Michigan's 7th Congressional District

Michigan's 7th Congressional District

Incumbent

Tom Barrett

Assumed office: January 3, 2025

Michigan's 7th Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives is represented by Tom Barrett (R).

As of the 2020 Census, Michigan representatives represented an average of 775,726 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 707,973 residents.

Elections

2024

See also: Michigan's 7th Congressional District election, 2024

Michigan's 7th Congressional District election, 2024 (August 6 Democratic primary)

Michigan's 7th Congressional District election, 2024 (August 6 Republican primary)

General election

General election for U.S. House Michigan District 7

Tom Barrett defeated Curtis Hertel and L. Rachel Dailey in the general election for U.S. House Michigan District 7 on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Tom Barrett (R)	50.3	226,722
		Curtis Hertel (D)	46.6	209,959
		L. Rachel Dailey (L)	3.2	14,231

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 450,912
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Michigan District 7

Curtis Hertel advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Michigan District 7 on August 6, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Curtis Hertel	100.0	72,083

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 72,083
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Michigan District 7

Tom Barrett advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House Michigan District 7 on August 6, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Tom Barrett	100.0	63,399

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 63,399
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Libertarian convention

Libertarian convention for U.S. House Michigan District 7

L. Rachel Dailey advanced from the Libertarian convention for U.S. House Michigan District 7 on July 20, 2024.

		Candidate
✔		L. Rachel Dailey (L)

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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2022

See also: Michigan's 7th Congressional District election, 2022

General election

General election for U.S. House Michigan District 7

Incumbent Elissa Slotkin defeated Tom Barrett and L. Rachel Dailey in the general election for U.S. House Michigan District 7 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Elissa Slotkin (D)	51.7	192,809
		Tom Barrett (R)	46.3	172,624
		L. Rachel Dailey (L)	2.0	7,275

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 372,708
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Michigan District 7

Incumbent Elissa Slotkin advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Michigan District 7 on August 2, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Elissa Slotkin	100.0	77,826

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 77,826
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Michigan District 7

Tom Barrett defeated Jacob Hagg in the Republican primary for U.S. House Michigan District 7 on August 2, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Tom Barrett	96.0	75,491
		Jacob Hagg (Write-in)	4.0	3,108

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 78,599
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Libertarian convention

Libertarian convention for U.S. House Michigan District 7

L. Rachel Dailey advanced from the Libertarian convention for U.S. House Michigan District 7 on July 10, 2022.

		Candidate
✔		L. Rachel Dailey (L)

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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2020

See also: Michigan's 7th Congressional District election, 2020

General election

General election for U.S. House Michigan District 7

Incumbent Tim Walberg defeated Gretchen Driskell in the general election for U.S. House Michigan District 7 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Tim Walberg (R)	58.8	227,524
		Gretchen Driskell (D)	41.2	159,743

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 387,267
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Michigan District 7

Gretchen Driskell advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Michigan District 7 on August 4, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Gretchen Driskell	100.0	63,470

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 63,470
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Samuel Larson (D)
• Ryan William Hall (D)
• C.B. Smith (D)
• Samuel Branscum (D)

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Michigan District 7

Incumbent Tim Walberg advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House Michigan District 7 on August 4, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Tim Walberg	100.0	84,397

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 84,397
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Bruce Gidner (R)

2018

See also: Michigan's 7th Congressional District election, 2018

General election

General election for U.S. House Michigan District 7

Incumbent Tim Walberg defeated Gretchen Driskell in the general election for U.S. House Michigan District 7 on November 6, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Tim Walberg (R)	53.8	158,730
		Gretchen Driskell (D)	46.2	136,330

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 295,060
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Michigan District 7

Gretchen Driskell defeated Steven Friday in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Michigan District 7 on August 7, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Gretchen Driskell	85.2	52,430
		Steven Friday	14.8	9,083

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 61,513
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Michigan District 7

Incumbent Tim Walberg advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House Michigan District 7 on August 7, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Tim Walberg	100.0	69,248

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 69,248
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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2016

See also: Michigan's 7th Congressional District election, 2016

Heading into the election, Ballotpedia rated this race as a race to watch. Incumbent Tim Walberg (R) defeated Gretchen Driskell (D) and Ken Proctor (L) in the general election on November 8, 2016. Walberg defeated Doug North in the Republican primary on August 2, 2016.

