Michigan U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee on Tuesday formally weighed into the contest that will determine who succeeds him in Congress, backing state Sen. Kristen McDonald Rivet for the Democratic nomination for U.S. House in a key swing district.
“Over many months, I’ve watched a spirited primary take place, and it’s become increasingly clear to me that Kristen is the best candidate take us into a victory in November and to represent the district,” Kildee said during a Tuesday campaign rally at the United Auto Workers Region 1-D headquarters in Flint.
“She brings the same kind of pragmatic leadership and the bipartisan approach that is absolutely necessary if we’re actually going to get things done for the American people.”
The Kildee family holds considerable clout in the region having represented Michigan in Congress since 1977 and Dan Kildee for six terms, since 2012. In putting his stamp of approval on his pick to take his place, the Flint-area Democrat made it clear he’s aiming to keep the seat in Democratic hands.
“Michigan’s 8th District, as we know, is a district that can go either way. Our voice matters not just for us, but for the future of this entire country,” Kildee said. “There’s just so much at stake.”
Kildee noted that, if elected, McDonald Rivet would be the first woman to represent the region in Congress. The 8th District covers Genesee, Bay and Saginaw counties and portions of Midland County.
The battle for Kildee’s open seat is expected to be among the most competitive and expensive U.S. House races nationwide this fall, with handicappers like Cook Political Report rating it a tossup after Kildee announced his retirement in November.
Also running in the Democratic primary are former Flint Mayor Matt Collier ― who previously worked for Kildee’s late uncle, U.S. Rep. Dale Kildee as district director ― and Michigan State Board of Education President Pamela Pugh of Saginaw.
“When I look at our government and public leaders, honestly, I see too few Dan Kildees and far too many partisans, who seemed more interested in attacking our rights, and getting Twitter followers than actually getting things done for our communities,” McDonald Rivet told the crowd.
The mom of six on Tuesday got big applause from the union crowd in Flint for touting Democratic-controlled Michigan Legislature’s repeal of right to work laws in Michigan and an “unfair” state income tax on pension income. She called one of her potential Republican opponents in November, Paul Junge of Grand Ledge Township, a “trust fund millionaire from California.”
“Liberal establishment politician Kristen McDonald Rivet will say anything to distract from the fact that Paul Junge is the only candidate in this race who will stand with President Trump to stop illegal immigration and fight for the people instead of left-wing special interests,” Junge spokesman Jayden Rittenbury said in response.
“Paul is focused full-time on winning this election, because liberal activists like Mary Draves and Kristen McDonald Rivet will continue taking our country in the wrong direction.”
McDonald Rivet on Tuesday also touted her time leading Michigan’s Head Start program and leadership roles in the Michigan Department of Education and the Detroit-based Skillman Foundation.
She has led the Democratic field in fundraising, has previously been endorsed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, the UAW, AFL-CIO and EMILYs List and has the support of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which added her to its program to boost top recruits for the U.S. House.
Kildee had previously donated to McDonald Rivet’s campaign but hadn’t formally endorsed her.
