# Kevin Hertel

Kevin Hertel is a Democratic member of the Michigan Senate for district 12.

- Party: Democrat
- Seat: Michigan Senate, district 12
- Serving since: 2023-01-01
- Current term: MI 2025–26 session
- Open States ID: ocd-person/cbfd5eae-d312-4498-a988-bcb52883f637

Source: https://americaspoliticalpulse.com/p/cbfd5eae-d312-4498-a988-bcb52883f637 (America’s Political Pulse, Polarization Research Lab), data through 2026-10-27. Data under CC BY 4.0. Cite as: Westwood, Sean J., and Yphtach Lelkes. 2024. America's Political Pulse [data set].

## Headline

11% of Hertel’s statements use bipartisan language, 3.4 times the State Senate Democrat average of 3.4%.

## What Hertel says (MI 2025–26 session)

279 classified statements: 279 posts on X. Each rate is the share of statements with the label, against the State Senate Democrats average; rank 1 is the highest rate.

| Label | Hertel | State Senate Democrats average | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal attacks | 1.8% | 2.4% | 109 of 329 |
| Policy criticism | 22.9% | 10.3% | 33 of 329 |
| Policy discussion | 64.9% | 42.9% | 35 of 329 |
| Bipartisanship | 11.5% | 3.4% | 15 of 329 |
| Credit claiming | 34.4% | 16.1% | 29 of 329 |
| Extreme labels | 0.0% | 0.8% | 228 of 329 |

Most discussed policy areas: Health 26% (State Senate Democrats 17%); Economics and Public Finance 13% (State Senate Democrats 10%); Education 11% (State Senate Democrats 15%); Crime and Law Enforcement 11% (State Senate Democrats 8.4%); Armed Forces and National Security 9.4% (State Senate Democrats 3.5%).

## Ideology (CSIP)

CSIP score −0.39 (standard error 0.01), from 3,021 donors and 1,467 roll calls. Negative is left of 0, positive right of it, on one scale for every official. 85% of State Senate Democrats score lower.

## Votes (MI 2025–26 session)

522 roll calls. Attendance 100% (Michigan Senate 95.5%). Party unity 97.9% (92.6%). 4 votes against the party majority.

Key votes:

- 2026-10-14 · voted yea · PASSED; GIVEN IMMEDIATE EFFECT ROLL CALL # 263 YEAS 31 NAYS 3 EXCUSED 4 NOT VOTING 0 · HB 5356 Vehicles: title; requirements for transfer of title by a dealer; provide for. Amends 14, 41a, 78, 217, 217c, 233, 233a, 233b, 234, 238, 239, 240, 248,… · pass · https://openstates.org/mi/bills/2025-2026/HB5356/
- 2026-10-01 · voted yea · ROLL CALL: ROLL CALL # 260 YEAS 34 NAYS 2 EXCUSED 2 NOT VOTING 0 · SB 947 Natural resources: inland lakes; dam safety regulations; provide for. Amends and adds (See bill). TIE BAR WITH: HB 5485'26 · pass · https://openstates.org/mi/bills/2025-2026/SB947/
- 2026-10-01 · voted yea · PASSED; GIVEN IMMEDIATE EFFECT ROLL CALL # 247 YEAS 34 NAYS 2 EXCUSED 2 NOT VOTING 0 · HB 5485 Natural resources: inland lakes; dam safety regulations; provide for. Amends secs. 31502, 31503, 31504, 31505, 31506, 31507, 31508, 31509, 31510,… · pass · https://openstates.org/mi/bills/2025-2026/HB5485/
- 2026-10-01 · voted yea · PASSED; GIVEN IMMEDIATE EFFECT ROLL CALL # 253 YEAS 36 NAYS 0 EXCUSED 2 NOT VOTING 0 · HB 4598 Crimes: organized; gift card fraud; provide for. Amends sec. 4 of 2012 PA 455 (MCL 752.1084). · pass · https://openstates.org/mi/bills/2025-2026/HB4598/
- 2026-10-01 · voted yea · PASSED ROLL CALL # 258 YEAS 33 NAYS 3 EXCUSED 2 NOT VOTING 0 · SB 791 Highways: memorial; portion of I-475; designate as the "St. John Street Community Memorial Highway". Amends 2001 PA 142 (MCL 250.1001 - 250.2092) by… · pass · https://openstates.org/mi/bills/2025-2026/SB791/
- 2026-10-01 · voted yea · PASSED; GIVEN IMMEDIATE EFFECT ROLL CALL # 248 YEAS 32 NAYS 4 EXCUSED 2 NOT VOTING 0 · HB 4703 Insurance: health insurers; coverage for group prenatal care services; require. Amends 1956 PA 218 (MCL 500.100 - 500.8302) by adding sec. 3406ss. · pass · https://openstates.org/mi/bills/2025-2026/HB4703/
- 2026-10-01 · voted yea · PASSED; GIVEN IMMEDIATE EFFECT ROLL CALL # 256 YEAS 35 NAYS 1 EXCUSED 2 NOT VOTING 0 · HB 5514 Children: other; prohibition of use of certain restraint while transporting youths to certain youth residential treatment programs; provide for.… · pass · https://openstates.org/mi/bills/2025-2026/HB5514/
- 2026-10-01 · voted yea · PASSED; GIVEN IMMEDIATE EFFECT ROLL CALL # 250 YEAS 36 NAYS 0 EXCUSED 2 NOT VOTING 0 · HB 4302 Vehicles: emergency vehicles; exception to commercial driver license for authorized emergency vehicles of Michigan Mutual Aid Box Alarm System;… · pass · https://openstates.org/mi/bills/2025-2026/HB4302/
- 2026-10-01 · voted yea · ROLL CALL: ROLL CALL # 259 YEAS 36 NAYS 0 EXCUSED 2 NOT VOTING 0 · SB 433 State agencies (existing): health and human services; educational materials regarding health dangers for youth using high-potency THC and cannabis… · pass · https://openstates.org/mi/bills/2025-2026/SB433/
- 2026-10-01 · voted yea · PASSED; GIVEN IMMEDIATE EFFECT ROLL CALL # 249 YEAS 36 NAYS 0 EXCUSED 2 NOT VOTING 0 · HB 4301 Vehicles: emergency vehicles; definition of authorized emergency vehicle; expand. Amends secs. 2 & 698 of 1949 PA 300 (MCL 257.2 & 257.698). TIE BAR… · pass · https://openstates.org/mi/bills/2025-2026/HB4301/

