U.S. Rep. John Moolenaar, R-Caledonia, announced Monday he is seeking reelection to the U.S. House of Representatives.
"I am running for re-election to continue fighting for Michiganders and to keep America moving in the right direction," he said in a statement on his campaign website. Moolenaar is running for reelection in Michigan 2nd Congressional District, a seat he's held since 2022.
The district includes most of west and mid-Michigan, including the cities of Big Rapids, Manistee, Cadillac, Mount Pleasant and Ludington. He currently serves on the House Appropriations Committee and the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party.
He beat Democratic opponent Michael Lynch in 2024 by 143,343 votes, winning 65.1% to 31.7%. He is seeking a seventh term to the U.S. House.
Molenaar said Republicans have delivered tax cuts, a secure border and cut inflationary spending. He also touted his successful efforts to shut down a battery plant run buy Gotion, a Chinese tech company with ties to the Chinese Communist Party.
"As your member of Congress, I will always defend the 2nd Amendment, protect the unborn, make sure our veterans have the benefits they deserve, and our farmers have the workers they need," he said in an announcement video.
Jon Helge is chair of Michigan's 2nd Congressional District Democratic Party. He told WCMU the party has a grassroots movement ready to win.
"I believe John Moolenaar is more vulnerable than he's ever been because of his support for the chaos, corruption and cruelty that's going on in Washington right now," he said.
Helge touted the campaigns of paramedic Jamie Hill and U.S. Marine Ben Ambrose. "They're working very hard to earn the trust and the support of the voters in the 2nd Congressional District," Helge said.
In addition, three other candidates: Clyde Welford, Andrew Ault and Richard Carrizales are also running in the Democratic primary this August to try an upset Moolenaar in the November general election.
The Cook Political Report rates the race as "Solid R."
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