John Moolenaar

Three Democrats are set to face off in the primary election for Michigan’s District 2 congressional seat on Aug. 4.

Ben Ambrose, Jamie Hill and Clyde Welford are vying to become the Democratic Party’s nominee for the seat currently held by U.S. Rep. John Moolenaar, who is running for reelection as the Republican Party’s only candidate on ballots for the race. The winner of the Democratic primary will go on to face Moolenaar in the general election on Nov. 3.

The district encompasses portions of western and central Michigan, including all or parts of Barry, Gladwin, Gratiot, Isabella, Mecosta, Montcalm, Osceola, Midland, Muskegon and Ottawa counties.

Ben Ambrose

A U.S. Marine Corps combat veteran, Ambrose has served as a U.S. Senate advisor and federal executive, leading national initiatives focused on health care and technology and assisting with the development of enacted legislation.

Ambrose earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in international relations at Georgetown University, a master’s degree in business administration at Johns Hopkins University and completed graduate studies in anthropology at Harvard University. He currently works as a strategy consultant.

More information about Ambrose and his campaign is available online at ambrose4congress.com, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram.

Jamie Hill

Hill touts their comprehensive background in emergency management and response as well as their lifelong residency in rural Michigan.

Currently a physician assistant, Hill earned a Master of Medical Science degree from Yale School of Medicine. They also studied public safety and healthcare management at Siena Heights University and emergency management at Baker College.

Additional information about Hill and their campaign can be found online at electjamie.net, TikTok, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, BlueSky, Reddit and Snapchat.

Clyde Welford

Welford worked as a teacher in Baldwin and Grand Rapids for 35 years before retiring in 2015. He has also served on the Lake County Board of Commissioners and as a member of the Baldwin Board of Trustees.

A Grand Valley State College graduate, Welford earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in psychology and a Bachelor of Science degree in elementary and secondary education, according to his campaign website. He also completed a course in leadership as part of a doctoral program at Western Michigan University.

More information about Welford and his campaign are available online at clydewelford.com and Facebook.

John Moolenaar

Moolenaar has served in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2015. He has also served on the U.S. House Appropriations Committee and as the chairman of the U.S. House Select Committee on China.

He has also worked as a chemist and business development director as well as a school administrator.

Moolenaar earned a degree in chemistry from Hope College and a master’s degree in public administration from Harvard University.

More information about Moolenaar and his campaign are available online at johnmoolenaarforcongress.com, Facebook and X.

Candidate questions and responses:

Each of the candidates has responded to questions from the League of Women Voters of Michigan ahead of the August primary, identifying their top priorities if elected and their positions on pressing issues for the organization’s voter guide. None of the answers have been edited or corrected for grammar.

Healthcare: What specific steps will you take in Congress to address healthcare affordability, access and quality for the people you represent?

Ambrose: I have lead national healthcare initiatives at the Department of Veterans Affairs, and I believe healthcare should be affordable, accessible, and focused on outcomes. I support protecting the Affordable Care Act, lowering prescription drug costs through Medicare negotiation, expanding telehealth and mental health access, and strengthening rural healthcare systems. I am an insulin-dependent diabetic, so I understand firsthand how healthcare costs impact families. My focus will be on reducing costs, improving access, and ensuring patients—not insurance companies—remain at the center of healthcare decisions.

Hill: I support a single-payer system/Medicare for all. While that legislation is being worked on we need to triage the healthcare system to restore as much care to as many people as possible utilizing existing mechanisms; restoring the ACA subsidies, funding and requiring all states to offer expanded Medicaid, fully funding the VA and preventing attempts to privatize it, improving Tri-care, and fully funding the Indian Health Services. Creating legislation that blocks the vertical integration of healthcare providers, insurers, and pharmacies to increase competition in the market.

Welford: Specific steps that I would undertake to address healthcare, affordability, access and quality care for the people I represent, would include using the legislative process that reduce insurance costs, increase premium subsidies and insure Medicare and Medicaid continue to cover patients. I would support legislation that caps prescription costs in healthcare plans. A universal healthcare plan is long overdue for the citizens of Northwestern Michigan. I would increase funding for rural hospitals and support mobile health clinics and community health centers that service rural, migrants workers and the more densely populated towns and cities.

Moolenaar: I do not believe a one-size-fits-all, government takeover of our healthcare system is the answer. We should ensure families are able to choose the health care plan that best fits their needs through a free market system. Additionally, as a member of the House Appropriations subcommittee that has oversight of health care funding, I have been proud to support investments into the National Institutes of Health to research cures and treatments for cancer and other diseases.

