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 44th House District:
The race
Republican state Rep. Steve Frisbie and Democratic challenger Jim Haadsma are running unopposed in the Aug. 4 primary election. They’ll face off in the general election on Nov. 3.
The district
Michigan’s 44th House District covers most of Calhoun County, anchored by Battle Creek, with Albion to the east and several townships in between. It’s home to roughly 89,000 people.
Haadsma held this seat for six years before Frisbie took it over in 2024—by a margin of only 79 votes and only after a contentious recount. That margin is about as close as it gets in Michigan politics, and it all but guarantees this race will be fought hard again in November.
Steve Frisbie (R)
Frisbie arrived in the legislature last year with an unusual background: 40 years as a paramedic and ambulance service administrator, 23 years as an adjunct professor at Kellogg Community College, and 13 years on the Calhoun County Commission—including as board chairman.
In his first term, Frisbie has been most active on roads, energy, and public safety. He co-sponsored a bipartisan road funding package directing fuel tax revenue to local roads, authored legislation to block local natural gas bans, and helped secure funding for police body cameras. He also authored the Stop the Bleed Act, drawing on his emergency services background to expand bleeding-control training in Michigan’s public schools. He serves on the House Finance Committee and is a founding member of the House Law Enforcement Caucus.
But Frisbie’s record raises real questions for voters who care about reproductive rights, clean energy, and the democratic process. In 2024, he received the endorsement of Right to Life of Michigan, an organization that supports abortion bans with no exceptions for rape or incest.
He is also among the state lawmakers actively pushing to repeal Michigan’s clean energy laws and he has a 0% score on the environment from the League of Conservation Voters.
On immigration, Frisbie also voted for a state House resolution that sought to block Michigan communities with so-called “sanctuary” policies from receiving additional state funding.
Frisbie’s campaign donors include DTE Energy, Consumers Energy, and the DeVos family. He has also appeared at events organized by Americans for Prosperity, the Koch-linked dark money network known for pushing anti-union, anti-regulation policy across the country.
During the 2024 recount, Frisbie filed a lawsuit to halt the re-tallying of absentee ballots. The Michigan Democratic Party said the suit would potentially disenfranchise thousands of voters. The recount ultimately confirmed his victory, increasing his official margin from 61 votes to 79.
Jim Haadsma (D)
Haadsma, a Battle Creek attorney who has lived in the community since 1994, is making his second run for this seat after losing it to Frisbie in 2024. He served three terms in the state House before that—from 2019 to 2024—representing what was formerly the 62nd District.
As a labor relations and workers’ compensation lawyer with 38 years in the field, Haadsma’s legislative record centered on economic issues facing working families, healthcare access, and public education. During his time in office, he was part of the caucus that passed expanded reproductive rights protections, the extension of the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to LGBTQ+ Michiganders, a major expansion of the Earned Income Tax Credit, and record school funding.
In 2024, Haadsma had the endorsement of Planned Parenthood and received an 88% score from the League of Conservation Voters—a sharp contrast with Frisbie on both counts. He has strong support from Michigan labor unions and has also received donations from DTE Energy.
Prior to serving in the legislature, Haadsma also served four terms on the Calhoun County Board of Commissioners and has been involved with a long list of community organizations, including the Battle Creek NAACP, the Salvation Army, and a local homeless shelter.
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 44th 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: ICE contractors fund Mike Rogers US Senate campaign in Michigan
Don’t miss Michigan’s biggest stories—follow The ‘Gander on Instagram.
