In an address Friday night to Livingston County Democrats, Representative Elissa Slotkin discussed her upcoming senatorial campaign and backed Curtis Hertel as a potential candidate to replace her as the 7th Congressional District representative in 2024.
Slotkin, speaking at the annual Winans Dinner sponsored by the Livingston County Democratic Party, explained that when she decided to run for the House of Representatives six years ago, she was relatively unknown with very few connections. Since then, she’s been able to connect with many in the community, networking and working with constituents to address their priorities and needs, as seen through her recent work in advocating for $3.5 million in direct federal funding for community projects in Livingston County. Slotkin urged the community to support Hertel: get to know him, talk to him, and welcome him in the same fashion they’d welcomed her six years ago.
Hertel, Slotkin noted, is an individual with deep familial ties to Michigan politics and public service, as well as a personal dedication to the regional community. He served as a state senator for Michigan’s 23rd district from 2015 to 2022, and, upon terming out of office, went on to serve as the Director of Legislative Affairs for Governor Gretchen Whitmer, a position he still holds.
An article from The ‘Gander explains that Michigan’s 7th district is the only district in the state– and one of 24 congressional districts nationwide– to be considered a true “toss-up” race. As such, there has been a great deal of speculation as to who would succeed Slotkin in campaigning for the House of Representatives.
On the Republican side, former state senator Tom Barrett has announced his candidacy, having previously competed for the congressional seat in 2022. Ingham County Clerk Barb Byrum had considered a candidacy but has since dropped out of the running.
