Kevin Hertel Officially Launches Re-Election Campaign for Michigan’s Most Competitive State Senate Seat

With a second term, Hertel will continue putting aside political games, finding common ground, and delivering solutions for his lakeshore community

ST. CLAIR SHORES, Mich. (March 6, 2026) — Alongside local leaders, community advocates, and supporters, Sen. Kevin Hertel (D-St. Clair Shores) officially announced his re-election campaign for Michigan’s 12th Senate District. During the event, Hertel reflected on the progress he made during his first term in the state Senate and laid out his vision for what he would do with a second and final term in the legislature’s upper chamber.

“Everything I do in public service comes back to the kind of future I want for my two boys and for families across our state. A future where they can grow up going to good schools, where we can afford to send them to college, and where they can get a good-paying job that allows them to buy a house and start their own family right here in Michigan,” said Hertel. “At a time when costs are climbing and politics feels more divisive than ever, that future can seem out of reach. But I believe that steady, solutions-focused leadership still matters and still delivers. With another four years in the Michigan Senate, I’ll keep putting people over politics to lower costs, expand opportunity, and give our lakeshore community the strong leadership they deserve.”

Hertel’s first bill introduced after being sworn in targeted the unfair Snyder-era retirement tax, ultimately helping repeal it to save seniors $1,000 per year. This effort marked the beginning of a broader affordability agenda designed to lower costs, cut taxes, and provide economic relief to those who need it most. Since then, Hertel has championed legislation to quintuple the Working Families Tax Cut; eliminate taxes on tips, overtime, and social security; lower child care costs and expand affordable preschool; and more.

Outside of his policy work, Hertel has also been highly successful as a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, bringing back state dollars to invest in projects throughout District 12 communities — from Grosse Pointe and Harper Woods to New Baltimore and Harsens Island. Of the more than $140 million he secured, $54 million was dedicated for Selfridge Air National Guard Base to make the updates necessary to successfully secure a future fighter mission. During his time in the legislature, Hertel also delivered nearly $100 million to build up the region’s crumbling water infrastructure and protect Lake St. Clair for future generations.

While political divisiveness grows both in Washington and Lansing, Hertel remains above the fray as he is focused on actually solving problems, not exploiting them for political gain. From affordability and health care access  to housing and public safety, Hertel plans on using a second term to find common ground and deliver solutions to tackle the issues facing Michigan families.

“There are too many challenges facing Michigan families for elected leaders to waste time on political games,” said Hertel. “In the state legislature, I’ve always been willing to work with anyone and everyone — Democrats and Republicans — if it means delivering real results. In a second term, I’ll continue to put problem-solving over partisanship, find common ground, and fight for common sense solutions that grow opportunity for the families who call Michigan home.”

Senate District 12 includes the communities of Grosse Pointe, Grosse Pointe Farms, Grosse Pointe Park, Grosse Pointe Shores, Grosse Pointe Woods, Harper Woods, St. Clair Shores, Harrison Township, a part of Clinton Township, Mount Clemens, Chesterfield Township, New Baltimore, Ira Township, Clay Township, and Algonac.

To learn more about Senator Kevin Hertel and his agenda to deliver solutions for Michigan families, visit KevinHertelForSenate.com.