The race in Michigan’s new 13th Congressional District features a state legislator running against a small business liaison.
Democratic state Rep. Shri Thanedar of Detroit, a former business owner and entrepreneur, is running against Republican Martell Bivings of Detroit, who works for the Detroit Economic Growth Corp.
The district is located in Wayne County and includes the communities of Dearborn Heights, Wayne, Romulus, Taylor, Southgate, Detroit, Allen Park, Melvindale, Ecorse, Lincoln Park, Wyandotte, Highland Park, Harper Woods, River Rouge, Grosse Pointe, Grosse Pointe Park, Grosse Pointe Farms, and Grosse Pointe Woods.
VIEW HERE: Map of Michigan’s new 13th Congressional District
According to the most recent Federal Election Commission (FEC) campaign finance disclosures, the two candidates have raised a combined $8.2 million while spending another $6.9 million.
The general election is Nov. 8, but Michigan voters can now vote by absentee ballot.
Both candidates shared their views with The Press & Guide on issues important to voters. Their responses have been edited for clarity and brevity.
Abortion
Reproductive rights are an important issue in this year’s midterm elections. In Michigan, voters will have the opportunity to vote on a constitutional amendment to provide permanent protections for reproductive rights, including abortion, and invalidate the state’s 1931 abortion ban. Do you believe that abortion should be legal? If so, please explain your reasoning. If not, do you support abortions with exceptions for incest, rape, and to save the life of the mother? Please explain your reasoning.
Bivings: I do not personally support abortions. My father begged my mother to abort me. I am so happy and blessed that she did not. My father at this juncture is also happy. Since I am seeking to represent the people, I support abortion with exceptions.
Thanedar: I fully support reproductive rights and freedom. As a state representative, I co-sponsored legislation to make abortion a right. Abortion is a private decision that the government has no place in.
Inflation
What more needs to be done to help bring down costs for families that are struggling to make ends meet with the inflation rate above 8%?
Bivings: We need to get back to being energy independent, medical supply independent, supply independent, chip independent, American manufacture independent. Get people productive in the workforce. These are the first steps to reducing inflation.
Thanedar: There’s a lot that needs to be done to help families afford daily life. We need more investment in addressing supply side issues, like what was done in the Inflation Reduction Act and the CHIPs Act. We also need to provide training and education so people in this district can have the skills they need to get good-paying jobs. Workers rights must also be protected, to ensure that people receive good wages and benefits.
Democracy
What are the greatest threats to our democracy here in Michigan and nationwide?
Bivings: We do not have a democratic form of government. The United States functions under a democratic republic form of government where we have elected representation. So, the greatest threat to our republic is lack of knowledge.
Thanedar: Trump and his Republican allies are pushing a false narrative about the 2020 election in order to take away our voting rights. All round the country, and in Michigan, we see Republican officials push efforts to curb early voting, mail-in voting, and more. All of their efforts disproportionately affect Black people and we cannot let them take away our voting rights.
Crime
According to FBI statistics, the U.S. violent crime rate is increasing. As of 2020, Michigan’s violent crime rate, including homicides, was about 20% higher than the national rate. What will you do to help bring down the rate of violent crime in our communities?
Bivings: Bring back manufacturing to America and get Americans in these facilities earning a wage that allows one to hold their head high. We must get back to strong family values and God being in our lives and in school. I think these will help reduce crime.
Thanedar: Detroit has one of the slowest law enforcement response times and I will fight to bring in federal funding to help recruit more police officers and retain those we already have. We also have to work to curb gun violence. I support common-sense gun safety legislation like universal background checks, banning assault weapons, getting ghost guns off the street, etc. Long term, we should address some of the underlying issues such as a lack of mental health resources, housing, and economic concerns.
Education
Specifically, what needs to be done to improve our public education system to provide educators and students with the resources needed to feel safe, secure, and supported to ensure consistent success and progress in the classroom? In addition, how can public education funding be changed to ensure there’s equitable financial support for our nation’s, and Michigan’s, most vulnerable and at-risk students?
Bivings: Equality and opportunity are the greatest factors in education. When parents are deciding where their child should matriculate, they should have a multitude of choices. Every child learns differently which requires our academic system to be extremely diverse in its approach to educating. Every American child in the 21 century deserves to be in an academic setting that cultivates and ignites their God-given talent. Kids, as well as parents, need choice and freedom. One’s socioeconomic status and geographic location should not be a factor.
Thanedar: Congress should finally fully fund IDEA, which would help schools increase their budget overall, and increase Title I funding. We have to support teachers by increasing teacher pay and supporting public schools.
Constituent concerns
While you’ve been on the campaign trail, what are some of the top-of-mind issues that constituents have been discussing with you? What issues are most important to them right now?
Bivings: School choice. Easier pathways to entrepreneurship. Transition from renting to homeownership.
Thanedar: Rising costs, voting rights, mental health, education, and women’s rights have been the top-of-mind issues for constituents, and that has been the case throughout the campaign.
