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Michigan's 11th Congressional District election (August 7, 2018 Democratic primary)

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Michigan's 11th Congressional District
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Democratic primary
Republican primary
General election
Election details
Filing deadline: April 24, 2018
Primary: August 7, 2018
General: November 6, 2018
Pre-election incumbent:
David Trott (Republican)
How to vote
Poll times: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Voting in Michigan
Race ratings
Cook Partisan Voter Index (2018): R+4
Cook Political Report: Lean Democratic
Inside Elections: Tilt Democratic
Sabato's Crystal Ball: Lean Democratic
Ballotpedia analysis
U.S. Senate battlegrounds
U.S. House battlegrounds
Federal and state primary competitiveness
Ballotpedia's Election Analysis Hub, 2018
See also
Michigan's 11th Congressional District
U.S. Senate • 1st • 2nd • 3rd • 4th • 5th • 6th • 7th • 8th • 9th • 10th • 11th • 12th • 13th • 14th • 13th (special)
Michigan elections, 2018
U.S. Congress elections, 2018
U.S. Senate elections, 2018
U.S. House elections, 2018

On August 7, Michigan Democrats selected Haley Stevens as their nominee for the seat being vacated by David Trott (R). The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) targeted this suburban Detroit seat in the general election, but it did not endorse a candidate in the primary.[1]

A late July poll showed Stevens, Suneel Gupta, Tim Greimel, and Fayrouz Saad as the leading candidates.[2] All said they would oppose Nancy Pelosi as House Democratic leader if elected.[3]

Stevens was a former Obama administration official who worked on providing subsidies for the automobile industry in the aftermath of the 2008 recession. She was endorsed by Hillary Clinton and the Michigan Teamsters and focused her campaign on the automobile company subsidies and her experience in manufacturing policy.[4]

Gupta, the fundraising leader, was an entrepreneur and the brother of CNN correspondent Sanjay Gupta. He received more than $1.3 million through the second quarter of 2018 and had the support of 314 Action, which backs candidates with scientific backgrounds.

Greimel, the former state House Minority Leader, secured the most endorsements in the field, including nods from former U.S. Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.), education groups, and labor unions. The Primary PAC spent more than $100,000 supporting his campaign.

Saad, another former Obama administration official, was aligned with the party's progressive wing. The Bernie Sanders-aligned Justice Democrats and Democracy for America both endorsed her. She emphasized that she would be the first Muslim woman to go to Congress.

Nancy Skinner also filed to run, but, as of July 27, she had not reported any fundraising.

Donald Trump (R) and Mitt Romney (R) won the district in 2016 and 2012, respectively, but Barack Obama won it in 2008. Election forecasters rate it a “Toss-up.”



Election results

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Michigan District 11

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Haley Stevens
Haley Stevens
 
27.0
 
24,309
Image of Tim Greimel
Tim Greimel
 
21.8
 
19,673
Image of Suneel Gupta
Suneel Gupta
 
21.4
 
19,250
Image of Fayrouz Saad
Fayrouz Saad
 
19.4
 
17,499
Image of Nancy Skinner
Nancy Skinner
 
10.4
 
9,407

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 90,138
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates


Candidates

The candidates listed here raised $100,000 or more in the first quarter of 2018 or were mentioned as top candidates by media outlets.

Democratic Party Tim Greimel

Tim Greimel.jpg

Campaign website Facebook Twitter

State Rep. Tim Greimel ran for Congress by emphasizing his legislative experience, including his bipartisan bargaining to increase Michigan's minimum wage and to secure $195 million for Detroit to assist during its bankruptcy reorganization.[5] He was endorsed by education organizations, labor unions, and former U.S. Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.).

Greimel was first elected to the Michigan House of Representatives in a 2012 special election. During his time in the legislature, he served as state House minority leader. Prior to that, he served on the Oakland County Commission and the Rochester School Board, including a stint as president of the board. His professional experience includes practicing employment law. He received his bachelor's, master's, and law degrees from the University of Michigan.[6]

Democratic Party Suneel Gupta

Suneel Gupta.PNG

Campaign website Facebook Twitter

An entrepreneur who worked with Groupon and helped start the healthcare company Rise, Suneel Gupta ran for Congress with an emphasis on expanding healthcare access and lowering costs. He also emphasized his support for increased public education funding, desire to expand access to higher education, and opposition to trade deals like NAFTA, which he said caused his parents to lose their jobs. He said he decided to run for Congress after the election of Donald Trump.[7]

Gupta was endorsed by 314 Action, a group supportive of candidates with science backgrounds.[8]

In 2012, Suneel and his brother, CNN correspondent Sanjay Gupta, started the healthcare company Rise, which focused on using technology to decrease healthcare costs. Prior to that, Gupta was the vice president of product development at Groupon and worked with the state of Michigan and the U.S. Navy on computer programming projects. He received his bachelor's degree in computer programming from the University of Michigan-Dearborn, his M.B.A. from the Kellogg School of Management, and his J.D. from Northwestern Law School..[9]

Democratic Party Fayrouz Saad

Fayrouz Saad.PNG

Campaign website Facebook Twitter

An official for Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan hoping to be the first Muslim woman elected to Congress, Fayrouz Saad had the support of the Bernie Sanders-aligned group Justice Democrats, a group formed with the mission of removing corporate influence from the Democratic Party. Her policy priorities were pushing for Medicare for All, creating a federal paid family leave law, and raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour.[10]

Prior to becoming the director of Detroit's Office of Immigrant Affairs, Saad worked in the Obama administration as a Department of Homeland Security official. Before that, she worked for a nonprofit civic engagement organization, as a staffer in the Michigan House of Representatives, and for John Kerry's 2004 presidential campaign. She attended the University of Michigan for her bachelor's degree and Harvard University for her master's degree. Her parents immigrated to the United States from Lebanon.[11]

Democratic Party Haley Stevens

HaleyStevens.jpg

Campaign website Facebook Twitter

Former Obama administration official Haley Stevens ran for Congress by emphasizing her experience in the world of manufacturing. She also noted her support for increasing the minimum wage (although not for all companies), creating a public option under the Affordable Care Act, and allowing persons 55 and older to buy into Medicare.[12] In Congress, she said she would focus on creating high-tech manufacturing jobs and helping to develop an economy based on innovative infrastructure.[13]

Stevens was endorsed by the Michigan Teamsters and Hillary Clinton. In January 2018, she was featured in a Time article that profiled women running for political offices.[14]

Prior to moving back to Michigan, Stevens worked for the Digital Manufacturing and Design Innovation Institute in Chicago. Prior to that, she worked in the Obama administration as chief of staff for the Auto Task Force inside of the U.S. Department of Treasury. She was involved in setting up the Office of Recovery for Automotive Communities and Workers and the White House Office of Manufacturing Policy. She received her bachelor's and master's degrees from American University.[4]

List of all candidates

See also: Statistics on U.S. Congress candidates, 2018

Democratic Party Democratic primary candidates


Did not make the ballot:

Former candidates

Democratic Party Dan Haberman

Dan Haberman.jpg

Campaign website Facebook Twitter

Businessman Dan Haberman planned to run for Congress by emphasizing his support for universal healthcare access and increasing funding for school districts in impoverished areas. However, he did not collect enough petition signatures to make the ballot and was disqualified.[15]

His campaign made headlines in March 2018 when his non-management campaign workers unionized through the Campaign Workers Guild. Haberman supported the unionization, saying, “I’m proud that my campaign is joining the five other campaigns across the country who are at the forefront of this very important issue.”[16]

Haberman's professional experience includes owning Byte & Mortar Offices, owning a bosco, and serving as the general counsel for his older brother's live music venue. From 2008-2009, Haberman was involved in a successful statewide campaign to pass a smoke-free air bill in Michigan. Following the bill's passage, his older brother died from lung cancer. Haberman received his bachelor's degree from the University of Michigan and his J.D. from Georgetown University.[17]


