- The 14-term incumbent Rep. Fred Upton has successfully defended his seat in Michigan’s 6th Congressional District from a challenge by the Democrat Jon Hoadley, according to Decision Desk HQ.
- The district is located in southwestern Michigan and contains all of Berrien, Cass, St. Joseph, and Van Buren counties.
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The 14-term incumbent Rep. Fred Upton has won reelection for Michigan’s 6th Congressional District after a challenge from the Democrat Jon Hoadley, according to Decision Desk HQ.
The candidates
Upton, the former chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, has been in office since 1986. He was a member of the Office of Management and Budget under President Ronald Reagan. His campaign platform includes plans to lower prescription-drug prices, end the country’s opioid epidemic, and make Michigan communities safer.
Hoadley is in his third term as a state representative for Michigan’s 6th State House District. He currently serves on the state’s Appropriations Committee and is a member of the Michigan Democrat’s LGBT and Allies Caucus. Had he been elected, he would have become the first openly gay person to represent Michigan in Congress.
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The district
Michigan’s 6th Congressional District is located in the state’s southwestern region. The district is home to all of Berrien, Cass, St. Joseph, and Van Buren counties, as well as part of Allegan County.
The district has traditionally leaned Republican, with President Donald Trump carrying it by 8 points in 2016, but has shown indications it could be competitive for Democrats this cycle.
Upton won reelection by a little over 4 points in 2018, the Republican Senate candidate John James carried the district by a margin of 3 points over the incumbent Sen. Debbie Stabenow, and Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer almost exactly tied the GOP gubernatorial candidate Bill Schuette, 42.2% to 42.38%, in the district, according to the Daily Kos.
The money race
According to the Center for Responsive Politics, Upton raised $3.2 million, spent $2.4 million, and had about $864,000 in cash on hand as of September 30. Hoadley raised $2.7 million, spent $2.4 million, and had about $248,000 in cash on hand.
What experts say
The race between Upton and Hoadley was rated as "likely Republican" by Inside Elections and "leans Republican" by The Cook Political Report and Sabato's Crystal Ball at the University of Virginia Center for Politics.