Martus defeats Duvendeck, returns for second term in state House District 69

tate Rep. Jasper Ryan Martus has won a second term representing the 69th District in the Michigan House of Representatives, according to unofficial results.

The Associated Press called the race for Martus early on Wednesday, Nov. 6, with 79% of the vote counted.

The Flushing Democrat had collected more than 57% of the vote at the time of the projection while Republican challenger Patrick Duvendeck, also of Flushing, had nearly 43%.

Neither candidate had faced a primary challenger in the race to represent the district that includes Flint Township, Swartz Creek, Flushing, Clio, Mt. Morris and Montrose areas.

Martus won the state House seat in 2022, taking 56% of the vote and defeating Republican Jesse Couch and Libertarian Adam Blake Childress in the general election.

Martus previously worked as a staffer for U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee, D-Flint Twp., and as a communications advisor for Michigan Democrats in the state House.

Duvendeck also ran for state House in 2016 in the old 49th District, losing a close Republican primary to Jeremy A. Baker by a final margin of 595-571.

He is a small business owner and worked for 41 years at General Motors in roles ranging from electrician to manager.