Camilleri elected Michigan Senate majority leader
Darrin Camilleri will become Michigan’s Senate majority leader in January, succeeding Winnie Brinks, who is moving into the lieutenant governor’s office. Republican senators selected Roger Hauck as their minority leader, and both men will begin their new roles in January.
Camilleri, 34, represents the 4th District and entered the Senate in 2022 after serving in the state House. He will be the youngest person in the nation to hold a state Senate majority leadership post and the first Latino to head Michigan’s Senate. He is also the first majority leader from Wayne County in more than 40 years.
Democrats’ victories in the 2026 elections gave them control of both legislative chambers and the governor’s office. Camilleri said voters wanted leaders to address the needs of working-class families and lower costs. He also said he was honored to lead the caucus for the next four years.
Hauck, a Mount Pleasant Republican who represents the 34th District, served three terms in the House before winning a Senate seat in 2022. He said he would seek common ground while opposing proposals he believes could raise costs or harm families. Hauck also cited challenges in jobs and education as areas where Michigan has fallen behind.
Brinks was elected lieutenant governor alongside outgoing Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. Her departure creates the opening Camilleri will fill as Democrats begin governing with control of the legislature and the governor’s office.
Camilleri takes Senate leadership as Democrats win governing trifecta
Michigan voters gave Democrats control of both legislative chambers and the governor’s office, and the party has chosen Darrin Camilleri to lead its Senate caucus. The new majority leader, who begins in January, says voters demanded action for working-class families and efforts to lower costs.
At 34, Camilleri will be the nation’s youngest state Senate majority leader and the first Latino to head Michigan’s Senate. He represents the 4th District and has served in the Senate since 2022, following a term in the state House. He will also be the first majority leader from Wayne County in more than 40 years.
Camilleri replaces Winnie Brinks, who is moving to the lieutenant governor’s office after being elected alongside Jocelyn Benson. The leadership change gives Democrats a new Senate leader as they take charge of the state’s legislative chambers and governor’s office.
Republicans selected Roger Hauck as minority leader. Hauck says he will look for common ground but plans to oppose proposals he believes would raise costs or hurt families. His pledge to resist parts of the new majority’s agenda sets up a contest over whether Michigan’s leaders will deliver the lower costs and promises Camilleri says voters want.
Both Camilleri and Hauck are scheduled to assume their roles in January.
Republicans prepare to challenge Michigan Democrats’ new Senate majority
With Democrats set to control Michigan’s legislature and governor’s office, Republican senators have chosen Roger Hauck to lead the minority and challenge the new majority. Hauck says Republicans will seek common ground but stand against proposals they believe could raise costs or hurt families.
Democrats elected Darrin Camilleri as Senate majority leader after winning majorities in both chambers in the 2026 elections. He replaces Winnie Brinks, who is moving to the lieutenant governor’s office. Camilleri said voters wanted action to lower costs and address working-class families’ needs.
Hauck, a Mount Pleasant Republican representing the 34th District, served three terms in the state House before joining the Senate in 2022. He has also pointed to jobs and education as areas where Michigan has fallen behind, and says Republicans are ready to offer a different path.
Camilleri, 34, represents the 4th District and previously served in the House. He will be the state’s youngest Senate majority leader and the first Latino to head Michigan’s Senate. He will also be the first majority leader from Wayne County in more than 40 years.
The two leaders begin their roles in January. Hauck’s stated commitment to oppose measures he considers harmful to families will put the new Democratic majority’s plans under scrutiny as it takes control of state government.
Reported by FOX 2 Detroit, CBS Detroit.
