In a race that was too close to call Tuesday night, Elissa Slotkin has officially won in the 8th Congressional District, narrowly unseating two-term incumbent Republican Congressman Mike Bishop.
Bishop conceded defeat just after 1 a.m. Wednesday morning, although the Associated Press did not officially declare a winner until 10 a.m. Wednesday.
In a victory speech early Wednesday morning, Slotkin thanked Michigan's 8th District voters for driving home what she called "a historic victory."
“I want to say how deeply grateful I am to the people of the 8th District and everyone in this room,” Slotkin said. “We believed in a mission... and it is a mission to restore integrity to our politics."
“I stand in front of you today as a proud Midwestern Democrat," Slotkin stated. “We are practical, reasonable, independently minded. We are willing to work across the aisle to get something done. And we believe in our bones that all hardworking American families deserve a fair shake -- no more and no less. As Midwesterners, we will not wait for someone to do the job for us. We are going to teach those in Washington how to act.”
Slotkin thanked Rep. Mike Bishop and his family for their service to the 8th District, and Rep. Bishop called Slotkin to concede and congratulate her on her victory.
Slotkin, who served in the White House under both Republican and Democratic presidents, reached out to supporters of Rep. Bishop, pledging to be a congresswoman for the entire district. “I want to speak to the people who did not vote for me. Whatever your reason for not supporting me, I want you to know that it is my job to support you. We will not always agree, but I will always listen.”
Slotkin campaigned on a platform of defending protections for pre-existing conditions, making health care and prescription drugs more affordable, making a once-in-a-generation investment in water infrastructure and roads, and addressing the flood of corporate special interest money drowning out the voices of American voters.
This post was updated at 10:10 a.m. on Wednesday, November 7.
