Michigan is a key battleground state in the US elections, with 13 seats in the House of Representatives, 7 held by Democrats and 6 by Republicans. In the 2024 congressional elections, the Republicans plan to overturn 3 Democratic seats in Michigan, while the Democrats aim to flip a Republican district. The parties are fiercely competing in these 4 districts.
The National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) plans to target the 3rd, 7th, and 8th congressional districts in Michigan. Democratic groups are focusing on flipping the 10th district. Let’s take a look at the electoral situation in these districts based on various media reports.
The 2022 congressional redistricting pushed the 3rd district westward, capturing most of the areas along Lake Michigan, including Muskegon, along with the previous Grand Rapids and Grand Haven and suburbs, making the area more favorable to Democrats.
The current congresswoman is 42-year-old Democrat Hillary Scholten, challenged by Republican Paul Hudson, Libertarian candidate Alexander Avery, a truck driver, and Working Class Party candidate Louis Palus.
Scholten, a freshman congresswoman representing Michigan’s 3rd district in Congress since 2023, is seeking re-election for the first time in the 2024 elections.
In February of this year, as a rising star in the Democratic Party, Scholten had the opportunity to discuss abortion rights at a roundtable in Grand Rapids with Vice President Kamala Harris and Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. She explicitly supports abortion rights.
However, in July, Scholten called on President Joe Biden to not seek re-election in 2024, becoming the first in Michigan’s congressional delegation to do so, which may lead to retaliation from Biden’s campaign allies.
Regarding healthcare, Scholten stated that she will support policies that prohibit insurance companies from raising rates when people get sick, denying coverage for pre-existing conditions, or dropping coverage when people get sick.
On manufacturing, Scholten supports countering China’s monopoly threat to the supply chain. She said, “We need to invest in semiconductor manufacturing capacity in Michigan and confront China’s threat to our global supply chain, enabling us to control costs by manufacturing products in Michigan.”
On environmental issues, Scholten expressed her commitment to “reining in climate change before it’s too late” and “firmly defending our Great Lakes.”
Scholten holds a law degree from the University of Maryland. Earlier in her career, she served as a senior legal counsel at the Miller Johnson law firm in Detroit, a full-time attorney at the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center, and a legal clerk and attorney advisor at the U.S. Department of Justice’s immigration court.
Her husband is a university journalism professor, and they have two sons.
Paul Hudson, who has never held public office, is running for Congress with the slogan “Common sense for crazy times.” On his campaign website, Hudson describes himself as a “pragmatic, principled Republican” seeking common-sense solutions for the issues facing West Michigan and the country.
Hudson supports legislation like the “Restrict, Cut, Grow Act,” which aims to cut government spending by $4.8 trillion before the 2033 fiscal year. He also expressed commitment to extending the “Tax Cuts and Jobs Act” to allow individuals to keep more of their money.
Hudson emphasizes the need to reduce red tape and invest in education that meets our economic needs to advocate strongly for investment in West Michigan.
Regarding security, Hudson aims to “ensure border security, strengthen the rule of law in our cities and communities, and recommit to firm American leadership on the world stage.”
Hudson also stresses bipartisan cooperation based on common sense, as he believes extreme actions from both parties can derail the nation and advocates finding common ground to get back on track.
He holds a bachelor’s degree from Cornell University and a law degree from Georgetown University, and he has served in various roles, including as a lawyer, Chair of the 6th Circuit Court Rules Advisory Committee, member of the American Bar Association’s Appellate Practice Committee, and Chair of Diversity.
The current congresswoman in the district is Democrat Elissa Slotkin. In the 2024 elections, she decided not to seek re-election as a congresswoman and is running for Senate, leaving Michigan’s 7th congressional district as an open field.
Competing for the 7th district congressional seat are Democrat Curtis Hertel, Republican Tom Barrett, and Libertarian candidate Leah Dailey.
The district is described as “politically split down the middle” by Bridge Michigan. Governor Whitmer referred to it as a “microcosm within the microcosm of the nation.”
Hertel, who served as legislative affairs director under Governor Whitmer for a brief period and was a Michigan State Senator from 2015 to 2023, is running for the 7th district congressional seat starting in July after resigning in June 2023.
In the 2024 congressional elections, Hertel is focusing on improving the economy and lowering prices to make life more affordable for Michiganders. He emphasizes lowering costs to help people succeed and support families.
Hertel supports legalizing abortion and aims to protect women’s abortion rights while resisting efforts to limit women’s access to healthcare.
With a bachelor’s degree in social relations from Michigan State University, Hertel served two terms as the Clerk-Register of Deeds for Ingham County from 2008 to 2014 before holding elected office. His wife is the Director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
Tom Barrett ran as the Republican candidate for the district in the 2022 midterm elections, where he lost by a margin of 5.4 percentage points. Now he is running for the seat for the second time.
Prior to that, Barrett served in the Michigan Legislature, as a State Senator from 2019 to 2023 and State Representative from 2015 to 2019.
