U.S. Reps. Dingell and Stevens endorse Michigan Sen. Kristen McDonald Rivet for Congress • Michigan Advance

U.S. Representatives Debbie Dingell (D-Ann Arbor) and Haley Stevens (D-Birmingham) have endorsed Michigan State Senator Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-Bay City) for Michigan’s 8th Congressional District.

McDonald Rivet, who was elected to the Michigan Senate in 2022, has served as executive director of the Michigan Head Start Association, vice president of Michigan Future Inc., and president/CEO of Greater Midland, Inc. She launched her congressional campaign in January after U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee (D-Flint), who currently represents the district, announced that he would not run for re-election in 2024.

Kildee endorsed McDonald Rivet at a July 2 rally for his vacant seat, and Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer shared her support on social media in late June.

“State Senator Kristen McDonald Rivet has a proven record of fighting for the priorities that matter to Michigan families,” Dingell said in a statement. “She understands the importance of working together and listening to everyone to get the job done and improve the lives of Michiganders on issues from child care to education to investing in our workforce. I’m proud to support her and look forward to having her with us in the next Congress.”

According to the nonpartisan Cook Political Report, Michigan’s 8th Congressional District – considered crucial for control of the U.S. House of Representatives – is considered undecided.

In a statement, Stevens praised McDonald Rivet’s work in passing gun safety legislation as well as her fight for affordable child care and protecting abortion rights.

“In the most toxic workplace environment in the world, each of these women has demonstrated their ability to rise above partisan noise and get results for the people of Michigan,” McDonald Rivet said in a statement. “I am honored that they trust me to join them in Congress, where I look forward to working with them to make a difference on the issues that matter most to working families – lowering costs, raising wages and protecting our hard-won freedoms.”

In the Aug. 6 primary, McDonald Rivet will face Michigan State Board of Education President Pamela Pugh and former Flint Mayor Matt Collier. The Republican ballot includes Paul Junge, who previously served in U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Services under the Trump administration and ran unsuccessfully against Kildee in 2022, as well as former Dow Chemical executive Mary Draves and business owner Anthony Hudson.