DETROIT — Following a period of redistricting and several incumbents opting not to run for reelection, four congressional seats in Michigan have become strategic focuses for both major political parties as they strive for dominance in the U.S. House of Representatives.

The GOP is targeting two congressional districts in central Michigan that are currently open, with an aim to expand their majority. These two districts, which were redrawn in 2021, previously leaned Democratic during the midterm elections. This year’s contests are proving to be highly competitive, with millions being invested in campaigns as they are now regarded as true tossups, making these races among the most watched nationwide.

**8th Congressional District**
With veteran Democrat Dan Kildee announcing his decision not to run for reelection in Michigan’s 8th District, Republicans have a rare chance to reclaim the seat. Kildee had been in Congress since 2012, succeeding his uncle, Dale Kildee, who held the position for 36 years, representing the Flint and Saginaw areas.

For the Republicans, Paul Junge, a former news anchor and immigration official under Trump, is making his third attempt at Congress after losing to Kildee by approximately 10 points in 2022. Junge is addressing voters’ concerns regarding economic issues and immigration policies while also criticizing Democrat Kristen McDonald Rivet on national security matters. He attempts to link her to a Chinese battery manufacturing company planning to establish operations in Michigan—a focal point for Republican criticism.

Conversely, McDonald Rivet, a freshman state senator, portrays Junge as an outsider not aligned with local values and brands herself as a pragmatic representative of the middle class. Her campaign accentuates the protection of reproductive rights alongside addressing economic concerns similar to her opponent’s approach.

**7th Congressional District**
Moving to the 7th District, former state lawmakers Curtis Hertel Jr. (Democrat) and Tom Barrett (Republican) are competing for the seat left by U.S. Representative Elissa Slotkin. Slotkin is currently in the running for Michigan’s open U.S. Senate seat and had narrowly defeated Barrett in the 2022 midterms in a district that encompasses the state capital, Lansing, and adjacent rural areas.

Hertel, who previously served as a state senator and acted as the governor’s legislative director, has presented himself as a relatable figure through an ad campaign depicting him managing everyday tasks. He describes Barrett as an anti-abortion extremist while similarly criticizing Democrats’ handling of immigration to appeal to Republican voters.

In response, Barrett has targeted concerns related to inflation and has criticized Hertel’s stances on national security, utilizing his background as a former state representative and Army veteran in his advertisements.

**3rd Congressional District**
While the open districts are drawing significant attention, other congressional seats are also on the radar of national parties. Hillary Scholten made a significant impact by becoming the first Democrat to represent Grand Rapids in the U.S. House since the 1970s when she won the newly redrawn 3rd Congressional District in 2022. However, the surrounding Kent County has a strong Republican base, having voted for Trump in 2016 and Biden in 2020. The Republican campaign has already planned numerous visits to the county in 2024.

Scholten is facing opposition from Republican Paul Hudson, who previously failed in his attempt for the Michigan Supreme Court in 2022.

**10th Congressional District**
In Michigan’s 10th congressional district, which features the critical suburbs of Macomb County just north of Detroit, voters are gearing up for a rematch between Republican incumbent Rep. John James and Democrat Carl Marlinga. Marlinga narrowly lost to James by only 1,600 votes in 2022, making this district highly competitive and attracting substantial resources and attention from Democratic national organizations.