U.S. House, Michigan District 7 General Election, 2016

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Tim Walberg Incumbent	55.1%	184,321
	Democratic	Gretchen Driskell	40%	134,010
	Libertarian	Ken Proctor	4.9%	16,476
Total Votes				334,807
Source: Michigan Secretary of State

U.S. House, Michigan District 7 Republican Primary, 2016

Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Tim Walberg Incumbent	75.2%	43,120
Doug North	24.8%	14,247
Total Votes		57,367
Source: Michigan Secretary of State

2014

See also: Michigan's 7th Congressional District elections, 2014

The 7th Congressional District of Michigan held an election for the U.S. House of Representatives on November 4, 2014. Incumbent Tim Walberg (R) defeated challengers Pam Byrnes (D), Ken Proctor (L), Rick Strawcutter (UST) and David Swartout (I) in the general election.

U.S. House, Michigan District 7 General Election, 2014

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Tim Walberg Incumbent	53.5%	119,564
	Democratic	Pam Byrnes	41.2%	92,083
	Libertarian	Ken Proctor	2%	4,531
	U.S. Tax Payers Party	Rick Strawcutter	1.4%	3,138
	Independent	David Swartout	2%	4,369
Total Votes				223,685
Source: Michigan Secretary of State

General election candidates

• Tim Walberg - Incumbent a
• Pam Byrnes
• Ken Proctor
• Rick Strawcutter
• David Swartout

August 5, 2014, primary results

Republican Primary

• Tim Walberg - Incumbenta
• Douglas Radcliffe North

Democratic Primary

• Pam Byrnesa

2012

See also: Michigan's 7th Congressional District elections, 2012

The 7th Congressional District of Michigan held an election for the U.S. House of Representatives on November 6, 2012. Incumbent Tim Walberg won re-election in the district.

U.S. House, Michigan District 7 General Election, 2012

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Kurt R. Haskell	43%	136,849
	Republican	Tim Walberg Incumbent	53.3%	169,668
	Libertarian	Ken Proctor	2.5%	8,088
	Green	Richard Wunsch	1.1%	3,464
Total Votes				318,069
Source: Michigan Secretary of State, "Official Election Results, 2012 General Election"

Primary results

Republican Primary

Michigan's 7th Congressional District Republican Primary, 2012

Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Tim Walberg Incumbent	76%	45,590
Dan Davis	24%	14,386
Total Votes		59,976

Democratic Primary

Michigan's 7th Congressional District Democratic Primary, 2012

Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Kurt Haskell	66.7%	18,811
Ruben Marquez	33.3%	9,371
Total Votes		28,182

2010
On November 2, 2010, Tim Walberg won election to the United States House. He defeated incumbent Mark Schauer (D), Scott Eugene Aughney (U.S. Taxpayers), Greg Merle (Libertarian), Richard Wunsch (Green) and Danny Davis (Write-in) in the general election.

U.S. House, Michigan District 7 General Election, 2010
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Tim Walberg	50.2%	113,185
	Democratic	Mark Schauer incumbent	45.4%	102,402
	U.S. Taxpayers	Scott Eugene Aughney	1.6%	3,705
	Libertarian	Greg Merle	1.4%	3,239
	Green	Richard Wunsch	1.4%	3,117
	Write-in	Danny Davis	0%	21
Total Votes				225,669

2008
On November 4, 2008, Mark Schauer won election to the United States House. He defeated incumbent Tim Walberg (R), Lynn Meadows (Green), Ken Proctor (Libertarian) and Sharon Renier (Write-in) in the general election.

U.S. House, Michigan District 7 General Election, 2008
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Mark Schauer	48.8%	157,213
	Republican	Tim Walberg incumbent	46.5%	149,781
	Green	Lynn Meadows	3%	9,528
	Libertarian	Ken Proctor	1.8%	5,675
	Write-in	Sharon Renier	0%	89
Total Votes				322,286

2006
On November 7, 2006, Tim Walberg won election to the United States House. He defeated Sharon Marie Renier (D), Robert Hutchinson (Libertarian), David Horn (U.S. Taxpayers) and Joe Schwarz (Write-in) in the general election.

U.S. House, Michigan District 7 General Election, 2006
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Tim Walberg	49.9%	122,348
	Democratic	Sharon Marie Renier	46%	112,665
	Libertarian	Robert Hutchinson	1.5%	3,788
	U.S. Taxpayers	David Horn	1.5%	3,611
	Write-in	Joe Schwarz	1.1%	2,614
Total Votes				245,026

2004
On November 2, 2004, Joe Schwarz won election to the United States House. He defeated Sharon Marie Renier (D), David Horn (U.S. Taxpayers), Jason Seagraves (G) and Kenneth Proctor (L) in the general election.

