(NewsNation) — NewsNation/Decision Desk HQ has called the race for Michigan’s District 8 seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in favor of Kristen McDonald Rivet. See the results of U.S. House and U.S. Senate races across the country here.
In one of the most anticipated races in Michigan, Democratic state Sen. Kristen McDonald Rivet and Republican Paul Junge faced off to fill a seat currently occupied by six-term Democratic Rep. Dan Kildee.
With the opportunity open for Republicans to flip a seat that would help the GOP maintain control of the U.S. House, the race was cast into a national spotlight.
McDonald Rivet worked as the vice president of the Skillman Foundation, a grant-making organization that focuses on serving students in the Detroit area.
McDonald became the first woman to represent Michigan’s Bay region after she was elected to the state Senate.
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Junge worked in internal affairs of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services after being appointed to the position by former President Donald Trump. Junge, who worked as a television reporter after serving as a deputy district attorney, previously ran for the U.S. House seat in District 8 in 2020 and 2022.
In a debate between the two candidates, McDonald Rivet and Junge differed on issues such as the economy and abortion. Junge said he does not support a national abortion ban and said that the issue should be decided at the state level.
In addition to being an outspoken advocate for women’s reproductive rights, McDonald Rivet has also worked to pass gun safety reforms after the 2023 shooting at Michigan State University.
Heading into Tuesday’s election, all 435 seats in the House of Representatives were up for election. Republicans control the chamber with a narrow majority of 220 seats, while the Democrats occupy 212 and three vacancies.
