An election was held on November 3, 1992, to elect all 110 members of the Michigan House of Representatives for the 87th Michigan Legislature. The election resulted in an even 55–55 split of Democrat and Republican members in the chamber.

History In the 1990 general election, the Democrats increased their majority in the state House by one, resulting in a 61–49 partisan split over the Republicans. In January 1992, Democratic state representative Teola Pearl Hunter resigned to become deputy director of Wayne Count Health and Human Services. Republican Governor John Engler decided to hold the special election to fill Hunter's vacancy in the state House alongside the 1992 general election in November. In May 1992, Democrat Sal Rocca defected to the Republican Party, further decreasing the Democratic majority in the state House.

The 1992 primary election was held on August 4. There were six incumbents ousted in the primaries. They were Democrats Jerry Bartnik, Hansen Clarke, and Chester Wozniak, as well as Republicans Ralph Ostling, Alvin Hoekman, and Georgina F. Goss. These were the first elections following redistricting based on the 1990 census. Due to redistricting, three of the defeated incumbents, Bartnik, Clarke, and Hoekman, were ousted by other incumbents Lynn Owen, Joe Young Jr., and Jessie Dalman, respectively. Some primary races were close enough to trigger recounts. Incumbent Republicans Jack Horton and Richard D. Allen had their victories affirmed by recounts. Republican Roland Jersevic's one vote lead over Jerome E. Burns was raised to two after a recount, affirming his victory.

The general election was held on November 3. Initial unofficial results showed the Republicans winning a 56–54 in the state House, which would have been the first Republican majority in the chamber since 1968. Further results, however, showed that the election had produced an even 55–55 split of Democrats and Republicans in the state House. There were 6 close races that got recounts in the following districts: 21st, 29th, 47th, 94th, and 104th, and 106th. The recounts did not change the winners in any of the races, preserving the 55–55 split. There were five incumbents ousted in the general. One of them was incumbent speaker Lewis N. Dodak.

Following the election, Curtis Hertel was elected to lead the House Democrats, and Paul Hillegonds was re-elected to lead the House Republicans. On January 13, 1993, 109 of the 110 members of the state House were sworn in, one Democrat being absent. The same day, the state House ratified a power sharing agreement, and elected Hertel and Hillegonds as co-speakers of the state House. The two men would alternate serving as speaker every month.

Results The following are the official results from the 1993–1994 Michigan Manual.

Statewide Party Candi-dates VotesThere were mathematical errors in the official results printed in the Michigan Manual in the 45th district and the 86th district. Errors in the 45th district results have been preserved in this article and in the calculation of the statewide totals. Seats No. % No. +/– % Republican Party 110 1,864,434 49.78% 55 5 50.00% Democratic Party 97 1,844,326 49.24% 55 4 50.00% Independent 11 21,598 0.57% 0 0.00% Libertarian Party 12 10,185 0.27% 0 0.00% Tisch Independent Party 11 2,338 0.06% 0 0.00% Write-ins 1,583 0.04% 0 0.00% Workers World Party 2 583 0.01% 0 0.00%Total 236 3,745,047 100.00% 110 100.00%

By district

Special election A special election was held in the pre-redistricting, old 5th district of the Michigan House of Representatives on November 3, 1992, held alongside the general election. The special election was triggered by the resignation of Democrat Teola Pearl Hunter on January 17, to become deputy director of Wayne Count Health and Human Services. In late February, Speaker Lewis N. Dodak asked Engler to set a date for the special election, as Governor John Engler hadn't chosen one yet at that time. It took the Republican Governor John Engler five months after Hunter's resignation to select the special election date.

Triette Reeves (then Triette Lipsey) was an aide to Hunter. She defeated Thomas Bliznick in the Democratic primary, and then won the general election unopposed. She was sworn in on November 18. Because she didn't run in the general election, Reeves was only elected to serve in the state House for six weeks.

The following are the official results from the 1993–1994 Michigan Manual.

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