U.S. House, Michigan District 7 General Election, 2004
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Joe Schwarz	58.4%	176,053
	Democratic	Sharon Marie Renier	36.3%	109,527
	U.S. Taxpayers	David Horn	3%	9,032
	Green	Jason Seagraves	1.3%	3,996
	Libertarian	Kenneth Proctor	1%	3,034
Total Votes				301,642

2002
On November 5, 2002, Nick Smith won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Mike Simpson (D) and Ken Proctor (L) in the general election.

U.S. House, Michigan District 7 General Election, 2002
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Nick Smith incumbent	59.7%	121,142
	Democratic	Mike Simpson	38.6%	78,412
	Libertarian	Ken Proctor	1.7%	3,515
Total Votes				203,069

2000
On November 7, 2000, Nick Smith won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Jennie Crittendon (D), Perry Spencer (Reform), Robert Broda, Jr. (L), Steve Cousino (U.S. Taxpayers) and Gail Anne Petrosoff (Natural Law) in the general election.

U.S. House, Michigan District 7 General Election, 2000
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Nick Smith incumbent	61.1%	147,369
	Democratic	Jennie Crittendon	35.7%	86,080
	Reform	Perry Spencer	1%	2,359
	Libertarian	Robert Broda, Jr.	0.9%	2,158
	U.S. Taxpayers	Steve Cousino	0.8%	1,878
	Natural Law	Gail Anne Petrosoff	0.5%	1,159
	N/A	Write-in	0%	7
Total Votes				241,010

1998
On November 3, 1998, Nick Smith won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Jim Berryman (D), Kenneth Proctor (L) and Lynnea Ellison (Natural Law) in the general election.

U.S. House, Michigan District 7 General Election, 1998
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Nick Smith incumbent	57.5%	104,656
	Democratic	Jim Berryman	40.1%	72,998
	Libertarian	Kenneth Proctor	1.5%	2,684
	Natural Law	Lynnea Ellison	1%	1,789
Total Votes				182,127

1996
On November 5, 1996, Nick Smith won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Kim Tunnicliff (D), Robert Broda, Jr. (L) and Scott Williamson (Natural Law) in the general election.

U.S. House, Michigan District 7 General Election, 1996
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Nick Smith incumbent	55%	120,227
	Democratic	Kim Tunnicliff	42.9%	93,725
	Libertarian	Robert Broda, Jr.	1.4%	3,090
	Natural Law	Scott Williamson	0.7%	1,471
	N/A	Write-in	0%	31
Total Votes				218,544

1994
On November 8, 1994, Nick Smith won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Kim McCaughtry (D), Kenneth Proctor (L) and Scott Williamson (Natural Law) in the general election.

U.S. House, Michigan District 7 General Election, 1994
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Nick Smith incumbent	65.1%	115,621
	Democratic	Kim McCaughtry	32.3%	57,326
	Libertarian	Kenneth Proctor	1.9%	3,311
	Natural Law	Scott Williamson	0.7%	1,223
	N/A	Scattering	0%	19
Total Votes				177,500

1992
On November 3, 1992, Nick Smith won election to the United States House. He defeated Kenneth Proctor (L) in the general election.

U.S. House, Michigan District 7 General Election, 1992
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Nick Smith	87.6%	133,972
	Libertarian	Kenneth Proctor	12.3%	18,751
	N/A	Write-in	0.1%	145
Total Votes				152,868

1990
On November 6, 1990, Dale Kildee won re-election to the United States House. He defeated David Morrill (R) in the general election.

U.S. House, Michigan District 7 General Election, 1990
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Dale Kildee incumbent	68.4%	90,307
	Republican	David Morrill	31.6%	41,759
	N/A	Write-in	0%	2
Total Votes				132,068

Redistricting

2020-2021

See also: Redistricting in Michigan after the 2020 census

Michigan’s congressional district boundaries became law on March 26, 2022, 60 days after the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission (MICRC) published its report on the redistricting plans with the secretary of state. On December 28, 2021, the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission (MICRC) approved what was named the "Chestnut" map by a vote of 8-5. Two Democrats, two Republicans, and four nonpartisan members voted to approve the plan with the five remaining commissioners in favor of other plans. As required, "at least two commissioners who affiliate with each major party, and at least two commissioners who do not affiliate with either major party" voted in favor of the adopted map.

The MICRC was established after voters approved a 2018 constitutional amendment that transferred the power to draw the state's congressional and legislative districts from the state legislature to a redistricting commission. Under the terms of the amendment, "Within 30 days after adopting a plan, the commission shall publish the plan and the material reports, reference materials, and data used in drawing it, including any programming information used to produce and test the plan." The adopted plan becomes law 60 days after the MICRC publishes that report.

