Michigan's 6th Congressional District encompasses multiple counties in the southwest region of the state.
This November, the district's incumbent Fred Upton (R) is running for a 17th term in Congress against Democratic challenger Matt Longjohn.
The candidates spoke with Stateside about why they're running and what they would do as part of a new Congress come 2019.
Upton said that he has disagreed with President Trump on issues ranging from the president's attempt to strip funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative to his stance on immigration, but he said he supports what the Trump administration's tax reform has done for the American economy.
In order to address agrowing deficit caused in part by those tax cuts, Upton said that budget reform will be necessary in Congress.
“At the end of the day, we need a budget that Republicans and Democrats can support, and we ought to live within those means. As you look at a percentage of GDP, as you look at revenues that are coming in, I think that there’s plenty of areas where we can find some common ground that still protects our vets, our seniors, and our defense,” Upton said.
Longjohn said he thinks voters are ready for new leadership in the 6th District. He said his expertise on policy matters including agriculture, transportation, education, and healthcare qualify him for the job.
Campaign finance reform, improving healthcare quality, and reducing insurance costs are some of the most important issues for Longjohn.
"And the other thing that I think is really vital that we take up and work on in the next Congress is making sure that our environment is a larger part of our policy-making agenda. You can’t live your healthiest possible life in a toxic environment as people in Parchment, in Flint, in Otsego, and many other places around the state now can attest to,” Longjohn said.
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