State Rep. Martin Griffin (D-Jackson) has filed to run for the Michigan Senate’s 19th District seat, vacated by Battle Creek Democrat Mark Schauer, who was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in November.

Griffin, who served as the mayor of Jackson from 1995 to 2006, was first elected to the state House in 2006. So far, he is the only Democrat to enter the race. 

The filing deadline in May 12, with primary elections taking place Aug. 4. A special election to fill the Senate vacancy is scheduled to take place Nov. 3.

On the GOP side, former state Rep. Mike Nofs — who was term-limited out of his seat representing the 62nd District in November — appears to the frontrunner at this point.

Griffin currently represents the 64th House District, which includes the city of Jackson and Concord, Hanover, Napoleon, Parma, Pulaski, Sandstone, Spring Arbor and Summit townships in Jackson County. The 19th Senate District covers all of Calhoun County and a large portion of Jackson County, including the city of Jackson.

Chris Killian is a freelance journalist based in Kalamazoo and writes regularly for the Kalamazoo Gazette.