LANSING, Mich. (AP) – Michigan State University professor Josh Cowen announced on Thursday, October 5, 2023, that he is entering the race for a highly competitive congressional district in Michigan, aiming to unseat Republican Rep. Tom Barrett. Cowen joins a growing field of Democrats in challenging Barrett, who holds the 7th Congressional District seat that he flipped in the 2024 election.
In an interview with The Associated Press, Cowen cited issues such as federal worker layoffs, cuts to research funding, and changes to Medicaid as key motivators for his decision to run for the Lansing-area seat. "What it really means in our daily lives is disinvestment from services that we depend on," Cowen, an education policy academic known for his opposition to school vouchers, stated. His research and arguments against vouchers have made him a notable figure in discussions around education funding.
School vouchers, a contentious topic in education policy, involve allocating public funding that can be used for private school tuition. Cowen's criticism of this system positions him in stark contrast to prominent Republicans such as Betsy DeVos, who served as education secretary during President Donald Trump’s administration and continues to influence Michigan Republican politics. Cowen remarked, "We don’t need DeVos and her billionaires pushing their harmful agenda that benefits a select few at the expense of the many," emphasizing his commitment to equitable education funding.
Cowen's campaign announcement comes on the heels of other significant entries into the race for the Democratic nomination, including former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink and former Navy SEAL Matt Maasdam. The increased competition reflects the strategic importance of the district, which encompasses the capital city of Lansing and extends into surrounding rural areas.
Republican Tom Barrett, an Army veteran, secured the 7th Congressional District seat in the recent 2024 election with a narrow victory of 3.7 points over his Democratic opponent, Elissa Slotkin, who opted to run for the Senate. Barrett's win allowed Republicans to maintain a slim majority in the House of Representatives. Following his recent electoral success, Barrett has also reported an impressive fundraising total of $2 million this year, positioning him as a formidable incumbent in the upcoming election cycle.
The dynamics within this battleground district illustrate the broader political landscape in Michigan, where shifts in voter sentiment and key issues such as education funding and healthcare are expected to be pivotal in influencing the outcome of the congressional race.