The NRCC lists Barrett as one of their supported 26 candidates in competitive districts as a promising young candidate.
In a statement to local media, Barrett emphasized national security, border security, neighborhood security, and economic security as his top priorities in running for Congress.
Barrett supports policies that can reduce inflation, including cutting government spending, lowering taxes, and incorporating “America First” into trade policy.
On border security, Barrett stresses the need to control illegal immigration by securing the border, building a border wall, and preventing deadly illegal drugs like fentanyl from flowing into the country.
He also highlights the importance of countering human trafficking, emphasizing the need for strong national security and proactive border protection.
Barrett believes that sound foreign policy and national security go hand in hand. He criticizes President Biden’s leadership in foreign affairs, calling for a different approach to protect U.S. interests on the world stage.
In an interview, Barrett identified abortion rights as a major factor in his 2022 electoral defeat, as the issue dominated the elections that year. With the absence of the abortion rights issue on Michigan’s ballot this year, he sees a better chance to succeed.
Barrett has a long military career, having served in the U.S. Army for 21 years after graduating from high school, with deployments in Korea, Guantanamo Bay, Kuwait, and Iraq, and later in the Michigan National Guard as a helicopter pilot until his retirement in 2022.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Economy from UC Berkeley, a master’s in Business Administration from Michigan, and a law degree from the University of San Diego. Barrett has worked in various roles, including military housing maintenance, a prosecutor, and a news anchor for Fox 47 TV in Central Michigan. During the Trump administration, he also worked at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Barrett emphasizes that his experience in diverse fields makes him a trustworthy advocate for Michigan residents and promises to stand up for conservative values in Washington.
In terms of economic policy, Barrett’s key agenda includes promoting fair trade, reducing regulations, and cutting taxes to stimulate economic growth. Improving the economy is at the forefront of his campaign.
Barrett pledges to champion for families, promote freedom and opportunities, and ensure the rights endowed by the Constitution for the American people.
He believes that Michigan voters are ready for a different voice in Washington and is eager to share perspectives that align with conservative values, advocating for a conservative voice in the state.
The current congressman in the district is Republican John James, challenged by Democrat Carl Marlinga. Other candidates running include Mike Saliba from the Leftist Party and Andrea Kirby from the Working Class Party.
This election is a rematch from 2022, where James narrowly defeated Marlinga with a 0.5% margin. James’s first term in Congress began in 2023, representing Michigan’s 10th congressional district following the 2022 redistricting.
Before entering Congress, James served as a company president in a family business that specialized in global supply chain management and logistics services. He is also a retired U.S. Army veteran, having flown Apache helicopters in over 750 combat hours during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
In his campaign, James underscores his military experience and commitment to defending freedom, highlighting the responsibility to uphold freedom and ensure future generations can enjoy the blessings of this great nation.
As an entrepreneur, James aims to reduce inflation, safeguard border security, and bolster the economy to address various challenges affecting Michigan residents.
James emphasizes his military background, portraying himself as a candidate who understands the sacrifices necessary to preserve freedom. He seeks to protect and preserve the American Dream for future generations, drawing inspiration from his family’s story of resilience and success.
James initially supported Ted Cruz in the 2016 elections and later became a supporter of President Trump. He expressed strong support for President Trump during his 2018 Senate campaign, promising to back the President 2000% if elected to the U.S. Senate.
James was also considered for the position of U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations under President Trump in late 2018 and early 2019.
He and his wife have three sons.
Carl Marlinga served as a judge at the 16th Circuit Court in Michigan since 2017 until his retirement in 2022. Before that, he worked as an assistant prosecutor and served as the Macomb County prosecutor for five terms.
Marlinga holds a bachelor’s degree from Detroit University and a law degree from the University of Michigan Law School.
In his congressional campaign, Marlinga highlights his experience as a prosecutor and judge, emphasizing his dedication to fighting for justice, fairness, and protecting victim rights. He pledges to continue this fight in Congress to ensure an equitable judicial system.
Marlinga’s campaign priorities include restoring women’s reproductive rights, defending environmental protection, and rebuilding America for financial security. He aims to protect sacred spaces like Lake St. Clair and the Great Lakes while advocating for fair and just policies.
In an interview with the Detroit Free Press editorial board, Marlinga expressed his motivation to run for Congress to protect democracy, particularly against Trump and the Republican Party. He stresses the need to save democracy from being hijacked by extreme forces and pledges to safeguard democratic values.
Marlinga, who also serves as an adjunct professor at Wayne State University, teaching constitutional criminal procedural law and the U.S. court system, promises to fight for equality, justice, and protecting victims’ rights in Congress.
He emphasizes the importance of protecting the Great Lakes and committing to clean water for future generations. Advocating for environmental protection, Marlinga pledges to strengthen environmental agencies and clean up water resources during his congressional tenure.
Each candidate in these competitive districts presents a different vision and approach to various issues, reflecting the diverse opinions and priorities of voters in Michigan. The outcome of these elections will not only determine local representation but also shape the policies and direction of the state in the coming years.