While this election year the Presidential race is getting most of the media coverage, voters throughout Michigan will be voting on many important races next week.

As is the case every two years, all of Michigan’s fourteen U.S. Representatives are up for reelection.  Of those, only two seats are open due to the current Congressional member choosing not to run for re-election.  The 1^st Congressional District is open as Congressman Dan Benishek (R-Crystal Falls) chose not to run for re-election.  There are four candidates vying for the seat, including Jack Bergman (R) and Lon Johnson (D).  Mr. Bergman is a retired U.S. Marine Lt. General and former Navy pilot.  He’s received endorsements from the Michigan Chamber of Commerce and Right to Life of Michigan.  Mr. Johnson is the former Chair of the Michigan Democratic Party, resigning in 2015 to campaign for this office.  He received the endorsements of the Michigan Nurses Association, Michigan AFL-CIO, and the Sierra Club of Michigan, amongst others.  The 1^st Congressional District has a 55% Republican base.  Despite the district leaning GOP, many insiders have stated this district is a toss-up this November.  Additionally, Mr. Johnson has raised more funds than his opponent.

The 10^th Congressional District is the second open Congressional seat in the state, following the retirement of Congresswoman Candice Miller (R-Harrison Township), who has held the seat since 2003.  As with the 1^st Congressional District, there are four candidates vying for the seat, the two major parties and the Libertarian and Green Parties.  Former Michigan State Representative, Frank Accavitti (D-Grosse Pointe Shores) is running for the open seat.  After serving three terms in the Michigan House, he took a position as President of the Care House of Macomb County.  Mr. Accavitti has received endorsements from the Michigan AFL-CIO and the UAW.  Republican candidate Paul Mitchell (R-Washington) is the former CEO and Chairman of Ross Education.  He previously ran unsuccessfully for the 4^th Congressional District, but won a partial term in 2007 on the St. Clair City Council.  Additionally, he headed up the campaign to defeat the legislative road funding plan in 2015, which Michigan voters rejected.  Mr. Mitchell has received endorsements from several organizations and elected officials including the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, Right to Life of Michigan, State Representative Peter Lucido (R-Shelby Township), and Shelby Township Clerk Stan Grot.  The 10^th Congressional District has a 85% Republican base.

To find your specific voter information, please visit Michigan.gov/vote.

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