Fierce competition emerges for Michigan battleground district’s open house seat.

Former State Senator Curtis Hertel Jr. Announces Campaign for Michigan’s 7th Congressional District

LANSING, Mich.—Exciting news in Michigan’s political landscape as former Democratic state Senator Curtis Hertel Jr. declares his candidacy for Michigan’s 7th Congressional District. This district is known to be one of the most fiercely contested House districts in the nation.

Hertel is not alone in this race. Republican Tom Barrett, another former state senator, has also announced his bid for the seat. Both candidates are vying for the position currently held by U.S. Representative Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), who herself is seeking Michigan’s open U.S. Senate seat.

Last year, Michigan’s 7th District witnessed one of the most expensive and closely watched races, with Slotkin emerging victorious over Barrett. Now, with the 2024 elections approaching, both major parties are gearing up for another intense battle to secure this battleground district.

A Legacy of Public Service

Hertel, who served in the state Legislature from 2015 to 2022, was personally recruited by Slotkin to run for the seat. With a strong family background in politics, Hertel brings a deep-rooted commitment to Democratic ideals and a willingness to work across party lines.

Speaking to The Associated Press, Hertel emphasized the importance of open debate and listening to different perspectives. He believes that finding common ground is essential to effectively address the needs of the people.

A Second Chance for Tom Barrett

Meanwhile, Tom Barrett is making his second attempt to secure the seat after losing to Slotkin by a margin of over 5 percentage points in the previous election. Barrett, a former Army serviceman, represented mid-Michigan in the state Legislature from 2015 to 2022.

In an interview with the AP, Barrett acknowledged the challenges he faced in his previous campaign, including a weak gubernatorial candidate at the top of the ticket and a significant fundraising disadvantage. However, he remains optimistic about his chances this time, expecting improvements in both areas.

Barrett recognizes the competitiveness of Michigan’s 7th District but believes that his past experiences have prepared him well for this high-profile congressional race.

A District of Contrasting Counties

Michigan’s 7th District underwent redistricting before the 2022 midterms, resulting in a diverse mix of Republican-dominated counties like Clinton and Shiawassee, as well as Democratic strongholds like Ingham, which houses the state Capitol and Michigan State University.

Slotkin’s comfortable victory in the previous election, despite initial expectations of a close race, has positioned her as a frontrunner to replace Democratic Senator Debbie Stabenow, who announced her retirement earlier this year.