HOWELL, Mich. — Democrat Kristen McDonald Rivet is projected to win Michigan’s 8th Congressional District, beating out Republican Paul Junge with 51.3% of the vote to his 44.6%.
Junge put up a strong fight in this quintessential Rust Belt district that covers Flint, Saginaw and Midland — and traditionally elects Democrats.
McDonald Rivet, a veteran of Michigan’s state senate, was able to hold on to the largely de-industrialized area that’s remained loyal to the Democratic Party for decades.
From 1977 to 2013 the district surrounding Flint (which has previously been labeled the 7th, 9th, and 5th District) elected Democrat Dale Kildee in every election cycle. When Dale retired, his nephew Dan threw his hat into the ring, and has served Michigan in Congress since 2013.
Junge told The Post in late September that Kildee’s retirement opened up an opportunity for the GOP to flip a historically blue area.
“For the first time in 50 years, essentially, we will not have a Kildee in Congress,” said Junge. “The name was well known and when I ran last time, I would run into people who said, ‘Hey, I’m a Republican, but I know Dan and I’m gonna vote for him.’”
Republican strategist Jason Roe told The Post the movement of blue-collar workers in this area towards Trump reflects a broader national trend.
“You have the realignment of the party coalitions and where you have the white working class very much being on the Republican side and a lot of inroads being made into the black working class,” Roe said.
“This seat is naturally competitive. It was less competitive with the Kildees, but as an open seat, there’s a real opportunity for Republicans. And if we don’t get it this time, I still think it’s going to continue to be one of the most coveted seats on the map moving into the future.”
Michigan’s 8th District is in many ways a microcosm of the state, with a high number of undecided voters who are willing to vote for Democrats and Republicans.
The candidates sparred over the issues of electric vehicle mandates, taxation, and immigration in their bid to win over voters throughout election season.
McDonald Rivet worked hard to hold on to the Democratic Party’s historic base of auto workers and union members, painting Junge as an out-of-touch carpetbagger from California.
“I am a lifelong Michigander, and my husband and I raised six kids right here in mid-Michigan, while my opponent is a California millionaire who does not understand our communities,” McDonald Rivet told The Post in October.
Junge also tried to woo the working class with a similar strategy, telling The Post, “This is really a General Motors area, but her personal vehicle is an Audi. She certainly works hard to portray herself as though she’s this gritty middle class woman. But I don’t think that describes her.”