Beth LeBlanc of The Detroit News wrote that, “Unlike other congressional maps the commission had to choose from, Chestnut was set apart by its inclusion of Grand Rapids and Muskegon in the same district, its grouping of Battle Creek and Kalamazoo and its ability to keep Jackson County whole, instead of breaking off part of the county into an Ann Arbor area district.” According to Clara Hendrickson and Todd Spangler of the Detroit Free Press, "According to three measures of partisan fairness based on statewide election data from the past decade, the map favors Republicans. But those measures also show a significant reduction in the Republican bias compared to the map drawn a decade ago by a Republican legislature, deemed one of the most politically biased maps in the country. One of the partisan fairness measures used by the commission indicates Democratic candidates would have an advantage under the new map." This map took effect for Michigan’s 2022 congressional elections.

How does redistricting in Michigan work? In Michigan, a non-politician commission is responsible for drawing both congressional and state legislative district plans. The commission comprises 13 members, including four Democrats, four Republicans, and five unaffiliated voters or members of minor parties. In order for a map to be enacted, at least seven members must vote for it, including at least two Democrats, two Republicans, and two members not affiliated with either major party.

The Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission prepared this document specifically explaining the redistricting process after the 2020 census.

Michigan District 7
until January 2, 2023

Click a district to compare boundaries.

Michigan District 7
starting January 3, 2023

Click a district to compare boundaries.

2010-2011

This is the 7th Congressional District of Michigan after the 2001 redistricting process.

See also: Redistricting in Michigan after the 2010 census

In 2011, the Michigan State Legislature re-drew the congressional districts based on updated population information from the 2010 census.

In redistricting, The Hill published a list of the Top Ten House Members who were helped by redistricting. Tim Walberg ranked 6th on the list. The article notes that Tim Walberg lost the district to centrist Mark Schauer (D) in 2008. He then beat Schauer in a rematch by 5 points in 2010. The redistricting process, controlled by Republicans, made sure to cut Schauer’s home base out of the district and made it a few points more Republican. According to the article, Schauer said that he would not run for a rematch because of the new map.

District analysis

See also: The Cook Political Report's Partisan Voter Index

See also: FiveThirtyEight's elasticity scores

2026

Heading into the 2026 elections, based on results from the 2024 and 2020 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district is EVEN. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were about the same as the national average. This made Michigan's 7th the 220th most Republican district nationally.

2024

Heading into the 2024 elections, based on results from the 2020 and 2016 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district was R+2. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 2 percentage points more Republican than the national average. This made Michigan's 7th the 211th most Republican district nationally.

Daily Kos calculated what the results of the 2020 presidential election in this district would have been following redistricting. Joe Biden (D) would have defeated Donald Trump (R) 49.4%-48.9%.

2022

Heading into the 2022 elections, based on results from the 2020 and 2016 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district was R+2. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 2 percentage points more Republican than the national average. This made Michigan's 7th the 210th most Republican district nationally.

Daily Kos calculated what the results of the 2020 presidential election in this district would have been following redistricting. Joe Biden (D) would have received 49.4% of the vote in this district and Donald Trump (R) would have received 48.9%.

2018

Heading into the 2018 elections, based on results from the 2016 and 2012 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district was R+7. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 7 percentage points more Republican than the national average. This made Michigan's 7th Congressional District the 176th most Republican nationally.

FiveThirtyEight's September 2018 elasticity score for states and congressional districts measured "how sensitive it is to changes in the national political environment." This district's elasticity score was 1.12. This means that for every 1 point the national political mood moved toward a party, the district was expected to move 1.12 points toward that party.

See also

• Redistricting in Michigan
• Michigan's 7th Congressional District election, 2024
• Michigan's 7th Congressional District election, 2022
• Michigan's 7th Congressional District election, 2020
• Michigan's 7th Congressional District election, 2018

External links

• GovTrack District 7

Footnotes

[show]

Michigan's current delegation to the United States Congress

Senators

Gary Peters (D)

Elissa Slotkin (D)

Representatives

District 1

Jack Bergman (R)

District 2

John Moolenaar (R)

District 3

Hillary Scholten (D)

District 4

Bill Huizenga (R)

District 5

Tim Walberg (R)

District 6

Debbie Dingell (D)

District 7

Tom Barrett (R)

District 8

Kristen Rivet (D)

District 9

Lisa McClain (R)

District 10

John James (R)

District 11

Haley Stevens (D)

District 12

Rashida Tlaib (D)

District 13

Shri Thanedar (D)

Democratic Party (8)

Republican Party (7)