Timeline

  • August 5, 2018: Hillary Clinton endorsed Haley Stevens.
  • August 1, 2018: An EPIC-MRA poll commissioned by The Detroit Free Press found Tim Greimel with 21 percent, Haley Stevens with 17 percent, Suneel Gupta with 14 percent, Fayrouz Saad with 10 percent, and Nancy Skinner with 4 percent. Thirty-four percent of voters were undecided.
  • July 30, 2018: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez endorsed Fayrouz Saad.
  • July 30, 2018: Reinvesting In America spent about $20,000 supporting Haley Stevens, bringing its total spending on her candidacy to about $57,000.
  • July 27, 2018: The Detroit Free Press endorsed Haley Stevens.
  • July 23, 2018: The Primary PAC spent nearly $19,000 supporting Tim Greimel, bringing its total spending on his candidacy to about $50,000.
  • July 20, 2018: The Center for Voter Advocacy spent about $23,000 supporting Fayrouz Saad.
  • July 16, 2018: Campaign finance disclosures showed that Suneel Gupta raised had nearly $1.4 million and had nearly $630,000 in cash on hand, Haley Stevens had raised more than $1 million and had more than $180,000 in cash on hand, Tim Greimel had raised more than $880,000 and had nearly $300,000 in cash on hand, and Fayrouz Saad had raised more than $650,000 and had about $95,000 in cash on hand.
  • July 12, 2018: The American Federation of Government Employees and The Detroit News endorsed Tim Greimel.
  • June 30, 2018: Campaign finance disclosures from the second quarter of 2018 showed that Suneel Gupta raised more than $1.3 million and had about $800,000 in cash on hand, Haley Stevens raised more than $1 million and had about $340,000 in cash on hand, Tim Greimel raised about $816,000 and had about $456,000 in cash on hand, and Fayrouz Saad raised about $636,000 and had about $314,000 in cash on hand.
  • June 28, 2018: The Detroit Regional Chamber endorsed Tim Greimel.
  • June 6, 2018: The AFSCME Council 25 endorsed Tim Greimel.
  • May 30, 2018: Dan Haberman was disqualified from the ballot after not collecting enough petition signatures.
  • April 6, 2018: The Service Employees International Union Michigan State Council and three other unions endorsed Tim Greimel.
  • March 31, 2018: Campaign finance disclosures for the first quarter of 2018 showed the following:
    • Suneel Gupta had raised more than $930,000 and had nearly $640,000 in cash on hand.
    • Haley Stevens had raised more than $840,000 and had more than $560,000 in cash on hand.
    • Tim Greimel had raised more than $550,000 and had nearly $400,000 in cash on hand.
    • Fayrouz Saad had raised more than $515,000 and had nearly $290,000 in cash on hand.
    • Daniel Haberman had raised nearly $260,000 and had more than $80,000 in cash on hand.
  • March 27, 2018: The American Federation of Teachers-Michigan endorsed Tim Greimel.
  • March 9, 2018: Dan Haberman announced that he supported the unionization of his non-management campaign workers.
  • March 6, 2018: The National Organization for Women endorsed Tim Greimel.
  • February 22, 2018: Former U.S. Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.) endorsed Tim Greimel.
  • February 14, 2018: The National Education Association endorsed Tim Greimel.
  • January 25, 2018: Democracy for America endorsed Fayrouz Saad.
  • November 20, 2017: U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) endorsed Fayrouz Saad.
  • September 13, 2017: The Michigan Teamsters endorsed Haley Stevens.

Endorsements

Democratic primary endorsements
Endorsement Date Greimel Gupta Haberman Saad Stevens
Individuals
Hillary Clinton[18] August 5, 2018 ✔
Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez[19] July 30, 2018 ✔
Former U.S. Rep. David Bonior (D-Mich.)[20] March 6, 2018 ✔
Former U.S. Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.)[21] February 22, 2018 ✔
U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.)[22] November 20, 2017 ✔
Former U.S. Rep. Mark Schauer (D-Mich.)[23] November 2, 2017 ✔
Organizations
The Detroit Free Press[24] July 27, 2018 ✔
The Detroit News[25] July 12, 2018 ✔
American Federation of Government Employees[26] July 12, 2018 ✔
Indian American Impact Fund[27] July 10, 2018 ✔
Detroit Regional Chamber[28] June 28, 2018 ✔
Michigan AFL-CIO[29] June 18, 2018 ✔
AFSCME Council 25[30] June 6, 2018 ✔
Service Employees International Union Michigan State Council[31] April 6, 2018 ✔
United Food and Commercial Workers Local 951[31] April 6, 2018 ✔
International Association of Machinists[31] April 6, 2018 ✔
Communications Workers of America[31] April 6, 2018 ✔
Women Under Forty Political Action Committee[32] March 29, 2018 ✔
American Federation of Teachers-Michigan[33] March 27, 2018 ✔
National Organization for Women[34] March 6, 2018 ✔
National Education Association[33] February 14, 2018 ✔
Democracy for America[35] January 25, 2018 ✔
Michigan Building and Construction Trades Council[36] November 9, 2017 ✔
Detroit Building Trades[36] November 9, 2017 ✔
Michigan Maritime Trade Port Council[36] November 9, 2017 ✔
Michigan Teamsters Joint Council #43[37] September 13, 2017 ✔
314 Action[38] Unknown ✔
Common Defense[39] Unknown ✔
Justice Democrats[40] Unknown ✔
AAPI Victory Fund[41] Unknown ✔

Satellite spending

  • 314 Action said it reserved about $500,000 in airtime in the Detroit media market to support Suneel Gupta ahead of the August primary.[21]
  • The Center for Voter Advocacy spent $88,000 supporting Fayrouz Saad between July 20 and July 30.[42]
  • The Primary PAC spent $105,000 supporting Tim Greimel between June 29 and August 1.[42]
  • Reinvesting In America spent about $75,568 supporting Haley Stevens between July 25 and August 1.[42]

Campaign finance

The chart below contains data from financial reports submitted to the Federal Election Commission.

Name Party Receipts* Disbursements** Cash on hand Date
Tim Greimel Democratic Party $1,018,678 $1,016,016 $2,662 As of December 31, 2018
Suneel Gupta Democratic Party $1,482,709 $1,478,979 $3,730 As of December 31, 2018
Fayrouz Saad Democratic Party $769,824 $764,190 $4,875 As of September 30, 2018
Nancy Skinner Democratic Party $0 $0 $0 Data not available***
Haley Stevens Democratic Party $4,199,607 $4,184,089 $15,518 As of December 31, 2018
Kerry Bentivolio Republican Party $37,274 $34,656 $1,017 As of December 31, 2018
Lena Epstein Republican Party $2,723,099 $2,675,140 $47,958 As of December 31, 2018
Klint Kesto Republican Party $649,799 $649,799 $0 As of October 15, 2018
Mike Kowall Republican Party $325,931 $325,931 $0 As of September 30, 2018
Rocky Raczkowski Republican Party $241,810 $241,910 $0 As of December 31, 2018
Leonard Schwartz Libertarian Party $0 $0 $0 Data not available***
Cooper Nye Independent $6,877 $6,877 $0 As of November 16, 2018

Source: Federal Elections Commission, "Campaign finance data," 2018. This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).

* According to the FEC, "Receipts are anything of value (money, goods, services or property) received by a political committee."
** According to the FEC, a disbursement "is a purchase, payment, distribution, loan, advance, deposit or gift of money or anything of value to influence a federal election," plus other kinds of payments not made to influence a federal election.
*** Candidate either did not report any receipts or disbursements to the FEC, or Ballotpedia did not find an FEC candidate ID.


Campaign advertisements

Tim Greimel

"Tim Greimel campaign ad"
"Done It," released July 9, 2018

Suneel Gupta

"Gupta vs. Trump," released July 13, 2018
"Stand Up," released June 22, 2018
"Rise," released May 15, 2018
"Suneel Gupta for Congress," released December 1, 2017
"Mom," released December 1, 2017

Fayrouz Saad

"Fayrouz Saad Campaign Ad"
"Fayrouz Saad for Congress," released June 20, 2018

Haley Stevens

"Deliver," released July 10, 2018

Polls

See also: Ballotpedia's approach to covering polls
Michigan's 11th Congressional District Democratic primary, 2018
Poll Poll sponsor Tim Greimel Haley StevensSuneel GuptaFayrouz SaadNancy SkinnerDan HabermanUndecidedMargin of errorSample size
EPIC-MRA
(July 23 - 24, 2018)		The Detroit Free Press 21%17%14%10%4%0%34%+/-3.7700
Target-Insyght
(April 10 - 12, 2018)		Target-Insyght 8%14%13%7%0%4%54%+/-4.5500
AVERAGES 14.5% 15.5% 13.5% 8.5% 2% 2% 44% +/-4.1 600
Note: The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to editor@ballotpedia.org.

