Oakland County, Michigan

Michigan Senate District 8

2 candidates are tracked for Michigan Senate District 8 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Dayna Polehanki and Kenneth D. Massey. Candidate information follows official Oakland County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Dayna Polehanki was unopposed for the Democratic nomination and Kenneth D. Massey was unopposed for the Republican nomination, per official results certified by the Michigan Secretary of State; the nominees meet on the November 3 ballot.

What this office does

State legislator. State legislators write and vote on state laws and the state budget, which fund schools, roads, prisons, universities and health programs, and set the rules for local governments and elections. Each member represents one district and serves on committees that shape bills before a floor vote. Terms are two years in most state houses and four in most state senates.

Michigan › Oakland County › Michigan Senate District 8

Dayna Polehanki

Democratic

Top priorities

Improving early literacy, student safety and mental health, and teacher recruitment and retention
Raising wages and worker protections
Environmental protections, including clean air and water

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Dayna Polehanki is a sitting Michigan state senator serving her third and final term and a two-time Teacher of the Year at New Haven Community Schools, per her campaign site. The same site lists a master's degree in teaching from Central Michigan University and her role as Senate Majority Caucus Chair.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Kenneth D. Massey

Republican

Top priorities

Public safety and fiscal responsibility
Mental health advocacy
Economic opportunity for Farmington, Farmington Hills, Livonia, Novi and Northville

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Ken Massey worked nearly a decade as a paramedic before spending nine years at Pfizer in cardiovascular and inflammation research, per his campaign site. He holds a PhD in cardiovascular physiology from UT Southwestern Medical Center, now serves as Senior Director of Venture Development at Wayne State University, and served two decades on the Farmington Hills City Council, including as mayor from 2015 to 2019. Kenneth D. Massey appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the county clerk's certified candidate list.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Next on your ballotMichigan Senate District 9

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Voting info and more

Questions about this race

Who is running for Michigan Senate District 8 in 2026?

When is the Michigan Senate District 8 election in Michigan?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Michigan are on the Michigan election hub at theballotbrief.com.

How do I see my exact Oakland County ballot?

Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official Oakland County and state election office filings, last verified October 1, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

Cross-check with the official Michigan election office, or see the full Oakland County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Oakland County ballot

44 tracked races in Oakland County, Michigan. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

Also on your ballot

Michigan Senate District 10 Michigan Senate District 13 Michigan Senate District 22 See all 44 Oakland County races

Candidate profiles

Dayna Polehanki, full profile Kenneth D. Massey, full profile Official Michigan election office