The Ballot Brief
St. Joseph County, Michigan

Michigan Senate District 17

2 candidates are tracked for Michigan Senate District 17 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Ashleigh Baker and Jonathan Lindsey. Candidate information follows official St. Joseph County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Ashleigh Baker (Democratic), Jonathan Lindsey (Republican) are on the November 3 ballot for Michigan Senate District 17; Jonathan Lindsey is the sitting member, per the Michigan Senate's official roster (senate.michigan.gov). Nominees were chosen at the August 4, 2026 primary, per the Michigan Secretary of State's official results; Michigan prints unopposed candidates rather than deeming them elected. This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your 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.

This race. Elected by district: only voters who live in the district see this race on their ballot. The sitting officeholder, Jonathan Lindsey, is on the ballot.

Michigan › St. Joseph County › Michigan Senate District 17

Ashleigh Baker

Democratic

Top priorities
  • Living wages, affordable childcare and tax relief for working people
  • Fully funded public schools and debt-free community college
  • Protecting healthcare coverage and lowering prescription costs

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Ashleigh Baker is the Democratic nominee for Michigan Senate District 17 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Michigan Secretary of State's official August 4, 2026 primary results. Baker, of Marcellus, is a Democratic candidate for the 17th Senate District, per VOTE411's voter guide. She is running for the open seat held by term-limited or contested representation in the district.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)
Jonathan Lindsey

Jonathan Lindsey

Republican Incumbent

Top priorities
  • Immigration enforcement and the rule of law, including his Deport Task Force legislation
  • Restoring what he calls commonsense absentee voting standards
  • Addressing medical debt and the state's housing shortage

Per the official Senate website.

Biography

Jonathan Lindsey is the Republican nominee for Michigan Senate District 17 on the November 3, 2026 ballot, per the Michigan Secretary of State's official August 4, 2026 primary results. Jonathan Lindsey is a sitting member for the district, per the Michigan Senate's official roster (senate.michigan.gov). Lindsey is the sitting state senator for the 17th District, which includes Berrien, Branch, Cass and St. Joseph counties and portions of Calhoun, Hillsdale and Jackson counties, according to his official Senate page. He has represented the district since January 2023 and is seeking reelection.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)
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Questions about this race

Who is running for Michigan Senate District 17 in 2026?

2 candidates are tracked for Michigan Senate District 17 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Ashleigh Baker and Jonathan Lindsey. Candidate information follows official St. Joseph County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

When is the Michigan Senate District 17 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 St. Joseph 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 St. Joseph County and state election office filings. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

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

The rest of your St. Joseph County ballot

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

See all 2 St. Joseph County races
Candidate profiles
Ashleigh Baker, full profileJonathan Lindsey, full profileOfficial Michigan election office