Candidates for Michigan’s 7th Congressional District enter the election campaign

In Brighton, the two major candidates for Michigan’s 7th Congressional District marched alongside their supporters in the annual Fourth of July parade.

Democrat Curtis Hertel says his campaign has made many stops to connect with voters. He says personal freedoms are a central issue in this upcoming election.

“The idea that reproductive rights have been taken away is something I think is very important to people,” Hertel said. He says people are afraid that Republican lawmakers might pass a national abortion ban, saying that would be a step backwards. “And that’s why we’re having conversations about that here, about cutting costs, fighting for lower prescription drug costs and tax cuts for the middle class here in America.”

Republican Tom Barrett ran for the seat in 2022 and was narrowly defeated. The 7th District seat is currently held by Democrat Elissa Slotkin. She is now running for
US Senate.

Barrett says voters tell him they are frustrated with the way things are going. He says they want the country to go in a different direction. Barrett says voters’ top priorities are “inflation and border security.”

Barrett says he is also concerned about national security and the stabilization of international politics. “Iran and other equal adversaries are getting stronger and bolder under this president. And we need a change of direction,” he said. “That’s why I’m running.”