State Rep. Rachelle Smit has been sworn in for her second term in office. Michigan’s 103rd legislative term began following Wednesday’s swearing-in ceremony.

Smit was elected by elected by her House colleagues to serve as speaker pro-tempore for the 2025-26 legislative session, making her 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.

The legislator represents the people of Michigan’s 43rd House District, which 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.

Prior to her election to the House of Representatives, Smit served as the Martin Township Clerk for seven years. Fueling her passion for election integrity. In the 2023-24 term, she served as the Republican vice chair of the House Elections Committee. Committee assignments for the 2025-26 term will be announced in the coming weeks.

“I look forward to continuing to serve the people and families within our corner of Michigan,” Smit said. “A new Republican majority means that no legislative proposals will advance past our chamber unless it reflects the conservative values of the people who elected this body. That’s a huge sigh of relief after the burdensome regulations, tax increases and government overreach plots that were imposed on the people while Democrats controlled both legislative chambers.”

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