GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — On Tuesday, the entire country was focused on the race for president — but another important race right here in Michigan will have a profound impact on the way things work in Lansing.

In 2022, Democrats in the state did something they hadn’t done for 40 years: They gained control of the House and Senate while simultaneously having a Democratic governor.

Tuesday’s election changed that. When the ballots were counted, the 56-54 majority that Democrats enjoyed in the House was wiped out, and when the Legislature returns in January, Republicans will be in charge of the lower chamber with a 58-52 advantage.

That means that there will be a new speaker of the House. On Thursday, the Republican caucus met to choose current Minority Leader Matt Hall, R-Richland Township, as the new speaker.

In a statement, Speaker-elect Hall said in part:

“The people of Michigan elected a new House Republican majority to put our state back on the road to success. Our focus will be on serving the people of our great state. Michiganders want safe neighborhoods, high-paying careers, effective schools, and secure elections. House Republicans are ready to get to work to make our state the best place to raise a family safely and affordably.”

Starting in January, Republicans will have the ability to try and exert pressure on the governor to get some of their priorities considered, as she will need their votes for anything that she wants to get passed. The first big test will be the budget, a process that for the last two years has been under total Democratic control.

But before any of that happens, there will be a “lame duck” session. That’s where currently elected representatives — those who either were defeated Tuesday or are term-limited — will join with their colleagues to consider any number of pieces of legislation, some in a last-ditch effort for members who are leaving. Democrats may be tempted to fund projects that they support, knowing that next session, they may have opposition from Republicans.

The process is generally rushed and sometimes produces uneven results. Still, that’s what will happen over the next few weeks, and if history serves as a guide, there will likely be a long late-night session that will culminate in new, as of now undefined, spending before the gavel is handed over.