New: U.S. Reps. Dingell and Stevens endorse Michigan Sen. Kristen McDonald Rivet for Congress

From L-R: U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell, state Sen. Kristen McDonald Rivet and U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens | Photos by Andrew Roth and the Michigan Senate

U.S. Reps. Debbie Dingell (D-Ann Arbor) and Haley Stevens (D-Birmingham) have endorsed Michigan State Sen. Kristen McDonald Rivet’s (D-Bay City) bid to represent Michigan’s 8th Congressional District. 

McDonald Rivet, who was elected to the Michigan Senate in 2022, served as the 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 he would not seek reelection in 2024. 

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

“State Senator Kristen McDonald Rivet has a proven track 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 make life better for Michiganders, on issues ranging from child care to education to investing in our workforce. I’m proud to endorse her and look forward to having her join us next Congress.”

According to the nonpartisan Cook Political Report, Michigan’s 8th Congressional District — which is considered critical for control of the U.S. — House is listed as a “toss up.” 

In a statement, Stevens praised McDonald Rivet’s work to pass gun safety legislation, and for fighting for affordable childcare and protecting abortion rights. 

“In the world’s most toxic work environment, each of these women has proven their ability to rise above partisan noise and deliver results for Michiganders,” McDonald Rivet said in a statement. “I am honored that they trust me to join them in Congress, where I look forward to working together to make a difference in the issues that matter most to working families – lowering costs, raising wages, and protecting our hard-earned freedoms.”

On the Aug. 6 primary ballot, McDonald Rivet will face Michigan State Board of Education President Pamela Pugh and former Flint Mayor Matt Collier. The Republican ballot features Paul Junge, who previously worked in U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services under the Trump Administration and unsuccessfully ran against Kildee in 2022; former Dow Chemical Executive Mary Draves; and business owner Anthony Hudson. 

The post New: U.S. Reps. Dingell and Stevens endorse Michigan Sen. Kristen McDonald Rivet for Congress appeared first on Michigan Advance.