PERSONAL STATEMENT

We must keep the border between the U.S. and Canada open to allow goods, including auto parts and agricultural products, to freely move between our two countries. The blockade is having a significant impact on Michigan’s working families who are just trying to do their jobs and it's unacceptable.

 

In Congress, I’m proud to stand up for all workers’ rights, and I will continue to do everything I can to stand up for workers in Michigan and across the country.

 

My record shows that I can bring Republicans and Democrats together, despite incredible partisanship and polarization, to get things done for mid-Michigan. There’s more work to do to support Michigan workers and lower everyday costs for families. That’s why I’m running for re-election, so I can continue working on behalf of Flint, Saginaw, Bay City and Midland families in Congress.

 

EXPERIENCE

Kildee seeks election to the newly drawn Michigan 8th District. He has represented MI 05 since 2013.

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A 2008 graduate of Central Michigan University, Rep. Kildee had extensive experience in local government and non-profit administration. He served on the Flint Board of Education (1977-85), Genessee County Board of Commissioners (1986-1996), and as Genesee County Treasurer (1997-2009). He has been a champion of innovative urban development programs. and his accomplishments include founding the Genessee Co. Land Bank in 2002 in response to urban decay in Flint.  This program has since become a model for addressing urban blight in 50 cities including Detroit, Baltimore, Memphis, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh. In 2009, he founded and served as first President of the Center for Community Progress with offices in New Orleans, Atlanta, and Washington D.C.   

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Kildee was first elected to Congress in 2012. He has focused on urban development, raising the minimum wage, extending unemployment insurance, and supporting manufacturing. He has become a leader in Congress and is currently Chief Deputy Whip of the Democratic Caucus. In 2018, Kildee co-founded the Congressional Freethought Caucus to advocate for “public policy based on reason, science, and moral values,” and “promotion of separation of church and a state.”

 

ON THE ISSUES

• ” To my Republican colleagues now preaching unity after the attack on the Capitol – where was that message on Wednesday, when you voted to overturn the results of a democratic election” (Twitter, 1/20/21) and: “One year later, I’m back at the Capitol to mark the anniversary of the deadly January 6th attack on our democracy. On this day of remembrance, we must make sure that such an assault never happens again in our country.” (Twitter, 1/6/22)

 

• ” When a manufacturing plant closes due to trade, it is not just the workers and the company that are negatively impacted- the entire surrounding community is affected…. My legislation secures federal funding to help communities - older industrial communities …. create strategic plans for local economic development projects. …I am proud that this legislation to help older, industrial communities throughout Michigan was included in the House-backed Build Back Better budget.” (11/30/21 statement following House passage of a Kildee initiative to assist communities impacted by trade)

 

• ” Ensuring the government works for the people is one of my top priorities in congress. The legislation will ensure accountability, ethics and integrity in government and ensure that no president and elected official, regardless of political party, is above the law or free from oversight. I am proud to support the transparency in government and restore the constitutional system of checks and balances envisioned by our Founding Fathers.” (Statement following passage of House Bill to Safeguard and Strengthen Democracy, 12/9/21.)

 

• ” Based on the analysis of multiple outside rankings, Kildee is one of the most reliable Democratic votes, meaning he can be considered a safe vote for the Democratic Party in Congress.”  (Ballotpedia)

 

• Kildee voted to impeach President Trump for abuse of power and for obstruction of justice.

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• “I believe we should be increasing access to health care for women, not dictating or limiting their options. Attacks on women including their right to reproductive healthcare have got to stop.”  (Votesmart.org)

 

• On Abortion: 100% rating from Planned Parenthood Action Fund and NARAL Pro-choice America

 

• On Civil Liberties and Civil Rights: 100% rating from ACLU, AAUW, NAACP, Human Rights Campaign, Hispanic Federation – among others.

 

• On Labor Issues: 100% rating from American Federation of Government Employees, Communications Workers of America, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, National Farmers Union, National Treasury Employees Union

 

• On Environment Issues: 100% rating from Americans for Democratic Action, Clean Water Action, Defenders of Wildlife, League of Conservation Voters – among others

 

POLITICS IN MICHIGAN + THE 8th DISTRICT

Michigan is a front-line battleground state where pro-Trump, anti-democratic forces continue to contribute to a toxic and contentious political environment by challenging the legitimacy of Biden’s victory.

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In 2012, Rep. Kildee won the MI-05 seat vacated by his uncle Dale Kildee by 34%. His margin of victory has steadily fallen to 13% in 2020 in a District that went for Biden by 4.3.  Biden won the new Michigan 08 District by 2 %.

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Kildee’s victory in 2020 was against a seriously under-funded, lackluster opponent. Without question, the 2022 campaign for MI-08 will be considerably more competitive and costly than any of his prior campaigns. His opponent is Paul Junge, previously a TV anchor on Fox News and an advisor to Trump. Junge is a known, seasoned candidate. He lost to Democrat Elissa Slotkin 51-47% in old MI-08 in 2020. In announcing his candidacy, Junge stated he is “running for Congress to fight for the conservative, America First principles that made our country strong and free” and to return “to the successful policies of the Trump Administration.”  (Detroit Free Press, 1/4/22)  

 

COMMITTEES + CAUCUSES

Committees

• Budget

• Science, Space and Technology, Environment Subcommittee

• Ways and Means Trade, Worker and Family Support Subcommittees, Subcommittee on Worker and Family Support

Caucuses

• Free Thought

• Fourth Amendment