Jim Runestad
Michigan State Senator, District 23 since 2018. Did not run for re-election in 2026; leaves office in January 2027.
- In office
- 7 yrs
- Since 2018
- Bills became law
- 0
- 25 sponsored, 2025–2026 session
- Votes missed
- 22.4%
- Chamber median 1.5%
- With party
- 95%
- On votes splitting the parties
- Last margin
- +18.8
- Won 2022
Source: Wikidata, congress-legislators and Open States; 99chambers legislative recordsUpdated Oct 27, 2026, 9:43 AM ET
Committees
As of 2026-10.
- Civil Rights, Judiciary and Public Safety · republican vice chair
- Administrative Rules
- Health Policy
Source: Open States committeesUpdated Oct 27, 2026, 9:43 AM ET
Legislation
Human services: fraud · Introduced Oct 2026
Family law: child support · Introduced Oct 2026
Vehicles: bicycles · Introduced Sep 2026
Civil rights: equal protection · Introduced Sep 2026
Law enforcement: other · Introduced Jul 2026
Source: Open States billsUpdated Nov 6, 2026, 4:22 PM ET
Voting record
Where Runestad sits in the Michigan State Senate
Runestad is closer to the center than 0% of the chamber's Republicans.
Closest: Thomas Albert, Jonathan Lindsey, Michele Hoitenga
Source: 99chambers roll-call scalingUpdated Nov 6, 2026, 4:53 PM ET
With Runestad’s party
- Votes with the chamber's Republicans95%
- Cosponsorships of the other party's bills24%
Black tick: the average of Republicans in the Michigan State Senate.
Source: 99chambers legislative scores from roll calls and cosponsorships
Key votes
Votes chosen for their effect, not their side: Runestad’s vote, each party’s majority, and the result. An orange vote differs from most Republicans.
| Date | Bill | Runestad | Rep. majority | Dem. majority | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 9, 2026 | HB 5482: State agencies (existing): generally; plans to correct audit recommendations; require… | Not voting | No | Yes | Passed 24–10 |
| Sep 9, 2026 | SB 729: State finance: authorities; outstanding obligations of the state building authority;… | Not voting | No | Yes | Passed 24–10 |
| Jul 3, 2026 | SB 1052: Human services: medical services; definition of kickbacks or bribes; modify. Amends sec.… | No | No | Yes | Passed 22–14 |
| Jul 3, 2026 | SB 569: Health: funding; various fees under the public health code; transfer and deposit into the… | No | No | Yes | Passed 21–15 |
| Jul 3, 2026 | HB 5630: Appropriations: school aid omnibus; fiscal year 2026-2027 appropriations for K-12 school… | No | No | Yes | Passed 25–11 |
Source: 99chambers key votes from Congress.gov, Voteview and Open States roll calls
Career
Offices held, and every time Runestad was on a ballot. Filled marks are general elections won; hollow marks are primaries; an orange outline is a loss.
Source: 99chambers results archive (MEDSL, Klarner, state election offices)
Elections
Margin against the seat’s presidential baseline: how the seat voted for president in the same or nearest year.
| Year | Race | Result | Margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Michigan State Senate, District 23 | Won | R+18.8 |
| 2018 | Michigan State Senate, District 15 | Won | R+3.4 |
| 2016 | Michigan House of Representatives, District 44 | Won | R+37.1 |
| 2014 | Michigan House of Representatives, District 44 | Won | R+35.6 |
Source: 99chambers results archive
Seats Runestad has held
- Michigan State Senate, District 23 · since 2022
- Michigan State Senate, District 15 · since 2018
- Michigan House of Representatives, District 44 · 2014–2018
Source: 99chambers results archive
Who Runestad has run against
- Una Hepburn (D) · 2022 general, won
- Julia Pulver (D) · 2018 general, won
- Mark Venie (D) · 2016 general, won
- Mark Venie (D) · 2014 general, won
Source: 99chambers results archive
How we know Runestad
One person, matched across every source we use.
- Open States ocd-person/e0a8928d-8ccc-4e1e-9ca5-d7f50642ff91
Source: Identity links: Wikidata, congress-legislators, Open States, FECUpdated Oct 27, 2026, 9:43 AM ET