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Aric Nesbitt
2023 - Present
2027
2
Aric Nesbitt (Republican Party) is a member of the Michigan State Senate, representing District 20. He assumed office on January 1, 2023. His current term ends on January 1, 2027.
Nesbitt (Republican Party) is running for election for Governor of Michigan. He declared candidacy for the 2026 election.[source]
Nesbitt was elected to serve as the State Senate Minority Leader for the 2023-2024 session. He was the state Senate president pro tempore for the 2021-2022 session.[1][2]
Nesbitt is a former Republican member of the Michigan House of Representatives, representing District 66 from 2011 to 2017. From 2015 to 2017, Nesbitt served as majority floor leader. He did not seek re-election to the Michigan House of Representatives in 2016 because he was term-limited.
Biography
Aric Nesbitt lives in Porter Township, Michigan.[3] Nesbitt graduated from Lawton Community High School in 1998. He earned a bachelor's degree in economics from Hillsdale College in 2001 and a master's degree in economics and business administration from the Norwegian School of Economics in 2005. Nesbitt's career experience includes working as a legislative director and senior policy advisor with the U.S. House of Representatives and the state coalitions manager with Americans for Tax Reform. He served as the Michigan Lottery Commissioner.[4]
Committee assignments
Note: This membership information was last updated in September 2023. Ballotpedia completes biannual updates of committee membership. If you would like to send us an update, email us at: editor@ballotpedia.org.
2023-2024
Nesbitt was assigned to the following committees:
- Senate Government Operations Committee, Minority Vice Chair
2021-2022
Nesbitt was assigned to the following committees:
- Advice and Consent Committee (decommissioned), Chair
- Senate Appropriations Committee
- Energy and Technology Committee (decommissioned)
- Finance Committee, Majority vice-chair
- Senate Government Operations Committee
- Insurance and Banking Committee (decommissioned)
- Senate Regulatory Reform Committee, Chair
2019-2020
Nesbitt was assigned to the following committees:
- Senate Appropriations Committee
- Insurance and Banking Committee (decommissioned)
- Energy and Technology Committee (decommissioned)
- Finance Committee, Vice Chair
- Senate Government Operations Committee
- Senate Regulatory Reform Committee, Chair
- Advice and Consent Committee (decommissioned)
2015 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, Nesbitt served on the following committees:
| Michigan committee assignments, 2015 |
|---|
| • Energy Policy, Chair |
2013-2014
At the beginning of the 2013 legislative session, Nesbitt served on the following committees:
| Michigan committee assignments, 2012 |
|---|
| • Commerce |
| • Energy and Technology, Chair |
| • Insurance |
| • Tax Policy |
2011-2012
In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Nesbitt served on the following committees:
| Michigan committee assignments, 2011 |
|---|
| • Education |
| • Energy and Technology |
| • Government Operations, Vice chair |
| • Tax Policy |
Sponsored legislation
The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.
Elections
2026
See also: Michigan gubernatorial and lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2026
General election
The general election will occur on November 3, 2026.
General election for Governor of Michigan
The following candidates are running in the general election for Governor of Michigan on November 3, 2026.
Candidate | ||
 | Jocelyn Benson (D) | |
 | Garlin Gilchrist II (D) | |
 | Marni Sawicki (D)  | |
| Chris Swanson (D) | ||
 | Mike Cox (R) | |
 | Joyce Gipson (R) | |
 | Anthony Hudson (R) | |
 | John James (R) | |
 | Tom Leonard (R) | |
 | Aric Nesbitt (R) | |
 | Evan Space (R) | |
| Karla Wagner (R) | ||
 | Mike Duggan (Independent) | |
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Endorsements
Ballotpedia is gathering information about candidate endorsements. To send us an endorsement, click here.
