Saginaw County, Michigan

Michigan House District 71

2 candidates are tracked for Michigan House District 71 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Stephen Schlaack and Brian BeGole. Candidate information follows official Saginaw County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Incumbent Republican Brian BeGole is seeking re-election. Democrat Brendan Johnson won the Democratic primary over Martin Cousineau, and Republican Matthew Bierlein won a five-candidate Republican primary, per the Michigan Secretary of State's official results. This contest is on the November 3, 2026 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 › Saginaw County › Michigan House District 71

Stephen Schlaack

Democratic

Top priorities

Bring back good-paying jobs and invest in road and bridge infrastructure
Protect farmland from corporate and foreign acquisition
Cap property tax appraisal increases and support housing affordability

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Stephen Schlaack worked in business management and procurement and in manufacturing at the Ovid Milk plant, per his campaign site. He grew up in Owosso, where his family operated a union printing shop, and is a graduate of Alma College. Stephen Schlaack appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Michigan House District 71, per the county clerk's certified candidate list.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Brian BeGole

Republican

Biography

Brian BeGole is the incumbent state representative for the 71st District who worked 32 years in law enforcement, including six years as Shiawassee County Sheriff, before taking office, per the Michigan House Republicans' official member page. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.

Next on your ballotMichigan House District 93

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Voting info and more

Questions about this race

Who is running for Michigan House District 71 in 2026?

When is the Michigan House District 71 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 Saginaw 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 Saginaw County and state election office filings, last verified October 2, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

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

The rest of your Saginaw County ballot

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

Also on your ballot

Michigan House District 94 Michigan House District 97 Judge of Court of Appeals, 4th District See all 27 Saginaw County races

Candidate profiles

Stephen Schlaack, full profile Brian BeGole, full profile Official Michigan election office