Republican incumbent Rep. Kathy Schmaltz is running for reelection in House District 46. 

Rep. Schmaltz says she will “prioritize reforming our education system including reducing class sizes, encouraging parents to be active partners with schools to have a voice in their child’s education, and ensuring every child will be able to read by the 4th grade.” According to her campaign website, Rep. Schmaltz is an advocate of parental choice, stating that “Kathy will work to provide parents with the ability to choose the best schools for their children.” 

Rep. Schmaltz has been endorsed by the Great Lakes Education Project, which supports school choice advocates. The Great Lakes Education Project (GLEP) was founded by and receives significant funding from the DeVos family. GLEP supports school voucher systems, which often take funding away from traditional public schools. 

Rep. Schmaltz voted against SB 173, the education budget that increased funding for Michigan’s public schools. Rep. Schmaltz joined a majority of Republican legislators in voting against the bill, which passed primarily with support from Democratic legislators. 

The Democratic candidate for House District 46 is Daniel J. Mahoney. Mahoney says he believes “in the power of literacy and education.” Mahoney has served as the Mayor of Jackson, Michigan since 2021, winning elections in 2021 and again in 2023. When he was first elected in 2021, Mahoney became the city’s first African American mayor. 

Mahoney is running to join the Michigan House Democratic caucus, which lists “investing in education for every kid” among their priorities. Among their specific plans for education if they retain their majority: funding public schools at “historic” levels and delivering pre-K for all four-year-olds in Michigan.