2022
See also: Michigan State Senate elections, 2022
General election
General election for Michigan State Senate District 20
Incumbent Aric Nesbitt defeated Kim Jorgensen Gane in the general election for Michigan State Senate District 20 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Aric Nesbitt (R) | 61.0 | 69,316 |
 | Kim Jorgensen Gane (D) | 39.0 | 44,403 | |
| Total votes: 113,719 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Michigan State Senate District 20
Kim Jorgensen Gane advanced from the Democratic primary for Michigan State Senate District 20 on August 2, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Kim Jorgensen Gane | 100.0 | 16,014 |
| Total votes: 16,014 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Republican primary election
Republican primary for Michigan State Senate District 20
Incumbent Aric Nesbitt defeated Austin Kreutz and Kaleb Hudson in the Republican primary for Michigan State Senate District 20 on August 2, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Aric Nesbitt | 67.2 | 24,691 |
| Austin Kreutz | 21.4 | 7,853 | ||
 | Kaleb Hudson | 11.4 | 4,172 | |
| Total votes: 36,716 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Campaign finance
2018
See also: Michigan State Senate elections, 2018
General election
General election for Michigan State Senate District 26
Aric Nesbitt defeated Garnet Lewis, Erwin Haas, and Robert Alway in the general election for Michigan State Senate District 26 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Aric Nesbitt (R) | 56.7 | 61,509 |
 | Garnet Lewis (D) | 40.1 | 43,495 | |
 | Erwin Haas (L) | 2.2 | 2,375 | |
| Robert Alway (G) | 1.1 | 1,153 | ||
| Total votes: 108,532 (100.00% precincts reporting) | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Michigan State Senate District 26
Garnet Lewis advanced from the Democratic primary for Michigan State Senate District 26 on August 7, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Garnet Lewis | 100.0 | 19,546 |
| Total votes: 19,546 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Republican primary election
Republican primary for Michigan State Senate District 26
Aric Nesbitt defeated Bob Genetski and Don Wickstra in the Republican primary for Michigan State Senate District 26 on August 7, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Aric Nesbitt | 51.1 | 16,529 |
 | Bob Genetski | 29.0 | 9,377 | |
| Don Wickstra | 19.9 | 6,443 | ||
| Total votes: 32,349 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Libertarian primary election
Libertarian primary for Michigan State Senate District 26
Erwin Haas advanced from the Libertarian primary for Michigan State Senate District 26 on August 7, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Erwin Haas | 100.0 | 218 |
| Total votes: 218 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2016
Elections for the Michigan House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election was held on August 2, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was April 19, 2016. Incumbent Aric Nesbitt (R) did not seek re-election because of term-limits.
Beth Griffin defeated Annie Brown in the Michigan House of Representatives District 66 general election.[5]
| Michigan House of Representatives, District 66 General Election, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican |  Beth Griffin |
54.26% | 22,024 | |
| Democratic | Annie Brown | 45.74% | 18,568 | |
| Total Votes | 40,592 | |||
| Source: Michigan Secretary of State | ||||
Annie Brown defeated Dylan Kerley in the Michigan House of Representatives District 66 Democratic primary.[6][7]
| Michigan House of Representatives, District 66 Democratic Primary, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | Annie Brown |
89.22% | 2,500 | |
| Democratic | Dylan Kerley | 10.78% | 302 | |
| Total Votes | 2,802 | |||
Beth Griffin defeated Greg Kolich and Matthew Nilson in the Michigan House of Representatives District 66 Republican primary.[6][7]
| Michigan House of Representatives, District 66 Republican Primary, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican | Beth Griffin |
60.70% | 5,476 | |
| Republican | Greg Kolich | 8.61% | 777 | |
| Republican | Matthew Nilson | 30.68% | 2,768 | |
| Total Votes | 9,021 | |||
2014
Elections for the Michigan House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election was held on August 5, 2014, and a general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was April 22, 2014. Annie Brown was unopposed in the Democratic primary. Incumbent Aric Nesbitt was unopposed in the Republican primary. Nesbitt defeated Brown in the general election.[8][9][10][11]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Aric Nesbitt Incumbent |
57.5% | 15,753 | |
| Democratic | Annie Brown | 42.5% | 11,646 | |
| Total Votes | 27,399 | |||
Endorsements
In 2014, Nesbitt's endorsements included the following:
- Right to Life of Michigan[12]
2012
Nesbitt won election in the 2012 election for Michigan House of Representatives District 66. He was unopposed in the August 7 Republican primary and defeated Richard Rajkovich (D) in the general election, which took place on November 6, 2012.[13]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Aric Nesbitt Incumbent |
58.6% | 22,997 | |
| Democratic | Richard Rajkovich | 41.4% | 16,276 | |
| Total Votes | 39,273 | |||
2010
Nesbitt won election to the District 80 seat in 2010. He defeated Douglas Harrington, Shelly Hartmann, Bob Linderman, William Queen and Frank Thompson in the August 3 Republican primary. He defeated Thomas Erdmann (D) in the general election on November 2, 2010.[14][15]
| Michigan House of Representatives, District 80 General election (2010) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | |||
| Aric Nesbitt (R)
|
15,492 | |||
| Thomas Erdmann (D) | 7,850 | |||
| Cheryl Evick (I) | 778 | |||
| Bill Bradley (L) | 722 | |||
Campaign themes
2026
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Aric Nesbitt has not yet completed Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey. Send a message to Aric Nesbitt asking him to fill out the survey. If you are Aric Nesbitt, click here to fill out Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey.
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2022
Aric Nesbitt did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.
