Brabec Wins Michigan Senate District 15 Seat
Democrat Felicia Brabec defeated Republican Jason Rogers in the race to succeed state Sen. Jeff Irwin in Washtenaw County.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Elections
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Felicia Brabec won the Michigan Senate District 15 race over Jason Rogers, receiving 76% of the vote to Rogers' 24% with more than 45% of the vote counted. Brabec succeeds state Sen. Jeff Irwin, D-Ann Arbor, in the district.
Why it matters
The seat was held by Democrat Jeff Irwin, and Brabec's win keeps the district in Democratic hands across Michigan's state Senate. Her background as a clinical psychologist and her prior service in state and county office position her to take over a district covering several Washtenaw County communities.
Brabec led Rogers 76% to 24% in unofficial returns with more than 45% of the vote counted at 10:42 p.m., according to the Associated Press and CBS News. Final totals were not available in the source material.
The players
Felicia Brabec
Brabec is a Democrat and clinical psychologist who previously served two terms in the Michigan House and nine years on the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners.
Jason Rogers
Rogers is the chair of the Washtenaw County Republican Party who lost the general election for the district.
Jeff Irwin
Irwin is the Democratic state senator from Ann Arbor whose seat Brabec will fill.
The details
Brabec, a clinical psychologist, served two terms in the Michigan House of Representatives and nine years on the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners. Rogers is chair of the Washtenaw County Republican Party, and Brabec had earlier won the Democratic primary on Aug. 4 over Michael White.
Timeline
Aug. 4, 2026: Brabec wins the Democratic primary over Michael White.
Nov. 3, 2026: General election in which Brabec defeats Jason Rogers.
January 2027: Brabec is expected to take office in the Michigan Senate.
Season Trajectory
The result continues Democratic control of Michigan Senate District 15, which covers parts of Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti and Pittsfield Township. Brabec's win follows the succession of Jeff Irwin, the Democrat who has represented the district and pushed for Ann Arbor-area priorities in Lansing.
Washtenaw County residents in the district will see a new state senator representing their communities starting January 2027. The change replaces Jeff Irwin with Brabec, a former county commissioner and state representative familiar with local issues.
The takeaway
Voters in Michigan's 15th Senate district chose a candidate with local government and legislative experience to replace a longtime Ann Arbor-area lawmaker. Residents who want to follow how that representation changes can track the Senate's session schedule once Brabec is sworn in.
What happens next
Brabec will take office in January 2027 when the new Michigan Senate term begins.
Further reading
Explore more coverage in Elections for context on how Michigan's state Senate races are shaping up.
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