In Brighton, the two major candidates competing for Michigan’s 7th Congressional district marched in the annual 4th of July Parade, joined by supporters.
Democrat Curtis Hertel said his campaign has been making lots of stops to connect with voters. He said personal freedoms are a key issue in this upcoming election.
“The idea that reproductive rights have been taken away, I think is really important to people,” said Hertel. He said people are scared that Republican lawmakers could issue a national abortion ban and said that’s backward progress. “And so we’re out here having conversations about that, about lowering costs, fighting for lower prescription drug costs, and middle class tax cuts 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
U-S senate.
Barrett said voters tell him they are frustrated with the way things are going. He said they want to see the country take a different direction. Barrett said voters top priorities are "inflation and border security.”
Barrett said he’s also concerned about national security and stabilizing international politics. “Iran and other near-peer adversaries are getting stronger and more emboldened under this president. And we need a change in direction,” he said. “That’s why I’m running.”
