WHO’S UP NEXT

As Democratic Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin continues to campaign to be her party’s candidate to replace Senator Debbie Stabenow, what’s to become of Slotkin’s congressional seat, which she won in a hard-knuckled brawl in 2022 with Republican former state Senator Tom Barrett, in what was then considered one of the most expensive congressional races in the country, with over $36 million spent by the two campaigns. Barrett, a two-time Army veteran, announced in January he was launching another go for the seat, which national Republicans really want to flip. In his announcement, he said he’s focused on foreign policy issues, saying the Afghanistan withdrawal under President Joe Biden “lit a fire in me” and compelled him to run. But Democrats have no intention of letting what they consider as Slotkin’s seat go. It’s anticipated Michigan’s 7th District race will be just as competitive in 2024. In that vein, the New Democrat Coalition Action Fund has already endorsed former State Sen. Curtis Hertel Jr. (D-Lansing, East Lansing) to replace Slotkin in the House. “Curtis understands that in order to get things done, you must work with people on all ends of the political spectrum,” said New Democratic Coalition Chair Annie Kuster. “I always believed that the only way to accomplish our shared goals is to take the time to listen and work with others to find solutions that help everyone,” Hertel said.