Democrats for Michigan’s 8th Congressional Seat

Three Democratic candidates are running to represent Michigan’s 8th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives: Kristen McDonald Rivet, Pamela Pugh and Matt Collier.

The 8th Congressional District covers most of Genesee County, all of Saginaw and Bay counties, and parts of Midland and Tuscola counties.

The district is currently represented by U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee (D-Flint), who announced last November that he would retire at the end of his term. He has served in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2012.

In the August 6 primary election, voters will choose one of three Democratic candidates to represent the district. The Republican primary candidates for the district are Paul Junge, Mary Draves and Anthony Hudson.

McDonald Rivet is a state senator representing the 35th District, which covers parts of Saginaw, Bay and Midland counties. She was elected to the seat in November 2022.

McDonald Rivet grew up in Portland, Michigan, and moved to Bay City 15 years ago. She earned a bachelor’s degree in history from Michigan State University and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Michigan, with a concentration in educational administration.

McDonald Rivet has served as executive director of the Michigan Head Start Association, senior policy advisor to Governor Jennifer Granholm, chief of staff for the Michigan Department of Education, vice president of the Skillman Foundation, president and CEO of Greater Midland, and vice president of Michigan Future.

Before becoming a state senator, McDonald Rivet served as a Bay City commissioner for two years and chaired the Bay City Charter Commission. Currently, she is the deputy Senate majority leader and serves on seven committees.

If elected to Congress, she would have three goals: reduce costs and raise wages for working-class families, support children and the families who raise them, and protect rights, including the right to abortion.

“These are my priorities in the state Senate as well, which is why I was able to champion the working families tax credit and why we were able to appeal the abortion law of 1931 and pass a bill that makes housing more affordable,” McDonald Rivet said. “The way I’m going to do that in Congress is the way we’ve been able to do a lot of things in the state legislature. It’s about rolling up your sleeves, being willing to compromise and working together and focusing directly on actions that can actually get things done. I stay away from political theater, I don’t engage in Twitter chaos and fights. I’m going to go to Congress and work with anybody who wants to work with me.”

Last week, McDonald Rivet was endorsed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Rep. Dan Kildee.

“Dan has been an incredible advocate for our cause in Congress. He’s doing things that I intend to pick up and move forward. Whether it’s capping the cost of insulin or fighting on behalf of our communities to bring money home. Especially in places like the water crisis in Flint, Dan – in Washington – never forgets our communities,” McDonald Rivet said. “I’m honored to have his support because I intend to follow in his footsteps, not only in what he works on, but in how he works. He’s authentic and deeply connected to our community on every level and that’s how I intend to serve as well.”

Other mentions (as of July 1):

• Elected Officials: Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson, Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton, Bay County Executive Jim Barcia, and more

• Work: AFL-CIO, UAW, MEA, SEIU, Teamsters, LIUNA, Plumbers and Pipefitters, IBEW, Firefighters, AFSCME, Carpenters, UFCW, Boilermakers, Masons, Blacksmiths, Ironworkers, IUPAT, United Sheet Metal Workers and Steelworkers

• Press: Detroit Free Press

• Organizations: Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, EMILY’s List, League of Conservation Voters, Elect Democratic Women, End Citizens United and many others

• Over 20 local activists, pastors and community leaders

Fundraising (as of July 1): McDonald Rivet has raised over $1.5 million.

Pugh is president of the Michigan Board of Education. She was first elected to the board in 2014.

Pugh was born in Newton, Mississippi, and moved to Carrollton, Saginaw County, when she was one year old. Her family moved to Saginaw when she was 15, and she still lives there today. She has lived in the district for 52 years.

Pugh received a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Florida A&M University and a doctorate in public health and a master of science from the University of Michigan.

Pugh has more than 25 years of leadership experience, including being appointed as the chief health advisor in response to the Flint water crisis. As chair of the State Board of Education, she fought for fair and adequate funding for the public school system and stood with Detroit schoolchildren in the Right to Literacy trial, urging the state to ensure students’ fundamental right to an education with access to teachers, books, and schools that don’t fall apart.

Pugh’s work has received national recognition, including two Dr. Montague Cobb Awards from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

“My goals (for Congress) are not only about the policies I will pursue, but also about how I will govern. My approach is to hear and see others, to be a present leader, a problem solver, and someone who stands for truth and integrity,” Pugh said. “Whether you are a Republican, an Independent, or a Democrat, I will welcome you into our office and make sure your concerns are truly heard, addressed, and acted upon. We may disagree, but I want my constituents to know that they can count on me to do what is necessary to improve their lives.”

Matt Collier served as mayor of Flint from 1987 to 1991. He was born in Flint and lived there most of his life.

Collier earned an engineering degree from West Point before serving as an infantry officer in the U.S. Army for six years, eventually earning Airborne Ranger status.

After his Army service, he was recruited to Flint by then-U.S. Congressman Dale Kildee to serve as a district manager.

During his tenure as Flint mayor, Collier added thousands of jobs to the region’s economy, reduced serious crime and balanced four consecutive budgets.

After serving as mayor, he attended Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government, where he earned a master’s degree in public administration. He worked as a business owner, CEO, and senior executive at various technology companies until 2015, when he was recruited by the Obama administration as an appointed official at the Department of Veterans Affairs.

He is Chairman Emeritus of the Board of Directors of One World, a nonprofit youth leadership and character development organization; a member and past president of the Concussion Legacy Foundation; and a member of the National Association of Research and Education Foundations, leading Veteran-focused innovation and research related to the Department of Veterans Affairs health care network.

“It’s clear that Congress is broken, and the people who are being left behind are the people I grew up with in Flint. That’s why I’m running for Congress,” Collier said. “I’m running to lower costs for working families, so people can put food on their tables, have a roof over their heads, and afford to send their kids to college. Every Michigander should have quality health care they can actually afford and prescription drugs that don’t cost a fortune. Unions have helped ensure that hard work pays the bills, but too much of our manufacturing industry has been gutted and shipped overseas. We need to grow American manufacturing and make sure we build things in Michigan — and in America. Because you shouldn’t have to go to college to be able to provide for your family.”

Isabelle Pasciolla is a political reporter for the Midland Daily News. Email her at [email protected].