State Representative District 39
August 4, 2026 · State House District 39; Michigan · State house district · primary
How do we calculate vote impact?
Vote impact = representation (how much weight one vote carries here, the smaller the district's population, the higher the representation) + decisiveness (how likely this race is to be close, based on past results and number of candidates).
Representation: Average · 56 out of 100
This district is mid-sized for its type, so each vote carries average weight. About 90,921 people live here.
score = 100 × ln(largest population ÷ this district's) ÷ ln(largest ÷ smallest), rounded to 2 decimals = 100 × ln(95,071 ÷ 90,921) ÷ ln(95,071 ÷ 87,822) = 56.28, comparing state house districts in MI (grades: 66+ high, 33+ average, otherwise low)
Decisiveness: Unknown
No past results for this contest yet.
Average representation + unknown decisiveness → Average vote impact.
Some data is missing, so this rating is based on partial information and capped at "High".
This office is responsible for:
- Voting on state laws and the state budget
- Representing their district in the statehouse
- Serving on committees that shape bills before final votes
- Helping district residents deal with state agencies
Affected Areas: Environment and Public Health, Reduce Wealth Gap, Anti-Corruption, Government Efficiency, Healthcare Affordability, Government Spending Reduction, Public Safety and Crime Control, Housing Affordability, Social Programs and Welfare, Public Education Quality, Gun Control, Women's Reproductive Rights, Election Integrity, Personal Income Tax Reduction, Data Privacy, Civil Rights, Corporate Accountability, Public Infrastructure
Candidates
Bill Sage
Republican · declared
Bill Sage is a Republican candidate for the Michigan House of Representatives in District 39, challenging incumbent Pauline Wendzel in the August 2026 primary.
Records: Civil Rights 1 against
Kerry Tapper
Democratic · declared
Kerry Tapper is a Democratic candidate for the Michigan House of Representatives in District 39. She was the Democratic nominee for the district in 2024 and is running again.
Records: Women's Reproductive Rights 1 for
Pauline Wendzel
Republican · Incumbent · declared
Pauline Wendzel is a Republican member of the Michigan House of Representatives representing District 39 in southwest Michigan (Berrien and Van Buren counties). She is seeking re-election.
Zachary Shinabargar
Democratic · declared
Zachary Shinabargar is a Democratic candidate for the Michigan House of Representatives in District 39, running in the August 2026 primary.
Election sources
Source: mi-boe.entellitrak.com