Campaign themes and policy stances

Tim Greimel

Greimel’s campaign website stated the following:

“

Tim’s Opportunity Blueprint

  • Everybody who works deserves a place in the middle class. As House Democratic Leader, I successfully fought to increase the minimum wage and index it to inflation—a first in the history of our state. In Congress, I will support raising the federal minimum wage and indexing it to inflation.
  • Healthcare costs nearly doubled between 1999 and 2009, and they’re putting the squeeze on working families. In Lansing, I fought against Republicans and special interests like the Koch Brothers and the DeVos family and successfully expanded Medicaid—providing health insurance to 650,000 Michiganders. In Congress, I will work to improve the ACA by allowing anyone, regardless of age, to buy into Medicare.
  • A four year degree isn’t for everyone, but an education is. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports there are 6 million jobs that are unfilled because employers can’t find people with the right skills to fill them. In Congress, I will support career and technical education so we can close the skills gap and put more Americans to work.
  • The horrendous shape of Michigan’s roads costs the average Michigan driver $700 per year in automobile repairs, but the roads are just the most visible example of Republican malfeasance. The underground infrastructure in Flint and elsewhere has poisoned our children and endangered our communities. In Lansing, I introduced legislation to refund Michigan drivers with a tax credit for car damage from our roads, and I was the ONLY legislator to call on Governor Snyder to resign after the tragedy in Flint. In Congress, I will fight for infrastructure investments that fix the roads, upgrade our water lines and sewers, expand access to broadband, and bring regional transit to Southeast Michigan.
  • Over the last 40 years, union membership has declined, leaving us with decades of wage stagnation. In order to grow the middle class, we must protect employees’ rights to join a union and collectively bargain for better wages and benefits. In Lansing, I’ve stood up to Republican attacks on workers’ rights. In Congress, I will support the Employee Free Choice Act so that men and women can more easily collectively bargain for better pay and benefits.
  • Americans owe more than $1.3 trillion in student loan debt. The impact of the high cost of a college degree goes beyond limiting access—the crippling debt reduces small business start-ups among young people and stifles the housing market. We must give our students a path to debt-free higher education, and that starts with tuition-free community college. In Congress, I will work for tuition-free community college and debt-free four-year college, so that all young people have a shot at the American Dream regardless of their income or zip code.
  • Social Security cut poverty among retirees from 40% in the 1930s to under 10% today. Together, Social Security and Medicare are vital programs for tens of millions of American seniors. In Lansing, I fought back against Governor Snyder’s pension tax, because we shouldn’t balance budgets on the backs of seniors on a fixed income. In Congress, I will oppose any effort to privatize Medicare or reduce Social Security benefits for retirees.
  • I refuse to let our government kick anyone out of the only country they’ve ever known. Politicians in both parties tell us DREAMers need a path to citizenship but won’t take action, leaving thousands of our neighbors, who came here as children due to the decisions of others, with uncertainty instead of rights. I will push to pass the DREAM Act so 800,000 Americans—college students, workers, and military service members—get the legal recognition they deserve.
  • I strongly support the Second Amendment and citizens’ right to own guns for hunting and self-defense, but we need to enact common sense gun safety policies. We need to make sure we check the background of every gun buyer, keep guns out of the hands of domestic abusers and other criminals, limit clip size, and outlaw bump stocks that make rifles into machine guns.
  • If we want everyone to have a chance to be what they want to be when they grow up, we need to give all kids a great educational foundation. In Lansing, I fought to make our state recognize literacy as a fundamental human right. In Congress, I will support increasing early childhood education.
  • The only thing worse than getting sick is losing your income at the same time. In Congress, I will support efforts to make earned paid sick leave a guarantee for all workers.
  • Congress should promote the adoption of standardized Prescription Drug Monitoring Program systems, just as we did in Michigan, that would allow for interstate collaboration and data sharing through financial incentives to states and providers. Congress should also increase federal funding for DEA enforcement actions on doctors and pharmacies that far over prescribe and over dispense.
Congress must increase access to Naloxone. In Michigan, we took the important step of requiring first responders to carry Naloxone. This should be done at the federal level as well as mandating it be prescribed whenever an opioid is prescribed. Congress should also increase federal investment in effective drug treatment programs.
Drug companies must be held accountable. Congress should join cities and states that’ve already begun the process of seeking punitive damages from the drug companies who created, produced, and deceptively marketed opioid drugs. And, at the state level, we should repeal Michigan’s drug maker immunity law that denies victims access to justice.

Tim’s Government Reform Blueprint

  • The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) is an important tool for journalists and the public to monitor the government and hold elected leaders accountable. Outrageously, Congress exempted itself from FOIA. In Lansing, I fought for increased government transparency, by requiring the Governor and the legislature to comply with FOIA laws, and for the rights of victims of sexual assault to stay anonymous when public records from universities are released. In Congress, I will work to end the Congressional exemption from FOIA.
  • Over the past 20 years, the Office of Congressional Compliance has paid out 260 claims, totaling more than $15 million, to victims of sexual harassment in the workplace. When these payments are made, the victims are permanently silenced and the identities of the members of Congress who perpetrated the harassment are permanently hidden. It’s time to shine a light on the sexual harassers in Congress and for taxpayers to stop footing the bill for their abuse. In Congress, I will support efforts to require more transparency, overhaul the flawed complaint process, and provide better support for victims and whistleblowers.
  • Many seniors on fixed incomes can’t afford to make ends meet because of the increasing cost of prescription drugs. Medicare and the Veterans Affairs Department successfully negotiate prescription drug prices and, as a result, enjoy much lower costs. In Congress, I will support Medicare negotiating prescription drug pricing in order to save taxpayer’s money, and to give seniors much needed relief when buying their medications.

Tim’s Equality Blueprint

  • In most states, your boss can fire you because of your sexual orientation. That must change. The LGBT community deserves the law on their side when they face bigotry in the workplace, at school, and in public no matter where they are in the country. After passing a non-discrimination policy to prohibit Oakland County Government from discriminating against LGBT persons, I fought in Lansing to guarantee civil rights protections to LGBT people throughout our state. In Congress, I will fight to give every American the legal right to be themselves without fear of being fired or denied housing.
  • Republican politicians in Congress and state legislatures throughout the country are obsessed with standing between women and their doctors. In Lansing, I’ve battled back and stopped Republicans’ attempts to restrict access to reproductive healthcare. In Congress, I will always stand up for a woman’s right to choose.
  • “Equality of rights under the law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.” Those words should be added to the Constitution to ensure every American enjoys the same status in society. In Congress, I will support adoption of the Equal Rights Amendment.
  • On average in the US, a woman is paid only 80 cents for every dollar paid to a man. As a State Representative, I backed legislation that would beef up protections for an employee who is paid unfairly and make it easier to know if they’re being paid less than their coworker. In Congress, I will support the Fair Pay Act so nobody gets paid less than they deserve for their work.

[43]

”
—Tim Greimel’s campaign website (2018)[44]

Suneel Gupta

Gupta’s campaign website stated the following:

“

AFFORDABLE, QUALITY HEALTHCARE FOR ALL
At a time when Donald Trump wants to cut Medicare by over $500B, I’m the candidate in this race with hands-on healthcare experience who has stood up to the pharmaceutical companies who are ripping off families and seniors - and I will fight him every step of the way. I will not rest until we acknowledge that living in the greatest country in the world comes with the responsibility to take care of our neighbors and to make healthcare a human right. That means:

Using collective bargaining power to lower the cost of prescription drugs. Prioritizing the opioid epidemic, and holding the drug companies accountable. Acknowledging and investing in mental health care.

A WORLD-CLASS EDUCATION FOR EVERY STUDENT
Generations ago, America made a commitment to give every child the education they need to obtain a good-paying job. It’s time to restore that commitment. Betsy Devos has looted our education system, and let corporations siphon taxpayer money from our schools. I’m a proud product of Novi public schools, and the one candidate in this race with a STEM education. I’ve created thousands of good-paying jobs, and can advocate for the resources teachers and students need to prepare our kids for a changing economy. That means:

Preventing for-profit charter schools from receiving a single dime of tax-payer money. Reducing crushing student loan debt for parents and students. Empowering every student to pursue higher education or community college, and making it impossible to work full-time and still feel poor.

