Michigan’s 11th Congressional District race: The differences between Andy Levin and Haley Stevens

U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Waterford) and U.S. Rep. Andy Levin (D-Bloomfield Township) are facing off in the newly redrawn 11th Congressional District. That’s partly because the new districts in Michigan were drawn up by an independent citizens commission.

Levin fashions himself as a pragmatic progressive, and has won support of labor unions and the backing of Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont). He also talks a lot about our warming climate, and the need to bring more clean energy jobs to Michigan to combat climate change. Stevens, on the other side, talks about her work in the Obama administration, helping to bail out the auto industry and lowering health insurance costs. She’s won support from political staples like retiring Rep. Brenda Lawrence.

The cities that are included in the 11th District have become more diverse by class, race and political affiliation and it leaves questions about how far to the left the area is shifting.

“I think it’s a very interesting race in terms of what that district looks like and where that district is gonna go, and, of course, this race, like always, is going to be determined by who actually votes in this primary.” — Todd Spangler, Detroit Free Press

Listen: Why the race in Michigan’s 11th Congressional District looks so close.

Guest

Todd Spangler is a Detroit Free Press writer covering politics. He’s been covering Reps. Andy Levin and Haley Stevens. He says the race is likely going to be close, and may be a contest between swing voters and more progressive-leaning individuals.

“I think it’s a very interesting race in terms of what that district looks like and where that district is gonna go, and, of course, this race, like always, is going to be determined by who actually votes in this primary,” says Spangler.