Republican congressional candidate and former state Sen. Tom Barrett (R-Charlotte) addresses voters at a rally for former President Donald Trump in Novi on Oct. 26, 2024. | Kyle Davidson
Former state Sen. Tom Barrett (R-Charlotte) appears to have prevailed over former state Sen. Curtis Hertel (D-East Lansing) in the early hours of Wednesday, as Hertel has conceded the 7th Congressional District race.
Hertel thanked his staff, family and volunteers and wished Barrett well.
“I got into this race because I believe that we can make meaningful progress by seeking compromise, that our freedoms are worth fighting for, that we can bring down costs by cutting taxes for working families and reducing drug prices, that we can bring manufacturing jobs back home, and that we can strengthen our democracy. Spending the past year and a half on the campaign trail meeting the good people of this district has been one of the great honors of my life. To everyone who shared our vision and supported this campaign, I thank you deeply for your support. Know that I will continue to work with you towards that better future we all seek,” Hertel said.
The Associated Press has not officially called the race. As of 3 a.m., Barrett led Hertel 50.4% to 46.5%, with 90% of the vote in.
Michigan’s 7th Congressional District has garnered a reputation as one of the most competitive U.S. House seats in the state, with the nonpartisan Cook Political report rating it as a “toss up” for most of the cycle. However, in the final days, the handicapper moved the district to “lean Republican.”
Barrett had expressed confidence after polls closed Tuesday night.
“The votes are in. We’re counting them now, and when the dust settles, I’m confident that we’re going to come out ahead,” Barrett told supporters in Howell after taking an early lead in the returns.
The district houses reliably blue Ingham County, majority-GOP Livingston County and Republican-leaning Clinton and Shiawassee counties, as well as parts of Eaton, Oakland and Genesee counties.
Barrett has flipped party control of the district, succeeding U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Holly) whom he unsuccessfully challenged in 2022. In addition to serving in the state Senate, Barrett served in the military for 22 years, retiring from the Michigan Army National Guard in 2022. He also served in the Michigan House of Representatives from 2015 through 2018.
Hertel was Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s legislative director before resigning in 2023. He centered his campaign on reproductive rights, gun safety, lowering health care costs and supporting jobs in automotive and battery manufacturing.
Republicans are seeking to maintain their slim majority in the U.S. House and Barrett’s victory could prove critical.
Barrett (R-Charlotte) cast his ballot this morning at Carmel Township Hall in Eaton County, speaking with reporters around 8:15 a.m. about the state of his campaign for U.S. House and his tradition of going to the polls with his family.
GET THE MORNING HEADLINES.