State Rep. Jason Hoskins, a Southfield Democrat, is running for Michigan Senate District 7 in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election. Republican Anthony Paesano is also seeking the four-year seat, according to Michigan’s official candidate list.
The district includes Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills and Bloomfield Township, according to the Detroit Regional Chamber’s 2026 election guide.
Hoskins responded to the Birmingham-Bloomfield Bulletin candidate questionnaire on Oct. 6. Unless otherwise noted, the information and responses below come from that questionnaire.
Asked why he is running, Hoskins pointed to affordability, housing, voting rights and jobs.
“As State Representative, I’ve been fighting to lower costs, expand housing opportunities, protect voting rights, and create good paying jobs for Michigan’s families,” he said.
“This work is far from over,” he added.
Candidate information
Party: Democratic.
Residence: Southfield.
Education: Hoskins said he earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree in public administration from Eastern Michigan University, followed by a law degree from the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law.
Family and background: Hoskins grew up on Detroit’s east side and graduated from Cass Technical High School.
“I am the son of two union parents — my father an electrician and my mother a federal employee,” he said. His mother is now retired.
Experience and public service
Hoskins represents Michigan’s 18th House District and has served in the House since 2023.
He previously served on the Southfield City Council from 2019 to 2022, according to the state’s legislative biography.
Before holding elected office, Hoskins worked for former state Rep. Rudy Hobbs and state Sen. Jeremy Moss.
“I began my public service career working for former State Representative Rudy Hobbs and later in the office of State Senator Jeremy Moss, helping residents navigate government and advancing policies that strengthened transparency and economic development,” he said.
Hoskins said his legislative experience includes chairing the House’s economic development committee and working on affordable housing, small businesses and civil rights protections.
Asked what distinguishes him from other candidates, he emphasized his experience working with others on legislation.
“I’ve spent my career fighting for quality healthcare, affordable housing, and to bring good-paying jobs into our communities,” he said.
On the issues
Cost of living and housing: Hoskins identified household costs as the most pressing issue facing Michigan residents.
“I believe that costs are too high and Michiganders are being made to literally pay the price,” he said.
He said his priorities include increasing affordable housing and helping first-time homebuyers.
“As State Senator, I’ll support and work to pass legislation that further increases our affordable housing supply and makes the current supply more affordable, specifically for first-time homebuyers,” he said.
Early childhood education and family support: Hoskins said he supports expanding the Great Start Readiness Program to serve more 3- and 4-year-olds, reducing barriers to opening child care centers and expanding Rx Kids statewide.
Schools and infrastructure: Asked how he would set budget priorities, Hoskins said schools and infrastructure should come first.
“Deferred maintenance and underfunded classrooms cost us more over the long term, in repairs, lost talent, and slower growth, than we gain via short-term budgetary surpluses,” he said.
Accountability for public spending: Hoskins said government programs should undergo regular public reviews to determine whether they deliver results.
“I believe that government programs should be judged based on their results and efficacy, with regular public reviews, and that we should reinvest in what works rather than defending what doesn’t,” he said.
Long-term financial stability: When resources are limited, Hoskins said he favors investments that reduce future costs, including early childhood education, preventive health care and stable housing.
“I would also protect economic stability by keeping healthy reserves and not using one-time money for recurring costs,” he said.
Endorsements
The Michigan Education Association’s 2026 candidate recommendations include Hoskins for Senate District 7.
Advice that guides him
“Leadership is sometimes disappointing people at a rate they can absorb,” Hoskins wrote.
This profile draws primarily on Jason Hoskins’ responses to the Birmingham-Bloomfield Bulletin candidate questionnaire, with additional information from state records, the Detroit Regional Chamber and the Michigan Education Association. Responses have been excerpted and paraphrased; direct quotations retain his wording.
