Michigan candidates to battle for competitive races

By Andrew Rice
The Center Square

Michigan voters will head to the polls on Aug. 4. to determine the outcome of primary races that could determine the balance of power in Congress in November.

Election analysts are projecting that several seats in Michigan are “toss ups,” which means either party has a decent chance of winning in the congressional district. Here is a look at some of the candidates vying for those seats.

District 7

Incumbent U.S. Rep. Tom Barrett, R-Mich., is seeking to retain his seat in Michigan’s seventh congressional district after flipping the seat in 2024.

On July 23, Barrett was one of four Republicans in the U.S. House who voted alongside Democrats to limit President Donald Trump’s military action in Iran.

“Congress has sole authority to decide when and how we go to war,” Barrett wrote on social media.

Barrett has supported other elements of the Trump administration’s agenda. He voted in favor of the “One Big Beautiful Bill,” legislation his Democratic competitors have sharply criticized.

Three Democrats are running to challenge Barrett in November. Bridget Brink, former member of the U.S. Foreign Service, Matt Maasdam, a former military aide to Barack Obama, and William Lawrence, a community organizer, are vying for the Democratic nomination.

Brink has pushed for extending Affordable Care Act subsidies, repealing the Big Beautiful Bill and capping insulin costs at $35.

“We’ve got to bring down the cost of health care and prescription drugs by taking on insurance and drug companies,” Brink’s website reads. “In 2025, Republicans voted to strip 25,000 people in our district of their health insurance, increase insurance premiums by up to 75%, and close rural hospitals and health care centers. This is unacceptable.”

Lawrence has focused his campaign on addressing environmental issues in Michigan. He called for a one-year federal moratorium on AI data centers and to preserve game and wildlife areas.

“Michigan’s water and farmland and our health are under attack from multi-national corporations, and too many politicians are afraid to stand up for Michiganders,” Lawrence’s website reads.

Lawrence came under scrutiny after comments criticizing Black Democratic political leaders. The Congressional Black Caucus condemned Lawrence’s remarks and called for others to stop supporting him.

Maasdam, who has been endorsed by U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich., who previously represented the district, has focused his campaign on rolling back Trump’s tariff policies and supporting affordable housing.

“When the Trump administration abuses their power, whether it’s deploying troops against civilians or putting themselves above the law, Matt will stand firm to protect the foundation of our democracy,” Maasdam’s website reads. “No president, no administration, and no political party is bigger than the Constitution.”

Barrett leads in fundraising with more than $2.8 million in cash on hand, followed by Brink with $841,000, Lawrence with $570,000 and Maasdam with $464,000.

Barrett has received $5,000 over the last year from the Republican Jewish Coalition PAC; $2,500 from the National Rifle Association and $2,000 from the American Airlines PAC.

Brink has received $1,000 from the American Security and Defense PAC; and $1,000 from the Leadership Opportunity Innovation Service PAC.

The Cook Political Report ranks Michigan’s seventh congressional race as a “toss up,” which means either major party could win the general election.

District 8

In another competitive district, U.S. Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet, D-Mich., is seeking a second term in the eighth district. She has focused her campaign on lowering healthcare costs and banning congressional members from stock trading.

She introduced a bill to completely ban congressional stock and prediction market trading, going a step further than other proposals that pushed to ban members of Congress from trading stock.

“No one in government should be using their position to enrich themselves while working people struggle, regardless of Party,” McDonald Rivet said.

Two Republican candidates are seeking to challenge McDonald Rivet in November. Amir Hassan, who was endorsed by President Donald Trump, has focused his campaign on advancing American technology to compete with foreign adversaries like China.

“It’s critical that we reinvest in the American workforce to better compete against China in this arena; promoting trades and incentivizing the restoration of blue-collar jobs here at home,” Hassan’s website reads.

Al Lemmo, a mechanical engineer, is also seeking the Republican nomination. Lemmo has focused his campaign on supporting anti-abortion policies.

He said he would fight to restrict taxpayer dollars from funding abortion services, and allow Michigan doctors to object from performing abortions.

“Al Lemmo is unapologetically pro-life and will fight in Congress to defend the unborn while standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Michigan mothers, children and families,” Lemmo’s website reads.

McDonald Rivet has a large lead in fundraising with more than $4.2 million in cash on hand, followed by Hassan with $104,000 and Lemmo with $200.

McDonald Rivet has received $3,000 over the last year from the Boeing PAC; $6,500 from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and $8,500 from the American Hospital Association PAC.

Hassan has received $8,500 over the last year from the Upper Hand Fund, a federal Leadership Political Action Committee associated with Rep. Bill Huizenga, R-Mich.

District 10

A slew of candidates from both parties have sought to fill the seat of Rep. John James, R-Mich., who opted to run for governor of Michigan.

Three Republicans are seeking the party’s nomination in Michigan’s 10th district. Michael Bouchard, an Army veteran, Steffan Demetropoulos, a project manager, and Justin Kirk are competing in the GOP’s primary race.

Demetropoulos has called for reducing the national debt and returning funds to the 10th district.

“We need to control spending, eliminate waste, and ensure taxpayer dollars are used responsibly — here at home, for the people who earned them,” Demetropoulos’ website reads.

Bouchard, who was endorsed by Trump, has focused his campaign on supporting the administration’s immigration enforcement efforts,

“I stand for finishing the wall, restoring the “Remain in Mexico” policy, and ending catch-and-release once and for all,” Bouchard’s website reads. “We must secure the border, stop the flow of illegal drugs, and deport criminal illegals who endanger our citizens.”

Kirk has pushed for trade school opportunities and funding in the education department and to partner with private businesses that can provide educational experiences for students.

“Model the educational framework of schools that lead the national rankings, such as our own Macomb International Academy, which ranks as a top school in the country,” Kirk’s website reads.

Eric Chung, Tim Griemel and Christina Hines are competing for the Democratic nomination for the 10th congressional district. Chung has pushed for restoring the child tax credit.

“President Trump promised us lower costs and more jobs. Meanwhile, Michigan families are paying $2,000 a year more for basic goods, the price of a new car is projected to go up $6,000, and 11,000 manufacturing jobs were lost in July,” Chung’s website reads.

Griemel and Hines support expanding tax credit opportunities and federal support of small businesses.

“America should lead the world in innovation in new technologies like artificial intelligence and blockchain, while setting responsible guardrails that protect families, workers, and hard-earned savings,” Hines’ website reads.

Bouchard leads the pack with more than $950,000 in cash on hand, followed by Chung with $621,000, Greimel with $328,000, Kirk with $238,000 and Hines with $158,000.

Bouchard has received $5,000 from the Buckeye PAC, Chung has received more than $2,000 from the Amalgamated Bank, and Griemel has taken in $1,500 from the Michigan Beer and Wine Sellers PAC.

Polls in Michigan will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Aug. 4. For more information and early election night poll results, visit thecentersquare.com/michigan.