The elections signaled a changing of the guard at the state capitol with new leaders being chosen to take the state forward for the coming years.

loading...

The Associated Press is reporting that 54 year-old Arlan Meekhoff, who sponsored one of Michigan's two right-to-work laws, is the new Senate Majority Leader.  He's replacing Jase Bolger who is leaving the Senate due to term limits.

House Republicans chose Kevin Cotter of Mount Pleasant as their new Speaker of the House.   Representative Al Pscholka of Stevensville also sought the speakership but withdrew his bid in exchange for the highly coveted position of chair of the House Appropriations Committee.

On the Democratic side, Representative Tim Greimel of Auburn Hills will remain the Democratic leader in the House.  Senator Jim Ananich of Flint was chosen to take over for Minority Leader Gretchen Whitmer of East Lansing, who is term limited.

Republicans will have a 63 to 47 member edge in the House come January.  The GOP will also have a 27 to 11 majority in the Senate.

Join Jo Anne Paul weekdays for news updates on 99.1 WFMK-FM, 100.7 WITL-FM and 1240 WJIM-AM and the other stations of the Michigan Talk Network
joanne.paul@townsquaremedia.com

More From 1240 WJIM AM