Through the primary election on August 6, we will highlight races for which the primary is the key race due to the voter base. The candidate’s website and professional information are listed when available.
Commentary
Democratic U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow announced her retirement from this seat, which she’s held since 2001, setting off a wide-open race. This is one of the most watched races nationwide as both parties battle for majority of the U.S. Senate and as Michigan’s status as a purple state continues to grow.
The candidate list on both sides of the aisle has candidates with strong name recognition and previous campaign experience, including a current member of Congress and two former members of Congress. In her last reelection campaign, Senator Stabenow received just over 52% of the vote.
Democratic Candidates:
- Nasser Beydoun – Business owner, former chair of the American Arab Chamber of Commerce and the Arab American Civil Rights League, he was recognized as the Michiganian of the Year by The Detroit News in 2006, Crain’s Detroit Business Newsmaker of the Year in 2003, and included on Crain’s Detroit Business 40 Under 40 in 2002.
- Hill Harper – Actor, attorney, union organizer, author, and coffee shop owner. He served as a surrogate for President Barack Obama’s campaign and later served on the President’s Cancer Panel.
- Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin – She’s currently serving her third term in the United States House of Representatives. Prior to public office, she worked for the CIA as a Middle East analyst and served as national security staff under both President George W. Bush and President Barack Obama.
Republican Candidate:
- Justin Amash – Attorney and former consultant, he was previously elected to the United States House of Representatives and the Michigan House of Representatives.
- Sherry O’Donnell – Physician, ordained minister, author, and speaker.
- Sandy Pensler – Financial advisor, a former member of the Yale economics faculty, and former teacher at Harvard. Additionally, he’s an attorney who clerked for the 5th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals.
- Mike Rogers – He’s an Army Veteran and former member of the United States House of Representatives. Additionally, he served in the Michigan Senate and is a business owner.
