State Rep. Rachelle Smit (R-Martin) has been elected by her Michigan House of Representatives colleagues to serve as speaker pro-tempore for the 2025-26 legislative session.

Rep. Smit will be second in line in leadership of the 110 members of the legislative body. The speaker pro tempore presides over House proceedings, moderates debate, makes rulings on procedure and announces the results of votes in the absence of the Speaker of the House.

“It’s an honor to be selected by my fellow majority caucus members to help lead the House next session,” Smit said. “Our leadership team has a lot of work ahead of us to get Michigan back on the right track after two years of Democrat leadership, and we’re eager to hit the ground running in the new year. We are committed to creating dynamic policies that benefit families, workers, seniors, and students in every corner of Michigan.

“Michiganders have spoken loud and clear that they want representation that understands their real-life concerns, from addressing skyrocketing inflation to reining in government overreach. Our state is a beautiful place to live, but in recent years quality of life has suffered. This leadership team is about more than just rhetoric, we’re committed to advancing real policy solutions that promote economic prosperity, improve K-12 education and protect Michiganders’ individual freedoms.”

Since her election in 2022, Smit has been a fierce advocate for safeguarding the Second Amendment rights of Michiganders, improving the integrity of elections, reducing the size of government and responsible spending of taxpayer dollars.

Smit represents Michigan’s 43^rd House District.  She is currently the Republican vice-chair of the House Elections Committee and as a member of the Agriculture, Insurance, and Financial Services Committees. She previously served as the Martin Township clerk for seven years.

Her district encompasses most of Allegan County, including the cities of Allegan, Fennville and Wayland, and the townships of Fillmore, Manilus, Clyde, Overisel, Heath, Valley, Salem, Monterey, Dorr, Hopkins, Watson, Wayland and Martin. It also includes Barry, Yankee, Orangeville, Hope, Prairieville, Johnstown and Assyria townships in Barry County, Bellevue City and Township in Eaton County and part of Jamestown Township in Ottawa County.