Kristen McDonald Rivet and Paul Junge

Kristen McDonald Rivet has won the Democratic primary for Michigan's 8th Congressional District, defeating Matt Collier and Pamela Pugh, while Paul Junge secured the Republican nomination after outpacing his opponents. McDonald Rivet, a state senator and former executive director of Michigan Head Start, received significant endorsements, including from retiring Congressman Dan Kildee and Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Junge, a former Trump administration official, garnered nearly 75% of the GOP votes, setting the stage for a competitive general election in November. This election is especially significant as it marks the first time in over 50 years that the Kildee family will not be represented in Congress for this district. The newly drawn district is considered a toss-up, with Democrats needing to retain the seat to maintain their slim majority in Michigan's U.S. House delegation. Political observers anticipate a fiercely contested race, given the shifting demographics and political landscape of the area.