IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Detroit Free Press: Longtime incumbent Bill Huizenga faces competitive reelection bid

KALAMAZOO MI — In case you missed it, the Detroit Free Press highlighted the mounting trouble for longtime Republican Congressman Bill Huizenga, whose once-safe seat is now a toss-up as Sean McCann mounts the strongest Democratic challenge of Huizenga’s congressional career.

After years of cruising to reelection, Huizenga is facing growing voter frustration over skyrocketing energy costs, stubborn inflation, and his rubber-stamping of President Trump’s agenda. With Michigan families paying the price, the political landscape in Southwest Michigan is shifting.

And the momentum is showing. McCann outraised Huizenga by more than $440,000 last quarter, while two major election forecasters have moved the race to a toss-up. Even Republican-aligned outside groups are pouring millions into the district to defend the longtime incumbent.

As the Free Press makes clear, Huizenga can no longer take this seat for granted.

Key excerpts:

• “And Democrats are bullish on their chances to flip Huizenga’s southwestern Michigan seat, given political headwinds signal a potentially bruising cycle for Republicans over voter frustration with high gas prices and continued economic inflation”

• “‘This is a race where you’ve got an incumbent who has rubber stamped all of the Trump administration’s policies and decisions that are making it harder for people to get by these days,’ McCann told the Free Press.”

• “This November could prove to be his stiffest campaign test yet — he’s facing, by far, his most organized Democratic challenger in state Sen. Sean McCann of Kalamazoo.”

• “Cook Political Report has shifted the race to a toss-up, as has analyst Larry Sabato’s Crystal Ball.”

• “‘This is definitely the toughest race he’s ever going to have in Congress,’ said Grand Valley State University political science professor Don Zinman.”

• “’I really think this is a change that’s being desired across the country as people wrestle with gas prices and groceries,’ McCann said.”

• “But McCann is the most organized Democratic challenger to take on Huizenga up to this point.”

• “McCann outraised the incumbent in the most recent quarter, bringing in $1.6 million in contributions compared to Huizenga’s roughly $970,000.”

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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 atoss-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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