## Legislation (MI 2025–26 session)

Sponsored 56 bills: 56 reached committee, 36 passed one chamber, 5 passed both, 5 became law. Cosponsored 105. 64.3% of sponsored bills got out of committee (Michigan Senate 38.2%; rank 3 of 38).

Recent sponsored bills:

- SB 1187: Transportation: motor fuel tax; notice of gas tax rate change; amend requirements. Amends secs. 8 & 152 of 2000 PA 403 (MCL 207.1008 & 207.1152). (in committee, 2026-09-22) https://openstates.org/mi/bills/2025-2026/SB1187/
- SB 1185: Education: other; opportunities for school enrollment and transportation for children and youth experiencing homelessness; provide for. Amends secs. 1135 &… (in committee, 2026-09-22) https://openstates.org/mi/bills/2025-2026/SB1185/
- SB 1157: Human services: medical services; coverage for cranial hair prosthesis; provide for under certain circumstances. Amends sec. 109 of 1939 PA 280 (MCL 400.109). (in committee, 2026-09-10) https://openstates.org/mi/bills/2025-2026/SB1157/
- SB 1164: Aeronautics: unmanned aircraft systems; counter-unmanned aircraft systems strategy and coordinating council; establish. Creates new act. (in committee, 2026-09-10) https://openstates.org/mi/bills/2025-2026/SB1164/
- SB 1142: Human services: medical services; coverage for prosthetics; expand. Amends sec. 109 of 1939 PA 280 (MCL 400.109). (in committee, 2026-09-22) https://openstates.org/mi/bills/2025-2026/SB1142/
- SB 1136: Public employees and officers: compensation and benefits; public employer contribution to medical benefit plan; modify. Amends title & secs. 3, 4 & 5 of 2011… (passed one chamber, 2026-09-15) https://openstates.org/mi/bills/2025-2026/SB1136/
- SB 1132: Military affairs: other; Camp Grayling improvement fund; establish. Amends 1967 PA 150 (MCL 32.501 - 32.851) by adding secs. 388a, 388b, 388c, 388d, 388e &… (passed one chamber, 2026-10-06) https://openstates.org/mi/bills/2025-2026/SB1132/
- SB 1060: Occupations: mortuary science; licensing of funeral directors; modify. Amends secs. 1801, 1806a, 1806b, 1810 & 1859 of 1980 PA 299 (MCL 339.1801 et seq.);… (in committee, 2026-06-23) https://openstates.org/mi/bills/2025-2026/SB1060/
- SB 1062: Occupations: licensing fees; application fees for crematory facility and operator licenses; establish. Amends sec. 43 of 1979 PA 152 (MCL 338.2243). TIE BAR… (in committee, 2026-06-23) https://openstates.org/mi/bills/2025-2026/SB1062/
- SB 1061: Occupations: mortuary science; crematory facility and operator licenses; provide for. Amends sec. 1851 of 1980 PA 299 (MCL 339.1851) & adds art. 18B. TIE BAR… (in committee, 2026-06-23) https://openstates.org/mi/bills/2025-2026/SB1061/

## Campaign money (2026 cycle)

Itemized receipts $625.0K (State Senate Democrats median $55.5K). 73% of itemized individual money came from in state. Aggregates only; no individual donors.

## Recent statements

Newest first. Posts on X are listed by date and link only.

- 2025-10-03 · Post on X · https://x.com/Hertelforsenate/status/1974235873756479941
- 2025-08-23 · Post on X · labels: policy criticism, policy discussion · https://x.com/Hertelforsenate/status/1959051416401477778
- 2025-07-27 · Post on X · labels: policy discussion, bipartisanship, credit claiming · https://x.com/Hertelforsenate/status/1949488649177059584
- 2025-07-25 · Post on X · labels: policy discussion, credit claiming · https://x.com/Hertelforsenate/status/1948847302682067217
- 2025-07-24 · Post on X · https://x.com/Hertelforsenate/status/1948488239997719012
- 2025-07-09 · Post on X · labels: policy discussion, credit claiming · https://x.com/Hertelforsenate/status/1942954655731917233
- 2025-07-09 · Post on X · labels: policy discussion, bipartisanship, credit claiming · https://x.com/Hertelforsenate/status/1943050617913593864
- 2025-07-08 · Post on X · https://x.com/Hertelforsenate/status/1942703945635487884
- 2025-07-03 · Post on X · https://x.com/Hertelforsenate/status/1940873108849938765
- 2025-06-25 · Post on X · https://x.com/Hertelforsenate/status/1938022660325167561

## Links

- Official site: https://senatedems.com/hertel/
- Campaign site: https://kevinhertelforsenate.com/
- X: https://x.com/Hertelforsenate
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SenKevinHertel/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-hertel-404a7131/

Full profile, with every chart and the methods: https://americaspoliticalpulse.com/p/cbfd5eae-d312-4498-a988-bcb52883f637