A RETURN TO DECENCY
In Donald Trump’s America, we’re being divided into two camps, and pitted against each other every day. But in this country, we are better than that. We know that decency and strength are not opposing values. We can have both. I’m a lifelong progressive who has fought special interest groups, created jobs, and delivered healthcare to working families. I’m also the son of Ford Motor Company’s first female engineer, and the father of two little girls, ages 1 and 5. I want to see them grow up in a world that feels safe and empowering for women. That means:

Preventing the use of tax-payer money to sweep bad behavior underneath the rug. Demanding that women receive equal pay for equal work, and access to affordable child care and family leave. Fighting tooth-and-nail for common-sense gun legislation, and reversing the tide of Citizens United so that the NRA and large corporations can no longer drown out the voices of families.

[43]

”
—Suneel Gupta’s campaign website (2018)[45]

Ballotpedia biographical submission form

The candidate completed Ballotpedia's biographical information submission form:

“ What is your political philosophy?

I was born and raised in the 11th District. I went to Novi public schools. I washed dishes at Salvatore Scallopini and went to U of M Dearborn. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the Michigan values that shaped my life: compassion towards others, to be grateful for what you have, to work hard, to take personal responsibility. And if you see something in the world that you don’t like, don’t stay on the sidelines. Get involved.

In Michigan in recent years we haven’t always done the best in creating jobs and preparing ourselves for what’s next and that’s something I learned how to do in building successful businesses and in creating jobs in the new economy in the tech and healthcare fields.

I believe what’s important is that we have a Congressperson who understands how the economy works, and what it’s like to be in a family that’s hard hit. That person should be able to prove that they can bring real results to the district. I’m that person. I’ve helped create 1,000s of good paying jobs and have balanced budgets. I want to fight for better jobs, better wages, and better skills for the 11th. [43]

”
—Suneel Gupta[46]

Fayrouz Saad

Saad’s campaign website stated the following:

“

Growing the Economy
“Michigan was the birthplace of the American middle class. We powered the country through depression and war through a simple idea: people who work for a living ought to earn a living and be able to send their kids off to a great future.

But the biggest corporations have rigged the game in Washington and rewritten the rules of our government and economy so that politicians work for billionaires instead of us. The people of Michigan, like millions across the nation, are being left behind by multinational corporations and free trade deals that replace American workers with automation or exploited, cheap labor abroad.

We need to level the playing field for working families. In Congress, I’ll fight to make sure Washington invests in good-paying jobs for all Michiganders and growing the economy for all working families.”

Tackling Inequality

We will stand up to tax bills that transfer wealth from working families straight into the pockets of Wall Street bankers and the CEOs of large multinational corporations. We will raise the minimum wage to a living wage of $15 an hour, protect collective bargaining rights for our workers, make sure Wall Street’s greed and recklessness never endangers families in Michigan ever again, and make billionaires like Donald Trump finally pay their fair share. Creating Jobs to Rebuild Our Infrastructure

Michigan needs safe roads, bridges, transit and other infrastructure systems that connect our state to the rest of the country and the world. That’s the only way we’ll be able to compete in the modern global economy. Rebuilding our nation’s infrastructure will also create decent-paying jobs for workers in important sectors like construction. We will transform our nation’s crumbling infrastructure by rebuilding the roads and highways we drive on, renovating and modernizing our public schools, investing in high speed internet facilities, and bringing our energy systems into the 21st century. Small Businesses

Growing up in a small business family in Detroit’s Eastern Market, I know how entrepreneurs and small business owners hustle to create local jobs, gain financial independence and contribute to the economy. Small businesses revitalize our commercial corridors and help our communities thrive. We need to ensure that they have the resources they need to succeed, including access to capital and cutting unnecessary red tape. There is nothing small about the impact of small businesses, and as your voice in Congress, I will advocate for policies that will make it easier to start and grow a small business in Michigan. Helping people get good jobs

In Southeast Michigan, advanced industrial sectors - such as manufacturing and automaking - are rapidly evolving due to automation and other technological advancements. We need to invest in our workers today to ensure they can access the next generation of good jobs. Every American who wants a job, should be able to find one whether or not they went to college. Employers are looking for skilled workers so their businesses stay competitive. If we make it easier for people to keep their job skills current by making trade school and job training free and available for anyone who wants it, then Michiganders will have a leg up in landing good jobs and companies will choose to move here. By working with employers, educational and training institutions, and the government we can educate, prepare, train and retrain our workforce with the tools and skills they need to fill these jobs and keep them in Michigan.

Health Care
“Family always comes first. That's why I believe health care is a right, not a privilege, and in our country, no one should go bankrupt because they can’t afford the care they need. I support Medicare for All so Michiganders can get access to affordable, quality health care. I will also fight proposals like TrumpCare that would strip insurance from hard-working Americans and cut funding for the most vulnerable Americans. ”

Fixing the Affordable Care Act President Obama moved us toward universal health care with the Affordable Care Act. Yet Republicans in Congress have done nothing but deliberate in secret and attempt to sabotage the law, making it more and more difficult for Americans to get health insurance. We need to make sure everyone has access to care, no matter where they live and no matter how much money they make.

Medicare for All In the richest country on earth, it is a moral outrage that 28 million Americans live without health insurance. Our health care costs are more than every other economically developed country in the world -- but we still have worse health outcomes. That’s why I support Medicare For All in order to control skyrocketing health care costs and to ensure that every single American is guaranteed the right to health care.

Lowering the Cost of Prescription Drugs Drug costs are out of control. Congress must be aggressive in crafting solutions that lower the cost of prescription drugs. I will support proposals to leverage the buying power of the federal government to decrease out-of-pocket costs for America’s seniors. I will also support efforts to import prescription drugs from Canada, where the Canadian government is able to negotiate drastically lower prices for consumers.

Protecting the Most Vulnerable TrumpCare would result in dangerous cuts that would prevent children, seniors and people with disabilities from being healthy and active members of our communities. I will fight proposals to cut health care and instead, protect Medicaid. I am committed to finding innovative solutions for those who have fallen through the cracks due to policies that have failed to respect the potential of all of our people. I will support, for example, the bipartisan Disability Integration Act, which would provide individuals with disabilities with the security of knowing that long-term support and services will be sufficient to guarantee their ability to live in the community.

Putting the American Dream within Reach
“In our country, every person deserves the opportunity to work hard and get ahead. But today, more and more wealth and income is concentrated at the very top while too many working families’ incomes have stayed flat or even declined. We need representatives in Washington who will fight for the middle class and the people working hard to reach the middle class, not just those at the very top.

My dad started a wholesale meat business from nothing, giving my family the chance to reach the middle class and live out the American Dream. I want to make that dream a reality for more families in Michigan’s 11th District."

Good jobs Nothing matters more to the future of this district than creating good-paying jobs and making sure workers are prepared to take on the jobs of today and tomorrow.

Working across sectors, with employers, education and training institutions, I will support job growth in emerging industries, while ensuring the industries that make up our core economic base stay strong. I will fight for working families by expanding opportunities and creating an economic environment that allows for not just job growth—but good job growth – in expanding industries like advanced manufacturing, information technology, green jobs and health care. If done responsibly, it’s a win-win-win for our workers, our businesses, and our communities.

Taxes and common-sense regulation Our tax system is full of special-interest loopholes for large corporations and the extremely wealthy. I will support a wholesale, bipartisan review of our tax system that simplifies the tax code, cuts taxes for hardworking families and ensures every American and every corporation pays their fair share. This includes protecting the earned income tax credit to reduce the burden on hard-working families.

I will also guard against the sort of risky business and lending practices that led to our last financial collapse, and I will support common-sense rules that protect consumers.

Raising the Minimum Wage Hard work should pay off. But today’s federal minimum wage doesn’t guarantee a full-time worker can make ends meet for their family. That’s unacceptable. I support raising the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour so people across the country can support their families with a living wage.

Housing Affordability No one who works a full-time job should have to struggle to put a roof over their head, or stress about how to pay the next electricity bill. But this reality has become all too common.

In Michigan, a worker needs to make $16.24 an hour – working 40 hours per week, 52 weeks per year— to afford a two-bedroom apartment at fair market value. If a worker earns less than that, he or she is spending more than 30 percent of their monthly income on rent - surpassing the standard threshold of housing affordability.

The reality is that the gap between wages and rental housing costs are growing. I will be a vocal advocate for fair, anti-discriminatory housing policies that keep rental prices in line with the demands and situations of residents, and ensure fair market value is in fact fair.

