Friend of recently deceased Michigan House candidate wins write-in primary campaign

Following the death of former Democratic Michigan state Rep. Tim Sneller, longtime associate Matt Schlinker launched an unlikely write-in campaign in a bid to continue his legacy.

With the support of Michigan’s 68th House District located in the eastern part of the state, Schlinker won the Democratic primary and will face incumbent Republican state Rep. David Martin in November.

Sneller died July 11 from heart disease, so close to the primary that absentee ballots with his name had already been sent out. He had been running unopposed, so his was the only name on the ballot after Schlinker failed to add his name to the ballot. Schlinker ran a write-in campaign with just over a week to go to the primary date.

Still, with no competition, he received 1,247 votes. Martin, on the Republican primary ballot, received 6,762.

Schlinker, who knew Sneller for decades through their mutual involvement in local campaigns, said he felt he needed to continue Sneller’s legacy.

"His commitment to civil rights and working families inspired many, and his vision for our future was one we were all eager to support," Schlinker wrote about Sneller in a Facebook post. "In light of this, I am stepping forward as a write-in candidate to continue the mission that Tim so passionately championed."

"It wasn't something that I wanted to do," Schlinker later said about his Michigan House run. "But Tim's death was something that took a lot of us by surprise, and we were just kind of sad that he was gone, and we wanted to have some way to continue what he was working on."

Michigan’s state House chamber is hotly contested. Democrats hold a 56-54 majority, and the 68th House District is a swing district that could help determine which party captures the majority in November.

Martin is running for his third state House term, his second in the 68th district after winning 54.7%-45.3% against Democrat Cheri Hardmon in 2022.

The Republican is the first from his party to represent the district, close to Detroit, since 1992.

Martin defended his record in a statement to the Detroit Free Press.

"My commitment has always been to stay connected with my constituents,” he said. "Whether it's visiting local businesses, holding regular office hours, attending community meetings, or knocking on thousands of doors, I am acutely aware of the needs and priorities of my district."

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Ultimately, Martin will be facing a political outsider in Schlinker, who has never run for a state office of this stature.

And, in an effort to continue Sneller’s legacy, Schlinker could help keep the state chamber for Democrats.