Saginaw County, Michigan

Michigan Senate District 26

2 candidates are tracked for Michigan Senate District 26 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Brendan J. Johnson and Matthew Bierlein. Candidate information follows official Saginaw County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

This is an open seat: sitting Sen. Kevin Daley is not seeking re-election, and Republican nominee Matthew Bierlein is the sitting state representative for the 97th District, not this seat, per the Michigan Secretary of State's official resultss. 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 Senate District 26

Brendan J. Johnson

Democratic

Top priorities

Constituent services to help residents navigate state bureaucracy
Protecting the Healthy Michigan Plan and reforming auto insurance rates
Reforming public school funding

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Brendan J. Johnson grew up on his family's dairy farm in Fostoria, Michigan and holds an associate degree in computer programming from Delta College, per the campaign site. He describes his campaign as a grassroots, self-run operation with no hired staff or paid consultants, per the campaign site.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Matthew Bierlein

Republican

Biography

Matthew Bierlein is the sitting state representative for Michigan's 97th District, running for this Senate seat instead of re-election to the House; he co-owns a physical therapy practice in Vassar and previously served on the Tuscola County Commission, per the Michigan Secretary of State's official results. No campaign website was found as of September 6, 2026.

Next on your ballotMichigan Senate District 34

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Voting info and more

Questions about this race

Who is running for Michigan Senate District 26 in 2026?

When is the Michigan Senate District 26 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 Senate District 35 Michigan House District 71 Michigan House District 93 See all 27 Saginaw County races

Candidate profiles

Brendan J. Johnson, full profile Matthew Bierlein, full profile Official Michigan election office