Democrat Kristen McDonald Rivet on Tuesday clinched a victory in a closely contested battle for Michigan’s 8th Congressional District over Republican Paul Junge, a former immigration official in Donald Trump‘s previous presidential administration.
Political Impact of Rivet’s Victory
Rivet’s win is crucial for Democrats, as they defend control over Michigan seats amid an intense GOP drive to reclaim the House of Representatives.
This year’s race drew significant attention and funding, becoming one of the country’s most fiercely competitive. Rivet, a freshman state senator, now succeeds outgoing Representative Dan Kildee, a veteran Democrat who chose not to run again. Kildee’s legacy in Michigan politics is significant, as he took over from his uncle Dale Kildee, who represented the district for 36 years.
Meanwhile, Junge served in the first Trump administration as an immigration official. Republicans had hoped to flip the seat in their effort to retain control of the U.S. House and saw an opening with Kildee’s retirement.
Carlos Osorio/AP
Rivet’s campaign emphasized economic issues and her vision for a more inclusive Michigan, rallying a “broad and energized coalition” that resonated with mid-Michigan voters.
“I am humbled by the trust voters have put in me and honored to represent mid-Michigan in the U.S. House,” she said in a statement Wednesday.
While both campaigned on the economy and criticized the other’s career, the tossup race was expected to be one of the closest in the country.
Other Michigan Races
Across Michigan, incumbents held their ground. Republicans like Jack Bergman and Democrats including Rashida Tlaib all secured victories. Yet, it was the open seats in central Michigan, shaped by redistricting, that were the center of political drama.
Republicans did manage a gain, as Tom Barrett, a former state representative and senator, captured Michigan’s 7th Congressional District from Democrat Curtis Hertel Jr., flipping a seat that includes the state capital, Lansing.
The race was expected to be one of the closest in the country, and the candidates criticized each other over national issues such as reproductive rights and national security. Barrett tried to appeal to crossover voters with messaging on inflation, the economy and security at the southern border.
The outcome of the 7th district amplifies the stakes as both parties look to consolidate their influence in Michigan, a critical battleground in 2024.
3rd Congressional District
Meanwhile, in western Michigan, Democratic Representative Hillary Scholten secured her second term, a victory marking another Democratic foothold in the historically conservative region around Grand Rapids.
In 2022, Scholten became the first Democrat to represent the city of Grand Rapids in the House since the 1970s after the district was redrawn.
“I set out to build a new political home in West Michigan, and with this decisive victory, we’ve proven that what we made is built to last,” Scholten said in a statement posted to X (formerly Twitter).
Another close race came in Michigan’s 10th District, where Republican incumbent John James matched up against Democrat Carl Marlinga.
Marlinga lost by just 1,600 votes in 2022, and the district is now seen as increasingly competitive, reflecting Michigan’s fluctuating political landscape with suburban voters becoming a critical bloc in the broader struggle for control of Congress.
On Wednesday, The Associated Press called the race for James.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.
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