MICHIGAN—Every seat in the Michigan House of Representatives is on the ballot this November. The ‘Gander is profiling the races that could decide who controls Lansing.
Here’s what voters need to know ahead of Election Day in the 55th House District:
The race
Republican state Rep. Mark Tisdel and Democratic challenger Alex Hawkins are running unopposed in the Aug. 4 primary election. They’ll face off in the general election on Nov. 3.
The district
Michigan’s 55th House District covers the cities of Rochester and Rochester Hills and part of Oakland Township. It’s home to roughly 93,000 people.
The district has shown it can swing both ways: in 2024, voters here supported both Elissa Slotkin for US Senate and Tisdel for state House in the same election. That kind of ticket-splitting makes it a genuine battleground district heading into November.
Mark Tisdel (R)
Tisdel, a Rochester Hills resident since 1989, was first elected to the state Legislature in 2020 after serving eight years on the Rochester Hills City Council, including four as council president.
Before that, he spent more than two decades running an insurance agency specializing in medical liability. He studied journalism at Drake University and is a Port Huron native.
Now in his third term, Tisdel is the chairman of the state House Finance Committee and also serves on the Insurance, Health Policy, and Regulatory Reform committees. His legislative record includes a mix of bipartisan consumer protection work and conservative policy priorities.
He received the endorsement of the anti-abortion group Right to Life of Michigan in 2024 and has introduced legislation aimed at restricting late-term abortion—a rare procedure that typically occurs because of fetal anomalies or serious medical complications. He has since recognized that abortion rights are protected by Michigan’s constitution and said that he supports in-vitro fertilization treatment.
He also has a 19% score from the Michigan League of Conservation Voters, namely because of his efforts to repeal the state’s Clean Energy and Jobs Act.
On the bipartisan side, he authored legislation protecting online shoppers from scammers, pushed through a smartphone ban for K-12 schools, and recently introduced bipartisan legislation to clarify reimbursement standards under Michigan’s no-fault auto insurance system.
Tisdel has been a vocal proponent of data center development in Michigan, arguing the state’s cold climate, open land, and abundant water make it an ideal location for Big Tech. League of Conservation Voter records also show he has accepted $6,000 from corporate utility companies during his time in office—though those donations appear to have tapered off.
On immigration, he has raised concerns about state assistance going to immigrants and criticized Democratic lawmakers for blocking budget amendments restricting those payments.
His donors and endorsers include the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, the Small Business Association of Michigan, the Michigan Manufacturers Association, the Fraternal Order of Police, and US Rep. John James, the leading Republican candidate for governor in this year’s election.
He and his wife, Susan, have two kids and six grandchildren. On his campaign website, Tisdel encourages residents to contact him directly at mtisdel55@gmail.com or 248-329-0045.
Alex Hawkins (D)
Hawkins, is a Rochester-area native, a US Army veteran, an active National Guard explosive ordnance disposal officer, and an Oakland County Sheriff’s Office reserve deputy.
On his campaign website, he says his top goal is to “deliver practical, people-first solutions.”
He grew up in Waterford Township, raised by a single mother after his father died by suicide when Hawkins was 8. His grandfather, a Vietnam veteran, went on to serve as a Florida state legislator—an influence Hawkins has cited as a driver of his own desire to get into politics.
After active duty, Hawkins served as a congressional fellow for then-US Rep. Elissa Slotkin, working on constituent services and veterans’ casework, and briefly worked in US Sen. Gary Peters’ office. He’s currently completing a master’s degree in public administration.
Hawkins ran for the 55th state House seat in 2024, but lost the Democratic primary election. He then announced a run for Michigan’s 10th Congressional District in early 2025, challenging US Rep. John James, before pivoting back to the 55th state House race in September 2025.
His campaign largely centers on public school funding, healthcare access, housing affordability, and government accountability. He has spoken in support of labor unions, against local law enforcement entering contracts with ICE, and against Republican-backed proposals to eliminate property taxes, which he contends would strip a key source of funding for public schools.
Hawkins has been endorsed by Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan, EMILY’s List, VoteVets, former Congressman Mark Schauer, US Rep. Jason Crow, and a number of state House Democrats—including state Reps. Noah Arbit, Denise Mentzer, and Jason Morgan.
“Too many families feel like the system isn’t working for them. Alex is running to change that. He’s spent his life showing up when it matters—in uniform, in his community, and alongside people doing the hard work that keeps Michigan moving,” Hawkins’ campaign website states.
What’s at stake?
Control of the Michigan House of Representatives hangs on a handful of seats like this one.
Republicans hold a narrow majority there and Democrats need to flip some battleground districts if they want to regain the gavel in 2027. The 55th District is exactly the kind of race that will determine which party runs Lansing—and what gets done there—for the next two years.
Click here to make sure you’re registered to vote and to find your precinct. The only date that matters here: Nov. 3, 2026. Both candidates are running unopposed in the Aug. 4 primary.
READ MORE: How many AI data centers are planned in Michigan? We counted.
Don’t miss Michigan’s biggest stories—follow The ‘Gander on Instagram.
