Former Republican Mayor of Holland and Huizenga Primary Challenger Phil Tanis Endorses Sean McCann for Congress

October 31, 2026

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Former Republican Mayor of Holland and Huizenga Primary Challenger Phil Tanis Endorses Sean McCann for Congress

Former Huizenga Opponent Phil Tanis Calls Out Republican Incumbent for Abandoning West Michigan Values; Urges Voters to Put Country Over Party, Joining Growing Coalition of Republicans Backing McCann

KALAMAZOO, MI — Just days before Election Day, former Republican Holland Mayor Phil Tanis, who challenged Huizenga in the Republican primary, has endorsed Democratic State Senator Sean McCann for Congress in Michigan’s 4th Congressional District, urging voters to put principle over party.

The endorsement marks another significant development in a race that has drawn growing attention as Republicans and Democrats alike question Huizenga’s record and his commitment to representing Southwest Michigan.

In a statement titled “Principles Over Politics. Country Over Party,”  Tanis explained that the very concerns that motivated his Republican primary challenge now compel him to support McCann.

“I decided to stand against Bill Huizenga for the Republican nomination in Michigan’s 4th Congressional District because our country had become unnaturally divided, loyalty to party trumped traditional principles, the Republican-controlled Congress had abandoned their responsibilities, and Bill had become a part of this Washington, DC, culture rather than a representative of West Michigan,” Tanis wrote.

The former Republican challenger also joined a group of former Republican members of Congress who recently announced their support for McCann, calling on voters to reject Huizenga and demand accountability from Washington.

“I join with them and their call to vote for Michigan State Senator Sean McCann for Congress,” he wrote.

The endorsement follows a public letter from former Republican lawmakers backing McCann and urging voters to restore accountability, integrity, and principled leadership in Washington.

“This election is about more than Democrats and Republicans. It’s about whether the people of Southwest Michigan have a representative who puts them ahead of party bosses and Washington politics,” said Sean McCann. “I’m thankful for Mayor Tanis’ endorsement, and I welcome the support of anyone who agrees that our country deserves better. I’ll work with anyone willing to put people first, lower costs for working families, protect Michigan jobs, and restore accountability to Congress. That’s the kind of leadership Southwest Michigan deserves.”

Sean McCann is building a coalition that crosses party lines, bringing together Democrats, Republicans, and Independents who are excited about change and want a representative who will actually show up, listen, and deliver results for Southwest Michigan in Washington.

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About Sean McCann:

Sean McCann has spent his career standing up to the powerful and on behalf of people in Southwest Michigan. From cracking down on slumlords to serving as a State Senator, Sean has fought to change broken systems. In the State Legislature, he stood up to polluters to protect Lake Michigan, and he cut taxes for working families.

Sean knows Washington is broken and he’ll fight for the change we need – banning members of Congress from trading stocks, negotiating for lower drug prices, and stopping massive tax breaks for billionaires and big corporations, so we put hard-working people first.

Born and raised in Michigan, Sean attended Western Michigan University before serving as a Kalamazoo Commissioner, State Representative, and now State Senator for Southwest Michigan. Along the way, he’s earned a reputation among Democrats and Republicans alike as a serious problem-solver who works across the aisle and stands up for families trying to make ends meet. 

As a husband and father raising his family in Michigan, Sean understands what’s at stake for working families. In Congress, he’ll bring the same work ethic, common sense, and determination he’s brought to public service throughout his career, and fight every day to make Washington work for people it’s supposed to serve. 

About the race for Michigan’s 4th Congressional District:

MI-04 is one of the country’s key 2026 battlegrounds. The R+3 district has been named a top “Red to Blue” race by the DCCC and rated a toss-up by Sabato’s Crystal Ball. Cook Political Report has consistently moved this race in Democrats’ direction, calling the district “a bright spot for Democrats.”  Poll after poll has shown Sean McCann leading Bill Huizenga, and McCann continues to post strong fundraising numbers. 

According to Cook, Sean McCann’s State Senate seat (MI-19) “makes up about a third of the 4th District and includes 45% of the 4th’s primary electorate.” Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson each carried MI-04 with more than fifty percent of the vote in 2022.

MI-04 covers Southwest Michigan and includes the cities of Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, Holland, St. Joseph, Benton Harbor and the outer suburbs of Grand Rapids including Ottawa County.

Sean has also received endorsements from Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, Senator Elissa Slotkin, Congresswoman Hillary Scholten, former Congressman Mark Schauer, over 15 labor groups, and over 70 local elected officials and community leaders. 

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