It happened during the 87th session of the Michigan House, from 1993-1994.

It was called “shared power,” when the Democrats and Republicans each had 55 seats, which meant neither party had a majority to control the body. So one party ran the House one month and then the other party called the shots the next month.

And, lo and behold, to everyone’s surprise, the darn thing worked.

Could it happen again in 2021?

The naysayers in town may dismiss the idea as froth with too many “what ifs.”

However, the reality is the inside players are “concerned” and “looking at” the possibility that two elections involving Republican state senators could impact which political party runs the House next year.

It could be shared power all over again.

State Sen. Peter Lucido, of Macomb County, is running for local prosecutor. He could win.

State Sen. Peter MacGregor, of West Michigan, is running for Kent County clerk. He is expected to win.

That would reduce the GOP Senate control margin by two votes, and Majority Leader Mike Shirkey knows that will make it tougher to move his decidedly conservative agenda, because, if three of his members disagree with what he wants to do, he can’t pass his legislation without Democratic support.

But that’s another story.

The big enchilada is how those two senators could impact the control of the House if they leave the Senate, because, if they do, current members will scramble to move up to the upper chamber to fill those vacant seats, and that’s where the fun begins.

It’s felt that Reps. Mark Huizenga and Tom Albert would likely run for the MacGregor Senate seat, and Rep. Pam Hornberger and who knows how many other Republicans might run for the Lucido seat. And, assuming two Republicans win those Senate seats, they would leave the House, and that’s where party control emerges.

Depending on what happens at the polls in November, the Republicans’ margin of control could be reduced from the current 58-51 to something a lot closer.

If, for example, the Republicans win 56 seats, that would give the Democrats 54. However, if the governor calls a quick special election to fill the Senate seats and two House Republicans run for and win those seats, all of a sudden the House is 54 R’s and 54 D’s, with two vacant seats.

That would be shared power, and, depending on when the governor called a special election to fill those House seats, it would remain that way for who knows how long.

Far-fetched?

Of course.

But don’t kid yourself.

While nobody in either party has commented on this for public consumption, the wheels are grinding behind the scenes and a host of “what-if” scenarios are being contemplated, and nowhere more seriously than in Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s camp.

Hampered and frustrated more than she cares to admit, this governor has been battling a GOP-controlled Legislature since she took the oath. Now, out of the blue, she and House Democrats could regain control, which gives her tremendous leverage to bargain with the Senate Republicans.

If Mr. Shirkey wants anything passed, he would have to work with the governor even more, and House Democrats. Otherwise, he would get nada, because you can’t pass a bill in the Senate alone.

That look you see on the governor’s face is a huge smile as she contemplates all that, and they key decision she has to make is when to call a special election to fill the two vacant House seats. The longer she waits to do that, the longer she has the majority keeping the R’s awake at night.

As one inside player describes it, “it’s totally plausible … it’s on the radar, and there are concerns” on the GOP side of the equation.

As for the Democrats, they might not win five seats in November to take outright control, but the events outlined above, if they come to fruition, could see them in power until the governor decides to end it … if she does.