U.S. House candidates in Michigan celebrated wins on a night where progressive candidates pushed back against establishment Democrats.
Results from Tuesday’s elections paint a picture of how the makeup of Congress will shake out in November as Democrats seek to take back the legislative chamber.
District 4
Michigan Sen. Sean McCann will face off against Rep. Bill Huizenga, in Michigan’s fourth congressional district.
Huizenga has criticized McCann for previous policies that raised taxes, including policies to raise Michigan’s gas and other energy-related costs.
“Michigan Democrat Tax Man [Sean McCann] has a long record of raising costs on hardworking Michiganders while lining his own pockets,” the National Republican Congressional Committee wrote. “He’s too extreme.”
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer endorsed McCann and said he would lower costs for residents.
“As a state senator, Sean McCann helped lower costs by cutting taxes for working families and seniors,” Whitmer wrote.
Huizenga has a significant fundraising advantage in the race with more than $2.2 million in cash on hand while McCann follows with more than $1.6 million in cash on hand, according to the Federal Elections Commission.
District 7
Progressive William Lawrence overcame controversy to secure the Democratic nomination against Rep. Tom Barrett.
“The mission is to beat Tom Barrett and send an unbought, independent-minded representative of mid-Michigan to Congress,” Lawrence wrote on social media.
Lawrence came under fire after his comments criticizing Black Democratic leaders surfaced. The Congressional Black Caucus condemned Lawrence’s remarks and called for other groups to stop supporting him.
Lawrence called for a one-year federal moratorium on AI data centers and to preserve game and wildlife areas. He overcame challenges from former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink and Navy SEAL Matt Maasdam.
In July, Barrett was one of four Republican lawmakers to vote against President Donald Trump’s continued military operations in Iran.
Barrett leads Lawrence with more than $2.8 million in cash on hand, compared to more than $380,000, according to the Federal Elections Commission.
District 8
Republican candidate Thomas Smith, who withdrew from the race but was still on the ballot, overcame Trump-endorsed Amir Hassan for the party’s nomination. He said he would return to face off against Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet, D-Mich., in November.
“I look forward to working with Speaker Johnson and the entire Republican team to expand our House majority and advance President Trump’s America First agenda,” Smith said in a statement.
Hassan said he “fell short” in a video posted to social media on Wednesday and that he was “disappointed but not defeated.”
“To all the winners yesterday, congratulations,” Hassan said. “I’m very excited for the top of our ticket and we will get out and vote.”
Michigan’s eighth congressional district leans in favor of Democrats, according to the Cook Political Report. McDonald Rivet has more than $4.2 million in cash on hand, according tot he Federal Elections Commission.
District 10
Christina Hines, a prosecutor, overcame challenges from two other Democrats to face off against Michael Bouchard in Michigan’s fifth congressional district, a seat vacated by John James, the Republican candidate for governor.
EMILYs List, a political network aimed at electing pro-choice Democratic candidates, congratulated Hines on her nomination Wednesday.
“A working mom, sexual assault prosecutor, and relentless advocate for her community, Christina has the experience, values, and coalition needed to win,” the network wrote in a statement. “This district is one of Democrats’ most promising flip opportunities this cycle, and Christina is exactly the kind of candidate who can win this seat.”
Michael Bouchard, a sheriff and Trump-endorsed candidate, has touted his record leading missions to secure the U.S.-Mexico border. He criticized the Biden administration’s border policies.
“The Army taught me that weak leadership has consequences and I’m ready to lead America back,” Bouchard said in an advertisement.
Bouchard leads in fundraising with more than $950,000 in cash on hand, compared to Hines with $150,000.
District 13
Democratic Socialist Donovan McKinney ousted Rep. Shri Thanedar, D-Mich., in the Detroit congressional district. McKinney will face off against Republican T.P. Nykoriak.
“Donovan is a former union member fighting to get money out of politics, a green new deal, and union jobs,” the Democratic Socialists of America wrote on social media.
McKinney fiercely criticized Thanedar, a billionaire, for his support of Israel and taking donations from corporations and PACs.
“I’m going to Congress to fight for Medicare for All, universal free childcare, getting big money out of politics, ending taxpayer-funded genocide, and delivering for working people every single day,” McKinney said.
Nykoriak, his Republican challenger, has sought office several times over the past decade. He was convicted of stealing more than $70,000 in U.S. savings bonds from a Michigan church in 2016.
He has focused his campaign on decriminalizing marijuana, ending qualified immunity for federal officers and protecting welfare programs, according to his website.
“Federal resources should be focused on violent crime, organized drug trafficking, fentanyl distribution, human trafficking, and international criminal organizations, not on individuals whose only federal offense involved simple marijuana possession,” his website reads.
McKinney joins a number of Democratic Socialists in U.S. House races across the country. Candidates in New York City and Denver are vying to represent the empowered group in Congress.