Education
“Every kid deserves a chance to go to an excellent public college without being burdened by debt. To compete in the global economy, we need a world-class education system so our country is ready to create and take on the jobs of tomorrow. I will always stand up for students, teachers and our public schools to make sure our kids get the chance they need to compete, get ahead and lead the world.”

A world-class educational system that supports our students, families, teachers and schools is essential for Michigan’s future so our kids can compete both locally and globally. I know it’s possible because that’s my story. For me, a great education in Michigan public schools, including the University of Michigan, opened a world of opportunities so I could dedicate my career to public service.

But that’s not every child’s story. After years of experiments run on our children by the billionaire Betsy Devos, our nation is not keeping pace with other industrialized countries. Currently, our state ranks near the bottom - 42nd out of 50 – for the best educational systems, and our nation’s students lag in math and science compared to foreign competitors. We can change that. I have a plan to make our great state of Michigan one of the top places to teach and learn, so that every child gets the education they need to succeed.

Debt-Free College and Trade School

Right now politicians in Washington are abandoning our public colleges, cutting precious funding and allowing big banks to take advantage of a growing student loan debt crisis. Here in Michigan, the billionaire Devos family has used their mega-fortunes to underfund our public schools and enrich themselves off the student debt crisis.

Many nations across the world offer free college to all their citizens. I want to bring America into the 21st century by fighting for debt-free college and trade schools for every American who wants to attend and making tuition free at community colleges across Michigan.

Teachers

Our nation’s teachers are pivotal for enriching students’ lives. We must properly fund our schools so that teacher salaries are more competitive with other professions. I will stand behind teachers and state education officials, including the Michigan Department of Education, in their efforts to limit excessive testing so that our teachers can focus on what’s most important - teaching.

I will also support our Colleges of Education so they can provide innovative educational programs in teacher preparation, and I will advocate for new and veteran teachers to continue to receive the training they need to grow professionally, embrace new innovations and help their students excel.

Students

I will fight for adequate funding and resources so our school districts can provide a high-quality education with STEM learning opportunities, including computer classes in elementary schools. I support apprenticeship programs and other job training programs so workers can get the skills they need for tomorrow’s jobs. And I will stand firm that students who want to invest in higher education shouldn’t be saddled with a mountain of crushing student debt. Schools

Our schools must be at the forefront of advanced technologies and provide pioneering 21st century teaching and learning techniques to educate America’s next leaders. I will work to connect education leaders with business leaders so our schools act as the intersection for education and economic development, providing apprenticeship programs, internship opportunities and real-world, meaningful experiences. I believe every neighborhood should have a high-quality school regardless of your zipcode.

Immigration Reform
“Immigrants who come to this country to make a better life for themselves and their family are part of the story of America. But there’s something broken in the spirit of our democracy. As the daughter of immigrants, I’m tired of seeing politicians and pundits point the finger at families like mine in order to protect themselves when voters are rightfully upset about the economy.

Policies that tear families apart damage the freedom we all cherish and the bonds that hold our nation together. I believe in sensible immigration reform. It will boost our economy and give more people the chance to live out the American Dream, just like my family did. We will stand up to a politics of fear and division with a politics of hope.”

Defend DACA:

The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program is a central piece to our immigration policy and defending DACA is critical. DACA recipients - or Dreamers - are contributing to our country’s neighborhoods, communities and economy, and deserve a fair chance to stay in America. Protecting Dreamers means protecting the American Dream; allowing them to start new businesses, serve in our military and come out from the shadows to contribute fully to our country.

Comprehensive Immigration Reform

I believe comprehensive immigration reform is not only the right thing to do, but it will help Michigan’s economy grow for everyone.

Economic growth only works for the middle class when we lift up everyone, not when we treat the economy as a zero-sum game that pits people against each other. We’ve tried it the other way for too long, and Michigan’s middle class is suffering because of it. It’s time for a new approach, one that includes immigration reform – because we all benefit when we work together to put communities on pathways to economic prosperity. Immigrants contribute millions to Michigan’s economy, are twice as likely to start a new business, and employ 10% of the workforce in Michigan. Immigration and immigrants are vital to growing our economy in Michigan.

Pathway to Citizenship

Immigration reform must include a pathway to citizenship that keeps families together - rather than tearing them apart. This keeps our communities safer by bringing people out of the shadows to work with law enforcement and identify criminals and those that threaten the safety of our communities.

National Security
"As I learned from my days serving at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, “homeland security starts with hometown security.” We must all continue to be vigilant and work to ensure a homeland that is safe, secure, and resilient against terrorism and other threats. We must also protect our American values, if we change our values as Americans then we are letting the terrorists win; it is possible to protect our civil rights, civil liberties, and privacy without compromising our safety--we are country of freedom, tolerance, and inclusion."

Cybersecurity Safeguarding and securing cyberspace is one of the most important challenges we face as a nation. We have seen firsthand that Russia, North Korea, and non-state actors are attacking our democracy by attempting to tamper with our elections, disrupt our economy, and conduct complex coordinated cyber attacks with the aim of destabilizing our society. We must invest in a new generation of cyber workforce professionals, adopt new defensive technologies, grow information sharing partnerships between government and the private sector, and ensure our Nation’s critical infrastructure is secure.

Counter-terrorism The threat of homegrown terrorism is one that we have become all too familiar with in the United States. We must work to identify and prevent extremists and radicals from turning to violence in an attempt to express their views or impact government policies. We must address terrorism and violent extremism in all of its forms whether they are threats from ISIS and al-Qa’ida or threats from violent White Supremacists and violent Anti-Government organizations; terrorism is terrorism and wherever we face it, it must be taken on.

Terrorist threats from overseas have changed since 9/11. We are seeing a rise in lone-wolf or homegrown violent extremists directed or inspired online to carry out simple but devastating attacks. Our traditional tools and methods to discover and thwart these plots must be updated. We must increase funding for first responders and local law enforcement, bolster efforts of our intelligence community, encourage community based organizations to develop their own solutions, build partnerships with the tech sector, and educate the American people on how they can help.

21st Century Policing and Law Enforcement Our men and women in law enforcement are on the front lines every day protecting our communities, they are also part of our communities. I will work with our local law enforcement departments to ensure their community policing programs are adequately funded, and work with communities to encourage participation. I will also support and promote increased diversity recruitment, funding for community liaison programs, partnerships with communities to bolster accountability and transparency, and address the issue of police militarization.

Border Security Building a wall across our southern border is not only a severe waste of taxpayer dollars, it will be ineffective. Instead we need to invest in new screening technology and bringing our border ports of entry up to 21st century standards.

Women's Rights
Women have the right to pursue our dreams and be treated with dignity and respect. Only 19% of our members of Congress are women. Women have been left out of conversation because of systemic challenges in our economy and society that don’t even let us in the room. It’s no wonder why only 19% of our members of Congress are women

There’s a revolution of values happening across America right now led by the #MeToo movement. It’s time to bring that movement into the halls of power in Washington and change the faces of power.

Childcare

People who work hard deserve to make more than a decent living. We deserve to have a decent life.

The cost of child care has increased by nearly 25 percent during the past decade, while the wages of working families have stagnated. Too many families are unable to find quality, affordable childcare without breaking the bank.

It’s time to make sure that no family in America pays more than 10% of its income to afford quality child care. We will invest in child care subsidies and provide tax relief for the cost of child care to families across Michigan.

Close the pay gap Fully fund women’s health centers like Planned Parenthood Enact paid family leave that provides new parents with guaranteed paid time-off Pass legislation to protect victims of sexual assault and harassment

A Livable Planet for All
“Our state is home to 21% of the world’s fresh water. All of us have a right to clean water, land, and air to keep our communities safe, strong and prosperous. Big oil companies are buying off politicians right here in this district while they threaten our land and water with pollution, just so a few executives can get a little richer. No families should have to worry about dangerous toxins polluting our lakes or the water we drink.

Protecting our land, water, and air isn’t a choice between creating jobs and protecting our communities from pollution and catastrophic climate change. Instead of subsidizing the profits of fossil fuel corporations, we can create millions of jobs by investing in clean energy. We need to continue investing in protecting our environment by maintaining funding and support for programs like the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.

That’s why we will reject corporate polluters who threaten our Great Lakes, we will protect our communities, and we will create green jobs for working families and help safeguard our planet. The solutions to this global crisis are within our reach. We just need the political will.”