2012
Nesbitt's website highlighted the following campaign themes:[16]
Putting Michigan Back to Work: Reforming Budgets, Regulations and Taxes
- Excerpt: "Aric supported legislation that created jobs by reforming our budget, tax and regulatory systems. This has included passing a balanced and sustainable budget that reforms government and makes it live within their means just like families across southwest Michigan have to do."
Making Michigan the World Hub for Energy
- Excerpt: "As a member of the House Energy and Technology Committee and Chair of the Subcommittee on Natural Gas, Aric continues to work to increase Michigan energy production, lower prices for families and businesses, while ensuring our environment is protected."
Protecting our Hometown Values
- Excerpt: "Growing up on a six generation family farm, Aric understands the importance of community and family. One of five kids, Aric supports the right to life and is the only candidate endorsed by Right to Life of Michigan."
Rebuilding our Roads and Infrastructure
- Excerpt: "For too long, our highways, roads, and bridges have been neglected. The investments needed to maintain the vast expanse of highways, bridges, and roads continue to grow."
Preparing our Children for a Brighter Future
- Excerpt: "Aric introduced legislation that would allow students and parents to have more options and greater control over a child's education. Under this legislation, students would be able to substitute courses in career and technical training for other requirements."
Presidential preference
2012
Aric Nesbitt endorsed Mitt Romney in the 2012 presidential election.[17]
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
Scorecards
A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.
Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.
Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of Michigan scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.
2024
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2024, click [show]. |
|---|
|
In 2024, the Michigan State Legislature was in session from January 10 to December 23.
|
2023
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2023, click [show]. |
|---|
|
In 2023, the Michigan State Legislature was in session from January 11 to November 14.
|
2022
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2022, click [show]. |
|---|
|
In 2022, the Michigan State Legislature was in session from January 12 to December 28.
|
2021
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2021, click [show]. |
|---|
|
In 2021, the Michigan State Legislature was in session from January 13 to December 31.
|
2020
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2020, click [show]. |
|---|
|
In 2020, the Michigan State Legislature was in session from January 8 to December 31.
|
2019
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2019, click [show]. |
|---|
|
In 2019, the Michigan State Legislature was in session from January 9 through December 31.
|
Tea Party Scorecard
The Independent Tea Party Patriots, a Michigan Tea Party group, grades the votes of this and every other Michigan legislator on “core tea party issues” in a regularly-updated scorecard. 100% is considered an ideal rating.[18]
January 2011 - March 2012
Aric Nesbitt received an 85% rating on the January 2011 - March 2012 Tea Party Scorecard.[18]
See also
2026 Elections
External links
|
Candidate Governor of Michigan |
Officeholder Michigan State Senate District 20 |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ Michigan Live, "‘Our agenda advocates for all Michiganders’: Meet the leaders of the 102nd legislature," November 25, 2022
- ↑ Michigan Senate, "Leadership," accessed January 22, 2021
- ↑ Senator Aric Nesbitt, "Meet Senator Nesbitt," accessed May 5, 2023
- ↑ LinkedIn, "Aric Nesbitt," accessed May 5, 2023
- ↑ Michigan Secretary of State, "2016 official general election results," accessed May 2, 2017
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Michigan Secretary of State, "2016 Michigan Candidate Listing," accessed April 22, 2016
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Michigan Secretary of State, "2016 Michigan Election Results," accessed August 2, 2016
- ↑ Michigan Secretary of State, "Representative in State Legislature," accessed August 6, 2014
- ↑ Michigan Secretary of State, "Representative in State Legislature," accessed December 5, 2014
- ↑ Michigan Secretary of State, "2014 Official Michigan Primary Candidate Listing," accessed May 27, 2014
- ↑ Michigan Secretary of State, "2014 Official Michigan General Candidate Listing," accessed September 8, 2014
- ↑ Right to Life of Michigan, "Elections," accessed June 18, 2014
- ↑ Associated Press, "Michigan - Summary Vote Results," accessed August 7, 2012
- ↑ Michigan Secretary of State, "State Representative," accessed March 23, 2014
- ↑ Michigan Secretary of State, "State Representative," accessed March 23, 2014
- ↑ "votenesbitt," Official Campaign Website
- ↑ Mitt Romney for President, "Mitt Romney Announces Support of Michigan Congressman Fred Upton, Congressman Tim Walberg and Additional Michigan Leaders," February 8, 2012
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 Michigan Votes, "Tea Party Scorecard Jan 2011-Mar 2012," accessed June 25, 2012
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Sean McCann (D) |
Michigan State Senate District 20 2023-Present |
Succeeded by - |
| Preceded by Tonya Schuitmaker (R) |
Michigan State Senate District 26 2019-2023 |
Succeeded by Kevin Daley (R) |
| Preceded by - |
Michigan House of Representatives District 66 2011-2017 |
Succeeded by - |
