Democrats have flipped control of Michigan’s 4th Congressional District after Democrat Sean McCann defeated eight-term Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-MI) for the toss-up race, adding to Republican woes after a brutal election night Tuesday.
The Associated Press called the race for McCann at 1:13 p.m. on Wednesday. He had 50.1% to Huizenga’s 43.3% with 97% of the vote counted.
The southwestern district includes Holland, Kalamazoo, and communities along the Lake Michigan shoreline, part of a broader region that Republicans have long controlled in Congress and that has aided Huizenga in past reelections with little fanfare.
But with a toss-up statewide Senate race and economic headwinds against Republicans dominating the national headlines, this go-around landed the contest among the toss-up seats that will determine party control of the lower chamber.
HOUSE DEMOCRATS MAKE PUSH FOR WESTERN MICHIGAN SEAT THAT’S LONG BEEN A GOP STRONGHOLD
Huizenga spared Republican Senate nominee Mike Rogers a messy primary by opting out of mounting a bid for the upper chamber and instead sought reelection. He is a close ally of President Donald Trump, who helped persuade Huizenga against a Senate campaign.
McCann is a state senator who was a strong fundraiser with the ability to grab a national media spotlight. He sought to turn voter frustration into a referendum on Huizenga’s longtime tenure in Washington.