Michigan primary candidates debate immigration, healthcare

By Andrew Rice
The Center Square

Voters in Michigan will head to the polls on Aug. 4 in races that could determine control of Congress.

Some Michigan U.S. House district races are expected to be highly competitive. With shifting demographics across the state, Republicans are seeking to hold ground in certain areas that have become increasingly competitive.

Here are two competitive races in Michigan.

District 3

Incumbent Rep. Hillary Scholten, D-Mich., is seeking a third term in a district she previously flipped. Scholten has advocated for legislation to increase grant opportunities and resources for small businesses.

She introduced the Main Street BRIDGE Act, which would require the Small Business Administration and the Minority Business Development Agency to coordinate grant offers across various platforms and programs to support local businesses.

“Building an economy that works for everyone means investing in the small businesses that fuel our West Michigan economy, especially as they work to recover from the devastating impact of COVID-19,” Scholten’s website reads.

She has also touted her record to cap the cost of prescription drugs and insulin as well as expand tax credits through the Affordable Care Act. Scholten is the only Democrat running in the western Michigan district.

However, two Republican candidates are seeking to challenge her. Ryan Cushman, a veteran and business owner, and Terri DeBoer, a meteorologist, are seeking the Republican nomination to face off against Scholten in November.

Cushman has called for the expansion of Medicaid and regular audits of the program to ensure its integrity. If elected, he said he would seek to implement legislation to eliminate co-pays and deductibles.

“A proper healthcare system should ensure that no American goes uninsured, combining strong government-funded coverage with a competitive private sector,” Cushman’s website reads.

DeBoer has also called for the reduction of healthcare costs and lowering taxes. She said she would support legislation that eliminates regulations on small businesses.

“West Michigan business owners deserve representation that will cut the red tape in Washington to help their businesses prosper for generations to come,” DeBoer wrote on social media.

Scholten has a significant fundraising lead over her competitors with more than $2.2 million raised and $1.3 million in cash on hand. DeBoer follows with more than $460,000 in contributions and $361,000 in cash on hand followed by Cushman with $1,273 in cash on hand, according to the Federal Election Commission.

Scholten has received $5,000 over the last year from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan PAC; $3,560 from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee; and $5,000 from the Air Line Pilots Association PAC.

District 4

Incumbent Republican Rep. Bill Huizenga is facing a challenge from both Democrats and a member of his party to represent Michigan’s fourth congressional district. Phil Tanis is challenging Huizenga for the Republican nomination in the August primary.

Tanis said Huizenga has not met the needs of the fourth congressional district, the southwestern region along Lake Michigan’s coastline. He criticized Huizenga’s vote for the One Big Beautiful Bill and his support for the Trump administration and said his policies have isolated voters in the district.

“I’m not sure the fourth district is safe for Republicans anymore,” Tanis told The Center Square. “Bill’s gone a long way to making it unsafe just through his actions.”

Huizenga has supported the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement efforts and introduced legislation to strip naturalized citizens of protections if convicted of terrorism charges. He has also touted his vote on the One Big Beautiful Bill as a measure to protect taxpayers.

“Michiganders are expected to save $700,000,000 in energy costs thanks to the Working Families Tax Cuts,” Huizenga said.

Two Democrats are also competing to take on either Tanis or Huizenga in November. Diop Harris II and Sean McCann are seeking the Democratic nomination in the district.

Harris, a former congressional staffer, has focused his campaign on expanding Medicare and implementing moratoriums for AI data centers and abolishing ICE.

“We’re going to abolish ICE,” Harris said in a candidate forum. “We don’t need to replace it, we don’t need to reform it. It’s something we didn’t have before and we don’t need moving forward.”

McCann, a Michigan state senator, has focused his campaign on extending Affordable Care Act tax credits and lowering prescription drug costs.

“One of my proudest votes in the Michigan legislature was to expand access to Medicaid to over a million people in Michigan, making it possible for more families to have real, quality health care,” McCann said.

McCann and Huizenga appear to be the respective frontrunners for each party primary. Huizenga has attacked McCann over previous proposals to raise taxes.

Huizenga has a significant fundraising advantage in the race with more than $2.2 million in cash on hand. McCann follows with more than $1.6 million in cash on hand, and Diop Harris has about $7,000, according to the Federal Election Commission.

Huizenga has received $5,000 over the last year from T-Mobile PAC; $10,000 from the New York Life Insurance Company PAC; and $5,000 from the United Parcel Service PAC. McCann has received $1,000 from the American Military and Defense PAC; $1,000 from the Sunflower Seeds PAC; and $2,000 from Jamie Raskin, a congressman from Maryland.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Aug. 4 in Michigan. For more information and poll results, visit thecentersquare.com/michigan.