[43]

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—Fayrouz Saad’s campaign website (2018)[47]

Haley Stevens

Stevens' campaign website stated the following:

“

Affordable Healthcare for Every American

Healthcare is a right, not a privilege. Every single American deserves access to affordable, high-quality, and accessible healthcare. For too many families, high deductibles make the health insurance they have almost useless. We need to work together to fix the Affordable Care Act (ACA), not dismantle it. In Congress, I will work to make healthcare more affordable for working families. I’ll also work to end the medical device tax and ensure that workers in collective bargaining agreements aren’t subject to the so-called Cadillac tax.

This should be something we all agree on, but instead of working toward this goal, Republicans in Washington have focused on dismantling the Affordable Care Act. In fact, the Congressional Budget Office estimated that the recent tax legislation would result in 13 million fewer people having health insurance.

We should implement a public option for the ACA so that the insurance companies that are acting as a near monopoly in some places have competition. I also support allowing people aged 55-65, who face the highest prices under the current system, to buy into Medicare.

Lastly, I believe no one should face bankruptcy from healthcare costs. We must ensure that there is healthcare for all through an efficient and patient-friendly system.

Growing a New Economy

Now is the time for us to value hard work, prioritize wage growth and support working families. I have spent my career working alongside Midwest manufacturing companies large and small. We must get serious about the cost of living and earnings. I support increasing the minimum wage and encouraging larger businesses to support the $15 minimum wage. In an age when corporate executives make up to 300 times more than the average worker, we need to encourage wage growth through equal access to opportunity, where every child can live up to their full potential to succeed.

We need to reorient our policies so that people, not corporations, are at the forefront. Public private partnerships are critical to growing our economy and are something I believe in, having spent a career working at the intersection of industry and government.

I was at the table when the Economic Development Administration invested in the Detroit Regional Chamber to create a supplier diversification program. I have managed and created job training programs focused on advanced manufacturing and believe Michigan’s future of automation and innovation will continue to unlock incredible job opportunities, as long as we have policy makers advocating for the value of technical talent and hard work.

Manufacturing is the backbone of the economy in Southeast Michigan, and I am running as a woman in manufacturing with the economic development experience that will bring industry and government leaders together to produce outcomes for our district.

I support collective bargaining rights and value the service labor unions provide to our workers. I am a staunch supporter of the Davis-Bacon Act (1931) that established a prevailing wage for public works, and I have been an outspoken critic of Lansing’s attempt to repeal Michigan’s prevailing wage law on the state level.

We must address the Michigan teacher shortage by investing in public education at pre-K through grade 12. Public education dollars must be fully allocated, and our educators should receive the respect and dignity they deserve. We can address income disparities by providing access to affordable higher education for all. The average student loan debt in Michigan is nearly $30,000 and I will take on predatory lenders and corrupt, for-profit institutions of higher education. We need to protect interest rates, support our borrowers with fair repayment options and make secondary education accessible. That means free community college options and fair costs for in-state schools.

For the burgeoning and existing workforce, I believe in a 21st century labor movement that protects workers, supports training programs, and pays a livable wage. We need a federal government that strategically invests in research and development that supports the great innovation taking place in southeastern Michigan. My background has been tied to innovation programs and job creation efforts, and that is where I will be focused in Congress.

We need to support trade deals that prioritize the American worker and keep profits within our borders, while also holding China accountable. I would like to see a negotiation of trade agreements to level the playing field of wages and with new leadership, we can get these deals done.

Finally, I believe we must once and for all end the gender pay gap and support paid family leave for all Americans.

Quality Education for Students

As the daughter of a retired Detroit public school teacher, I am a fierce advocate for Michigan’s public education system. I am very troubled by the directives coming out of Betsy DeVos’ Department of Education. From pre-K to higher education, we need a member of Congress who will fight back against the Trump-DeVos education agenda and advocate for Michigan’s educators, students, and families.

There are currently no Michigan Democrats sitting on the U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce. When I am elected, I will seek out a spot on that committee to be the voice that Michigan families deserve.

At the K-12 level, the federal government’s role is to ensure that the neediest students succeed and to work as a partner with state and local governments. The federal government has a legal obligation to ensure equal access to education through Title 1. Unfortunately, the level of support provided is frequently far below the level needed to actually ensure equality, and in Congress I will support additional funding to help close the achievement gap.

I have a background in workforce development and have developed STEM education programs for middle school and high school students in digital manufacturing and software engineering. I am a strong proponent of apprenticeship and vocational education. We need to support Michigan schools to advance and increase our technical workforce and get back to the hands-on learning that our schools excelled in for many years.

I support proposals to make community college tuition-free through state based cost-sharing programs. I support using such programmatic dollars to increase the size of Pell Grants and make four-year college degrees significantly less costly. Finally, I stand by union run apprenticeship programs that link community colleges with employers and support employers who are directly looking to offer apprenticeship programs.

I am proud to have led workforce development initiatives with SkillsUSA, National Institute of Metalworking Skills, SME, ASME, the Manufacturing Institute, Code for America, the Department of Defense and the Department of Labor throughout my career. I have managed a multi-million dollar federally funded job training portfolio that received matching corporate investment and buy-in from universities, community colleges, and high schools.

For students who choose to attend 4-year universities, the cost of higher education is out of control. Over 44 million Americans owe a combined $1.4 trillion in student debt. That is more than than two and a half times what they owed just a decade ago. The average student in Michigan graduates with over $30,000 in student loan debt. This burden of debt is unacceptable, and the hefty price tag of higher education makes college seem out of reach for too many Michiganders. We must also address predatory lending and some for-profit colleges who subject student borrowers to extreme costs without a return on a certified degree.

In Congress, I will fight for every Michigan student — whether they are 3 or 73. Education holds the key to opportunity, and we must make sure every individual has the means to pull themselves up by their bootstraps by pursuing an educational track that will allow them to achieve the American Dream.

Our Promise to Seniors

In Congress, I will fight any attempt to privatize social security or turn Medicare into a voucher program.

These are programs that seniors paid into their entire working lives, and we must keep our promise to them by ensuring these programs are protected now and for generations to come. During the 2016 campaign, President Trump vowed to protect Social Security and Medicare. You can be sure I won’t let him forget it.

We must also ensure our seniors receive access to long-term care options, affordable housing options and have advocates in Congress to protect them from predatory and fraudulent schemes.

Finally, prescription drug costs are through the roof. Our senior citizens should never have to choose between paying for food or paying for their prescriptions.

Protecting Our “Pure Michigan” Environment

I believe climate change is a serious problem and needs to be addressed immediately before it is too late. When an overwhelming number of scientists around the world have cited the realities and dangerous implications of climate change, this is not a partisan issue, but the global challenge of our generation that requires dedicated leadership to tackle. President Trump has frequently and recklessly referred to climate change as a “hoax” and his Administration has continued to degrade the environment and puts us at risk to the worst threats of climate change.

Climate change and environmental degradation are issues that affect our entire planet, meaning we need an international solution supported by countries across the globe. President Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement was extremely misguided and is a move I strongly oppose. Additionally, we need to stop the regressive politics of undermining the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and keystone policies that protect our air, water, and natural resources. We only have one planet, and it is important that we protect it for future generations. We must fight to keep Michigan the “Pure Michigan” that we love. We must protect our Great Lakes with the proper funding and scientific resources.

I believe the United States can lead the way in promoting a clean energy future. Through my work on the U.S. Auto Rescue, I established a track record of working on behalf of policies that cracked down on harmful emissions. Under the Cash for Clunkers program as part of the U.S. Auto Rescue efforts, consumers were encouraged to trade in vehicles with fuel economy of 18 miles per gallon or fewer in exchange for refund vouchers worth $3,500 to $4,500. The goal was to remove the more polluting vehicles from the road and spur economic growth. I have worked with manufacturers to support investments in clean and renewable energy through now-expired tax incentive programs that encouraged sustainable energy investment. There is no country or workforce more resilient or innovative than that of the United States of America, and we will lead the charge in growing and revitalizing our economy while pushing for technologies that will continue to improve the quality of our environment and reduce the catastrophic effects of climate change.

A Plan for Immigration

The metro Detroit region shows the way forward on immigration. We have a community of people with roots from all over the world working together.

