GARY PETERS ON THE RACE TO FLIP MI-04: “THERE IS NO DOUBT IN MY MIND THE WHOLE COUNTRY IS WATCHING US RIGHT NOW.”

KALAMAZOO MI —  U.S. Senator Gary Peters joined Sean McCann in Kalamazoo yesterday, underscoring the stakes of one of the country’s closely watched congressional races and the growing momentum behind McCann’s campaign. “There is no doubt in my mind the whole country is watching us right now,” Peters said.

“It was great to have Senator Gary Peters join us today and see so many fired-up volunteers ready to knock doors and connect with neighbors. Their energy and commitment are what grassroots organizing is all about, “ said Sean McCann. “Families across Southwest Michigan are feeling the squeeze at the gas pump, in the grocery store, and when they open their utility bills. Bill Huizenga has been in Washington for years, and life keeps getting more expensive. We’re taking that conversation directly to voters, building momentum one doorstep at a time, and putting everything we’ve got into flipping this seat on Election Day.”

“Michiganders deserve leaders who put working families first and are willing to work across the aisle to get things done. That’s exactly what Sean McCann has done throughout his career,” said Senator Gary Peters.  “He understands what matters to Michigan families and will bring people together to deliver results for our state. I’m proud to support Sean, and I encourage Michiganders to send him to the U.S. House of Representatives this November to keep fighting for Michigan’s workers and families.”

FOOTAGE FROM THE EVENT CAN BE FOUND HERE

Read more below about what Michiganders are seeing and hearing about the race at the center of the battle for control of Congress.

WOOD: Sen. Gary Peters campaigns with Sean McCann

• U.S. Senator Gary Peters joined Sean McCann in Kalamazoo today.

• The pair spoke about the upcoming election and the issues that are impacting families across Southwest Michigan, including the trade war with Canada and the higher cost of living.

• Peters joined McCann today as Democrats look to flip the seat.

• At the event Peters said Michiganders are frustrated and need a commonsense candidate in Washington.

• “The thing we really need in Washington are people who are common sense who care deeply about their communities, and are willing to find common ground—sometimes that means reaching across the aisle, whatever it takes. What people are frustrated about in this country right now is why can’t folks in Washington work together and get things done. And that’s why you elect people like Sean McCann, and why do I say that? Because he’s done that.”

• “This is not hypothetical, this is not saying maybe he’ll do that. He’s actually done that, day in and day out in Lansing.”

MIRS: Peters Predicts McCann Will Flip Congressional Seat; Health Care Bus Rolls Thru MI

• “I’m very excited about this race. I think this is a race that I’m expecting to flip. It’s all about having a great candidate running and Sean McCann is an incredible candidate,” Peters said.

• Peters said he is seeing enthusiasm and motivated voters wherever he travels. Their questions, he said, focus on gas prices, health care costs and the cost of living.

• “It’s pretty easy to trace the lines all to DonaldTRUMP and that administration, from the war in Iran to these crazy tariff policies that we know are increasing costs,” Peters said.

• Asked about the Democratic Party’s direction, Peters emphasized voters who want practical results. “In a general election when you have 4 million Michiganders voting, you have a big, big percentage of those folks who really just want to get things done. They just want people who are going to bring common sense,” Peters said.

• Peters said he supports McCann because he has watched him work toward solutions during his time in Lansing.

• McCann likewise described enthusiasm for his campaign and said he wants to build coalitions in Congress, working across party lines to address the district’s needs.

• He also called for closing the J.H. Campbell coal plant and ending tariffs, particularly those affecting trade with Canada.

• “It’s all about getting folks to come out and get people to vote, becaus e that’s really the power to make a decision in life. If you aren’t happy with the way things are going, if you vote, you can do something about it,” McCann said.

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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 afterpoll 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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