Michigan — 8th District

D Democratic Kristen McDonald Rivet

Lowering costs and investing in workforce

McDonald Rivet focuses on lowering everyday expenses such as groceries, housing, prescription drugs, and child care. She advocates for workforce training programs to ensure access to high-wage jobs without requiring a college degree.

• Proposes workforce investments to prepare Michiganders for good-paying jobs.
• Focuses on reducing costs for groceries, housing, child care, and prescription medication.
• Voted against the H.R. 1 reconciliation bill and federal budget resolutions.

“to help level the playing field for working families. Kristen works with pragmatic leaders from both parties to lower the cost of groceries, housing and prescription drugs, and to invest in child care.”

“Michigan needs more high-wage jobs. Kristen will make sure we invest in our workforce to prepare Michiganders for the jobs of tomorrow because while college isn’t for everyone, good-paying jobs should be.”

R Republican Thomas J. Smith

Cutting taxes and federal spending

Smith campaigns on reducing the cost of living by advancing President Trump's America First agenda. His economic approach centers on cutting wasteful government spending, reducing regulations, and lowering taxes for working families.

• Pledges to advance President Trump's America First agenda to make America affordable.
• Advocates cutting wasteful government spending and deregulating.
• Proposes lowering taxes so working families retain more earnings.

“advance President Trump's America First agenda to lower costs for working families and make America affordable again.”

“Cutting wasteful spending, reducing regulations, and lowering taxes so families keep more of what they earn.”

D Democratic Kristen McDonald Rivet

Banning congressional stock and prediction trading

McDonald Rivet advocates reforming federal governance by banning members of Congress from trading stocks and prediction market contracts. She introduced legislation aimed at preventing politicians from using official positions for personal financial gain.

• Introduced legislation to prohibit Congressional stock and prediction market trading.
• Campaigns on reforming the system to prevent politicians from self-enrichment.
• Voted YEA on the Epstein Files Transparency Act (H.R. 4405).

“No one in government should be using their position to enrich themselves while working people struggle, regardless of Party.”

R Republican Thomas J. Smith

Enacting term limits and transparency

Smith advocates government reform through strict accountability measures for career politicians. He campaigns on enacting congressional term limits and expanding federal government transparency.

• Pushes for term limits on members of Congress.
• Advocates for increased government transparency and accountability.
• Positions himself as a conservative outsider reforming Washington.

“will push for term limits, government transparency, and accountability for career politicians.”

D Democratic Kristen McDonald Rivet

Supports selective enforcement and detention

McDonald Rivet has voted in favor of targeted law enforcement and detention measures for noncitizens arrested for specific crimes. However, she voted against broader voter registration citizenship documentation mandates like the SAVE Act.

• Voted YEA on the Laken Riley Act (S. 5) requiring DHS detention for noncitizens arrested for burglary or theft.
• Voted YEA on H.R. 875 making DUI offenses grounds for deportation or inadmissibility.
• Voted NAY on the SAVE Act (H.R. 22) requiring documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote.

R Republican Thomas J. Smith

Building wall and restoring deportations

Smith supports hardline border security and immigration policies to address national security concerns. He advocates finishing the southern border wall, ending catch-and-release, and expanding deportations.

• Calls for finishing construction of the southern border wall.
• Advocates restoring deportation procedures.
• Demands an immediate end to catch-and-release policies.

“Finishing the wall, restoring deportations, and ending catch-and-release to stop the national security crisis.”

D Democratic Kristen McDonald Rivet

Protecting gun safety laws

McDonald Rivet supports gun safety measures aimed at preventing firearm violence. She emphasizes restricting access to firearms for individuals deemed dangerous.

• Supports keeping firearms out of dangerous hands.
• Advocates for sensible gun safety laws.

“keeping guns out of dangerous hands.”

R Republican Thomas J. Smith

Defending First and Second Amendment rights

Smith campaigns on protecting constitutional rights against federal intervention. He pledges to defend First and Second Amendment liberties from federal overreach.

• Pledges to protect 1st and 2nd Amendment rights.
• Opposes federal overreach on constitutional freedoms.

“Protect the 1st and 2nd Amendment rights of every American. Tom will stand firm against federal overreach and defend the liberties that make America great.”

D Democratic Kristen McDonald Rivet

Defending abortion access

McDonald Rivet advocates for defending reproductive freedom and legal access to abortion. She is endorsed by Planned Parenthood Action Fund and EMILY's List.

• Supports defending the right to abortion.
• Endorsed by major reproductive rights organizations like Planned Parenthood Action Fund and EMILY's List.

“defending the right to abortion”

D Democratic Kristen McDonald Rivet

Lowering healthcare and prescription costs

McDonald Rivet focuses on making healthcare and prescription drugs affordable for working families. She highlights affordable healthcare as a key priority of her campaign platform.

• Identifies affordable healthcare as a core campaign priority.
• Works to reduce prescription drug prices.

“Groceries and prescriptions are unaffordable, gas is through the roof, and home ownership feels out of reach for the majority of Michiganders.”