The Trump administration’s divisive response to immigration issues is appalling and harmful. We must never forget that America is a country of immigrants. Recent actions by the Trump administration and Congress violate not only individual liberties, but also undermine our system of federalism and principles of local control. We need to curb the overreaching power of ICE.

Congress needs to pass legislation on comprehensive immigration that treats people with dignity. We need to pass legislation that supports deferred action for childhood arrivals known as DACA and grants citizenship. Now is the time for Congress to come together and fix a broken immigration system that has resulted in painful separations, impacted families and communities, and hurt our economy. It is no doubt that America, a nation of proud immigrants, needs to embrace safe, legal, and fair immigration policies and enforce the laws humanely.

Advocating for Equality

I am a lifelong friend of the LGBTQ+ community and believe LGBTQ+ individuals should have the same rights as all other Americans. In recent years, we have witnessed progress when it comes to LGBTQ+ rights, much of which has come from court decisions such as the now famous Supreme Court case that legalized gay marriage. We still have work to do in Michigan. For instance, Michigan state law does not include full protections for people based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. This means it is still legal to deny employment, housing, and medical treatment based on gender identity or sexual orientation. It is important that we have strong partnerships and support for LGBTQ+ rights and that current progress at the federal level is not undone. In Congress, I will support the LGBTQ+ community and be a voice for equality under the law.

Commonsense Gun Laws

It is past time that we act on commonsense gun reform. On January 3, 2019, I will send a Dear Colleague letter to the new class of the 116th United States Congress outlining my plan to begin an immediate dialogue on addressing gun violence in America.

With every passing day the urgency grows stronger, but still we are met with resistance and inaction from those who currently represent us. The overwhelming urgency of now is upon is.

We must end loopholes in the background checks system, finally pass a bill to crack down on bump stocks, and preserve current protections against gun silencers. These are commonsense reforms that cannot wait, and they will get my attention on day one in office.

Veterans and Defense

The mission of the Department of Veterans Affairs is to fulfill President Lincoln’s promise “to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan.” Having learned from family members who served in the military and in combat zones, I understand the special role that veterans play in our society. I have developed workforce training programs and have spent time on military bases to development training programs for service members.

The Department of Energy’s Advanced Manufacturing Office funded an exciting Advanced Manufacturing Internship program, which is designed to provide accelerated, hands-on career training for veterans and next-generation engineers to prepare them for long term manufacturing jobs upon leaving service.

We must continue to support veterans who return from service with visible and unseen scars. While the Department of Veterans Affairs maintains a National Resource Directory to help veterans and wounded warrior access programs and services, we must ensure that the VA is adequately serving our veterans. We need a VA that addresses mental health and suicide prevent and an agency that is equipped with the staff and resources to deliver for our ventures, particularly much needed medical staff.

I believe in the role the Department of the Defense plays in our government. I have worked closely with the DOD throughout my career, particularly the Office of Manufacturing and Industrial Based Policy. The DOD can be a partner for metro-department automakers and suppliers as our industrial base has been critical to our long term national security. We need to encourage public private partnerships and co-investment in R&D, Innovation and supply chain securitization, particularly for cyber security. We do not need to bloat the DOD budget at the expense of domestic programs. I believe in responsible spending that equips our soldiers and military personnel with the resources they need to do their jobs.

The United States foreign policy success rests squarely with strategic allied relationships, the utilization of smart power and diplomacy. We must avoid isolationist policies that fray international relationships and continue to develop strong bonds with our allies.

I believe in a strong U.S.-Israel relationship. The United States and Israel maintain a special allied relationship, bound by our shared commitment to common values. This is a relationship that must continue to thrive and go unquestioned – and most importantly cannot become a partisan issue. I am undoubtedly a staunch supporter of Israel and am eager for the opportunity to experience the country first-hand. I believe that the U.S-Israel relationship maintains security in an unstable part of the world, and that our country will continue to support Israel’s democratically elected leaders to further the mutual goals and necessary interests shared between our countries.

Both countries have a shared opportunity and a lot to gain from working together. I believe the past has shown us the results of a strong, allied relationship and that will benefit generations to follow. We set a global precedent and strengthen against threats and secure a mutual interest in a vulnerable region through a strong U.S-Israel partnership.

A Voice for Women

When I am elected to Congress, I will be the first woman to ever represent Michigan’s 11th District. I will use my office to defend women’s rights and champion the cause of full equality for women under the law.

We must end the gender pay gap. Nationally, women are paid 80 cents for every $1 a man is paid. In Michigan, women make only 78 cents to every $1 for men. The numbers are even worse for women of color. According to a National Partnership for Women & Families study, black women in Michigan make 63 cents for every $1 a man is paid, and Latina women make only 58 cents. This is unacceptable. In Congress, I will be a strong advocate for equal pay for women.

I am also an ardent supporter of paid family leave. In an economic environment where it can be difficult to make ends meet even as a middle class family, allowing parents with newborns and individuals with ailing family members to have some time off work to take care of their loved ones could not be more important. Congress must act on passing legislation that puts American families first by guaranteeing paid family leave.

Finally, I support a woman’s right to choose and I do not think federal lawmakers should be injecting themselves into women’s reproductive matters. I will fight for women’s reproductive freedom and will oppose the Trump Administration’s attempts to defund Planned Parenthood and deny women insurance for birth control. These attacks on women’s rights must stop.

Addiction and Drug Policy

The nationwide addiction crisis is something we as a country must come together to address immediately. Our families and communities are being torn apart by opioid abuse, and our government has a duty to take action to combat this epidemic. I support legislation that investigates inappropriate prescribing of narcotics, emphasizes treatment over prosecution, and gives Americans over-the-counter access to the lifesaving medication naloxone.

Another approach we must take to curb opioid addiction is decriminalizing marijuana for medicinal and recreational use. Studies have shown that full, federal legalization of medical marijuana in particular could be an effective solution to combat opioid addiction.

In addition to legalizing marijuana for medicinal purposes, I support descheduling marijuana from the Controlled Substances Act and pardoning and wiping the records of past offenders who were convicted of non-violent, marijuana-related crimes. We should begin taxing and regulating marijuana to fund important projects like our roads and our schools.

Finally, we must end the War on Drugs as we know it. Drug policy and prosecution targets people of color at a disproportionate rate. This form of injustice and inequality is unacceptable and it is not effectively solving the problem of ridding our communities of drugs and crime. We must reexamine how we approach drug policy with the purpose of supporting American families. I believe that together we can come up with solutions to save lives and rebuild the communities that have suffered from addiction for far too long.

Standing Up to Donald Trump

Now is the time for bold and courageous leadership. We must hold Donald Trump accountable for his lack of decency, corruption, open bigotry and attack on basic facts and science. I fully intend to stand up to the Trump Administration. I marched for Science in Detroit, I stood up to the racist and hateful crimes in Charlottesville, Virginia, and I got on the phone with community leaders when wrongful deportations were threatened against long standing residents of our district. I am here for decency, listening, and collaboration. I know we might not always agree. We must return to collaborative government and getting things done for the American people.

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—Haley Steven’s campaign website (2018)[48]

Race ratings

See also: Race rating definitions and methods
Race ratings: Michigan's 11th Congressional District election, 2018
Race tracker Race ratings
October 30, 2018 October 23, 2018October 16, 2018October 9, 2018
The Cook Political Report Lean Democratic Lean DemocraticLean DemocraticLean Democratic
Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales Tilt Democratic Tilt DemocraticTilt DemocraticToss-up
Larry J. Sabato's Crystal Ball Lean Democratic Lean DemocraticLean DemocraticLean Democratic
Note: Ballotpedia updates external race ratings every two weeks throughout the election season.

Pivot Counties

See also: Pivot Counties by state

Twelve of 83 Michigan counties—14 percent—are Pivot Counties. Pivot Counties are counties that voted for Barack Obama (D) in 2008 and 2012 and for Donald Trump (R) in 2016. Altogether, the nation had 206 Pivot Counties, with most being concentrated in upper midwestern and northeastern states.

