MLive: Two running for Michigan’s 9th Congressional District

OAKLAND COUNTY, MI - Two candidates are running for a chance to fulfill Michigan’s 9th Congressional District in the upcoming August primary.

Republican U.S. Rep. Lisa McClain is running against Democrat Clinton St. Mosley.

The U.S. House District 9 spans much of Michigan’s Thumb region.

McClain first was elected to office in 2020. She serves as a member of the House Armed Services Committee, including both the Subcommittee on Military Personnel and Subcommittee on Readiness. McClain also serves on the House Education and Labor Committee, including both the Higher Education and Workforce Investment Subcommittee and the Civil Rights and Human Services Subcommittee.

Mosley, a small business owner and insurance agent, has 20+ years in leadership, customer service and sales.

MLive has partnered with the League of Women Voters of Michigan Education Fund this year to provide voters with a Vote411 election guide that provides information about candidates running in local primary races across the state.

Candidates were asked to fill out general information about their campaigns and answer a list of questions compiled by the League of Women Voters.

All responses in the voter guide were submitted directly by the candidate and have not been edited by the League of Women Voters or MLive, except for necessary cuts if a reply exceeded character limitations. Spelling and grammar were not corrected. Publication of candidate statements and opinions is solely in the interest of public service and should NOT be considered as an endorsement. The League never supports or opposes any candidates or political parties.

Information on other state, county and local primary races can be found at Vote411.org.

Here’s how the candidates in this race responded to the Vote411 candidate questionnaire.

McClain, as of this writing, hasn’t submitted her answers to the questionnaire.

Why are you running for U.S. Congress (Or U.S. Senate)?

Mosley: I am a father, husband and small business owner. I am running for U.S. House of Representatives because there is a better way forward. There is a better way to represent the 775,000 people in our district. There is a better way than extremism and TikTok politics. We need choices in a healthy democracy and I am the choice for those who want healthier outcomes, more opportunities for themselves and their children, a vibrant and world-class education system, and reproductive rights for all.

How, and to what extent, would you negotiate and compromise with your colleagues to pass critical legislation?

Mosley: The foundation of our democracy was built on us working together. Our founders knew how important it was to a democracy and for the people. I will put constituents first when it comes to legislation. If legislation will improve the lives of working families in Michigan I will work, negotiate and compromise with anyone in Congress. On the other hand, if anyone attempt to remove freedoms and rights from my constituents, I will fight like hell for those freedoms.

What recommendations, if any, would you propose to change U.S. immigration policy?

Mosley: We need comprehensive immigration reform, the last time we passed meaningful legislation was back in the 1980s. We need to expand legal immigration and increase the static caps so that more people have a legal way to immigrant especially including high skill talent (H-1B visas) and entrepreneurs (start-up visas). We also need to ensure a path to legal status for those workers who are already here and have been contributing to a healthy society and economy. Lastly and most importantly we need to create a path for those who came as children to legal status (DREAMers).

What policies, if any, will you advance regarding reproductive health?

I believe a women’s right to reproductive care should be enshrined in our federal laws and Constitution. We have to create a system of support for access to care in every state and remove the burden and liability from hospitals and doctors in order to allow them to care for their patients the way they were scientifically trained to do.

By Fuad Shalhout