Rep. Dan Kildee’s surprise announcement not to run for re-election means next November will be the first time in nearly five decades that someone with the last name Kildee is not running for Congress. And Republicans and Democrats are already pouncing to fill the Michigan-sized hole in what’s shaping up to be a cutthroat race.
Michigan’s 8th District was already a shiny target for Republicans after the seat was redrawn ahead of the 2022 election. It now slightly favors the GOP. But that didn’t matter so long as Dan Kildee was in office.
Kildee resoundingly won re-election last cycle by 10 points, but with the longtime and well-liked incumbent out, Republicans see a pick-up opportunity—especially as the GOP braces for a challenging 2024 path to hang onto the House majority.