Counties won by Trump in 2016 and Obama in 2012 and 2008
County Trump margin of victory in 2016 Obama margin of victory in 2012 Obama margin of victory in 2008
Bay County, Michigan 12.55% 5.56% 15.31%
Calhoun County, Michigan 12.46% 1.60% 9.36%
Eaton County, Michigan 4.72% 3.13% 8.40%
Gogebic County, Michigan 14.80% 8.10% 17.27%
Isabella County, Michigan 3.66% 9.28% 19.26%
Lake County, Michigan 22.77% 5.01% 12.28%
Macomb County, Michigan 11.53% 3.99% 8.62%
Manistee County, Michigan 15.29% 5.93% 13.26%
Monroe County, Michigan 21.97% 0.98% 4.35%
Saginaw County, Michigan 1.13% 11.89% 17.34%
Shiawassee County, Michigan 19.59% 3.67% 8.59%
Van Buren County, Michigan 13.92% 0.45% 8.78%

In the 2016 presidential election, Donald Trump (R) won Michigan with 47.5 percent of the vote. Hillary Clinton (D) received 47.3 percent. In presidential elections between 1836 and 2016, Michigan voted Republican 60.8 percent of the time and Democratic 34.7 percent of the time. In the five presidential elections between 2000 and 2016, Michigan voted Democratic four out of the five elections.[49]

Presidential results by legislative district

The following table details results of the 2012 and 2016 presidential elections by state House districts in Michigan. Click [show] to expand the table. The "Obama," "Romney," "Clinton," and "Trump" columns describe the percent of the vote each presidential candidate received in the district. The "2012 Margin" and "2016 Margin" columns describe the margin of victory between the two presidential candidates in those years. The "Party Control" column notes which party held that seat heading into the 2018 general election. Data on the results of the 2012 and 2016 presidential elections broken down by state legislative districts was compiled by Daily Kos.[50][51]

In 2012, Barack Obama (D) won 53 out of 110 state House districts in Michigan with an average margin of victory of 37.1 points. In 2016, Hillary Clinton (D) won 43 out of 110 state House districts in Michigan with an average margin of victory of 39.3 points. Clinton won four districts controlled by Republicans heading into the 2018 elections.
In 2012, Mitt Romney (R) won 57 out of 110 state House districts in Michigan with an average margin of victory of 12.4 points. In 2016, Donald Trump (R) won 67 out of 110 state House districts in Michigan with an average margin of victory of 21.2 points. Trump won eight districts controlled by Democrats heading into the 2018 elections.

District analysis

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

The 2017 Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district was R+4, meaning that in the previous two presidential elections, this district's results were 4 percentage points more Republican than the national average. This made Michigan's 11th Congressional District the 203rd most Republican nationally.[52]

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 0.99. This means that for every 1 point the national political mood moved toward a party, the district was expected to move 0.99 points toward that party.[53]

See also

Footnotes

  1. ↑ DCCC, "House Democrats Playing Offense," January 30, 2017
  2. ↑ Detroit Free Press, "Here's who seems to be leading in run for Trott's U.S. House seat," August 1, 2018
  3. ↑ Detroit News, "Dems in 11th District congressional primary ready to boot Pelosi," July 31, 2018
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Haley Stevens for Congress, "Meet Haley," accessed May 28, 2018
  5. ↑ Detroit Free Press, "State Rep. Tim Greimel joins crowded congressional field," October 17, 2017
  6. ↑ Tim Greimel for Congress, "Meet Tim," accessed May 28, 2018
  7. ↑ Associated Press, "ASIAN AMERICANS TURN ANGST FOR TRUMP INTO POLITICAL ACTIVISM," May 3, 2018
  8. ↑ Suneel Gupta, "Priorities," accessed May 28, 2018
  9. ↑ Suneel Gupta, "About," accessed May 28, 2018
  10. ↑ Refinery 29, "Will Fayrouz Saad Be The First Muslim Congresswoman?" March 2, 2018
  11. ↑ Fayrouz Saad for Congress, "About Fayrouz," accessed May 28, 2018
  12. ↑ Haley Stevens for Congress, "Priorities," accessed May 28, 2018
  13. ↑ Detroit News, "Michigan native comes home for run against Rep. Trott," April 27, 2018
  14. ↑ Haley Stevens for Congress, "TIME Magazine names Haley Stevens for Congress one of their '10 Races to Watch,'” January 29, 2018
  15. ↑ Michigan Live, "7 Michigan Congressional candidates fall short in signatures for August ballot," May 30, 2018
  16. ↑ Dan Haberman for Congress, "Dan Haberman for Congress (MI-11) officially becomes the first campaign in Michigan to unionize," March 9, 2018
  17. ↑ Dan Haberman for Congress, "Meet Dan Haberman, "Meet dan haberman," accessed May 28, 2018
  18. ↑ Michigan Live, "Hillary Clinton endorses Haley Stevens in 11th District Congressional race," August 6, 2018
  19. ↑ YouTube, "Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez endorses Fayrouz Saad & Rashida Tlaib," July 30, 2018
  20. ↑ Haley Stevens for Congress, "Press Release: 'David Bonior Endorses Haley Stevens for Congress in MI-11,'” March 6, 2018
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 Detroit News, "El-Sayed splits with Duggan," February 22, 2018
  22. ↑ Twitter, "Justice Democrats on November 20, 2017"
  23. ↑ Haley Stevens for Congress, "Mark Schauer Endorses Haley Stevens for Congress in MI-11," November 2, 2017
  24. ↑ The Detroit Free Press, "Stevens, Slotkin offer Dems best chance to flip red seats," July 27, 2018
  25. ↑ Detroit News, "For Congress, from Metro Detroit," July 12, 2018
  26. ↑ American Federation of Government Employees, "Largest federal employee union says Greimel has the experience to serve," July 12, 2018
  27. ↑ The Times of India, "Indian American group endorses Suneel Gupta for US Congress," July 10, 2018
  28. ↑ Detroit News, "Political Insider: Epstein fundraiser canceled over her Trump support," June 28, 2018
  29. ↑ Michigan AFL-CIO, "Michigan AFL-CIO Endorses Candidates for 2018 Election," June 18, 2018
  30. ↑ AFSCME, "AFSCME Council 25 Issues First Round of Legislative Endorsements," June 6, 2018
  31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 31.2 31.3 Medium, "Rep. Greimel receives backing from 4 major labor unions," April 6, 2018
  32. ↑ Haley Stevens for Congress, "Press Release: 'WUFPAC Endorses Haley Stevens for Congress,'” March 29, 2018
  33. ↑ 33.0 33.1 Medium, "American Federation of Teachers Michigan (AFT MI) Endorses Rep. Tim Greimel," March 27, 2018
  34. ↑ Detroit Free Press, "NOW endorses state Rep. Tim Greimel for Trott's Congress seat," March 6, 2018
  35. ↑ Twitter, "Fayrouz Saad on January 25, 2018"
  36. ↑ 36.0 36.1 36.2 Twitter, "Tim Greimel on November 9, 2017"
  37. ↑ Twitter, "Haley Stevens on September 13, 2017"
  38. ↑ Roll Call, "314 Action Looks to Play in Democratic Primaries," February 21, 2018
  39. ↑ Common Defense, "COMMON DEFENSE ENDORSES 5 CANDIDATES FOR CONGRESS," accessed May 28, 2018
  40. ↑ Justice Democrats, "Fayrouz Saad," accessed May 28, 2018
  41. ↑ AAPI Victory Fund, "Suneel Gupta (MI-11)" accessed May 28, 2018
  42. ↑ 42.0 42.1 42.2 ProPublica, "Michigan’s 11th District House Race - 2018 cycle," accessed July 23, 2018
  43. ↑ 43.0 43.1 43.2 43.3 43.4 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
  44. ↑ Tim Greimel for Congress, "Priorities," accessed June 15, 2018
  45. ↑ Suneel Gupta for Congress, "Priorities," accessed June 15, 2018
  46. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named bio18
  47. ↑ Fayrouz Saad for Congress, "Priorities," accessed June 15, 2018
  48. ↑ Haley Stevens for Congress, "Priorities," accessed June 15, 2018
  49. ↑ 270towin.com, "Michigan," accessed June 29, 2017
  50. ↑ Daily Kos, "Daily Kos Elections' statewide election results by congressional and legislative districts," July 9, 2013
  51. ↑ Daily Kos, "Daily Kos Elections' 2016 presidential results for congressional and legislative districts," February 6, 2017
  52. ↑ Cook Political Report, "Introducing the 2017 Cook Political Report Partisan Voter Index," April 7, 2017
  53. ↑ FiveThirtyEight, "Election Update: The Most (And Least) Elastic States And Districts," September 6, 2018


Michigan's current delegation to the United States Congress
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Elissa Slotkin (D)
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