ALPENA — The two lawmakers who represent Northeast Michigan in Lansing may have been adjourned early this year, but they said they’re still remaining engaged in their duties.

Typically, the state House and state Senate remain in session through mid-December or later.

This year, however, Democrats who control both chambers of the Legislature adjourned the state’s lawmaking body on Nov. 14 after temporarily losing their majority in the state House because a pair of Democrats won mayoral seats earlier this month. Democrats also adjourned early to allow the required 90-day recess to pass before the presidential primary election in February.

It will be weeks or months before they return to session.

State Rep. Cam Cavitt, R-Cheboygan, who represents Northeast Michigan, said that, although he isn’t in Lansing working, he has stayed busy updating and addressing issues with his constituents in the Alpena area and remains in communication with his legislative counterparts, too.

He said the process can be frustrating because Democrats pushed through some controversial bills and used the loss of their majority as an excuse to adjourn until they are likely to regain the majority after special elections in deep blue areas of the state.

“It is just frustrating, because it was a complete hit-and-run,” Cavitt said. “They passed these damaging bills and then just left Lansing. The speaker basically took his gavel and went home when he lost the majority.”

State Sen. Michele Hoitenga, R-Manton, who also represents Northeast Michigan, said the extended break will limit the damage Democrats’ policies create.

“With the direction we are going now, I think it’s better for the people of northern Michigan that we’re not in Lansing right now,” she said. “Right now, I feel we’re going in the wrong direction, and the Democrats’ actions don’t serve the people in my district.”

The early adjournment came after two Democratic representatives, Kevin Coleman and Lori Stone, won mayoral races in their districts. Their vacated seats leave a 54-to-54 tie between Democrats and Republicans in the state House, leaving any passage of legislation nearly impossible.

The two open seats will be filled by a special primary election on Jan. 30 and general election on April 16.

Democrats also say the early recess allows time to move the presidential primary to Feb. 27. Senate Republicans voted against the bill becoming effective immediately, which now requires a 90-day wait to become effective.

Last week, Democratic Speaker of the state House Joe Tate told the media that he is unsure exactly when the House will resume business, but he hopes it will be similar to this year, when lawmakers were called into session on Jan. 11.

“We’re going to be able to come back at the top of the year and get work done,” Tate, D-Detroit, told reporters.

Cavitt said he doesn’t believe that date is reasonable because of the upcoming elections to fill the vacant seats. He said it is possible Whitmer calls a special session, but he doesn’t believe that will happen because of the deadlock in the House.

Until he gets the word to return to Lansing, Cavitt said he will continue to work locally and connect with as many residents of Northeast Michigan as possible.

“I’m 100% using the time to connect with my constituents, because that is part of my job,” he said. “I’m hosting more office hours and attending a lot more township, city, and county meetings and learning more about what the people want us to do in Lansing. Connecting with people is the part of my job that I love.”

Hoitenga said she is also meeting with constituents, but also working with some of her comrades on policy they may pursue when they return to session.

She said that, when she was elected, she took an oath to serve the people in northern Michigan and she intends to fulfill her duty to them, even if there isn’t any official business happening in the state Capitol.

“This isn’t a vacation,” Hoitenga said. “This is a nonstop job, and I’m staying busy in my district.”