Democrat Kristen McDonald Rivet has successfully secured a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives for Michigan as of Wednesday. This win ensures that the Democratic Party maintains its influence in a highly contested district following the decision of Rep. Dan Kildee to step down after nearly ten years of service, primarily representing the Flint area.

Currently, McDonald Rivet holds a seat in the Michigan state Senate, where she covers the regions of Midland, Saginaw, and Bay City. In this recent election, she faced off against Republican challenger Paul Junge, who had previously attempted to unseat Kildee in 2022 and has experience working with U.S. Customs and Immigration Services during the Trump administration.

The announcement of McDonald Rivet’s victory came early in the morning, specifically at 6:09 a.m. EST, as reported by various news outlets. This election outcome is significant, not only for Rivet and her political aspirations but also for the broader Democratic strategy in holding onto crucial seats in a challenging political landscape.