Economy: What policy initiatives do you support for residents to earn a living wage and address the overall question of affordability across Michigan?

Ambrose: Affordability starts with good-paying jobs. I support strengthening unions, expanding apprenticeship programs, and rebuilding career and technical education so young people can enter the workforce without taking on crushing student debt. We need more electricians, welders, mechanics, nurses, and skilled trades professionals. I will fight to bring manufacturing jobs back to Michigan, invest in rural economic development, lower healthcare and prescription drug costs, and increase housing availability. A strong middle class is built when people can find good work, earn a living wage, and keep more of what they earn.

Hill: Single payer healthcare will be a huge driver of economic growth in rural America which is my primary initiative. Other goals include: Returning to an evidence-based trade policy that removes irresponsible tariffs. Returning funding to consumer protection agencies. Blocking funding for foreign military action so that money can be invested in the American public. Increase the Federal minimum wage to an inflation adjusted livable wage. Tax large corporations that have employees needing government assistance because of poor wages.

Welford: I would increasing the minimum wage. I would also support providing funding for partnership with businesses/government to train students to develop skills that will transfer directly into manufacturing, building trades, heavy equipment operation, etc., and other unionized well paying jobs. However, simply increasing wages while inflation is rising is only part of the solution. When addressing affordability, housing becomes one of largest expenses. i support reforming local ordinances to allow more constructions, Provide incentives to convert vacant building into housing. I would also support regional housing partnerships in rural communities.

Moolenaar: Michigan families deserve an economy that rewards hard work, creates opportunity, and helps businesses succeed. I believe growth is driven by free markets, lower taxes, reduced regulations, responsible spending, affordable energy, and policies that encourage innovation, entrepreneurship, and investment in American workers and manufacturers. I supported the Working Families Tax Cuts, which expanded energy production, made the 2017 tax cuts permanent, eliminated taxes on tips and overtime, expanded the child tax credit, enhanced tax relief for seniors, and put more money back into the pockets of hardworking Michiganders.

Environment and energy: How would you approach ensuring energy reliability, consumer affordability and environmental protection in Michigan?

Ambrose: Michigan should strive for greater energy independence by producing more of our own power and strengthening the reliability of our electric grid. I support an all-of-the-above energy strategy that includes wind, hydroelectric, solar, and other emerging technologies while ensuring energy remains affordable for working families. We should create incentives that encourage clean energy innovation, not mandates that burden consumers. At the same time, we must protect the Great Lakes, address PFAS contamination, and preserve Michigan’s natural resources for future generations.

Hill: Energy independence and sustainability are vital to our communities but especially so for our rural communities. The federal government needs to be leading the scientific research into energy and environmental sustainability. There needs to be a science-based approach that works to reduce the environmental impact of current engine/power generation while creating more efficient alternative sources of power. There is no one-size-fits-all solution, we will need a combination of fossil fuels, renewables, and nuclear energy to sustain our future. The federal government needs to believe in science again.

Welford: Energy reliability in Michigan will depend on having the infrastructure that can accommodate and support our energy needs. For profit energy companies charge customers more and more without showing how increase cost will result in better service. That has not been the result. Regulatory agencies should monitor and not simply approve rate increases just because they ask. Our government could partner with solar companies that could compete with utility companies and produce cheaper more reliable alternatives for energy. Our environment is sacred. I would support environmental and activist groups fighting to preserve our drinking water and air.

Moolenaar: I support an all-of-the-above energy strategy that expands domestic energy production and preserves consumer choice. I introduced the Line 5 Act to help ensure the continued operation of the Line 5 pipeline that supplies about 55% of Michigan’s propane and serves roughly 320,000 households. Energy security is national security. I support protecting the Great Lakes through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and efforts at Brandon Road Lock and Dam to prevent invasive species, like Asian carp, from harming the region’s economy, recreation, and natural resources and to ensure that our outdoor heritage can be enjoyed for centuries to come.

Immigration: What is your position on due process, First Amendment and Fourth Amendment rights for all Michigan residents, including noncitizens, and what changes, if any, would you support?

Ambrose: The Constitution does not stop at citizenship status. Due process, free speech, and protection from unreasonable searches are fundamental American principles that should be respected by government. Our immigration system needs comprehensive reform based on facts and evidence, not political talking points. We should reduce processing backlogs, modernize legal immigration pathways, and ensure decisions are made efficiently and fairly. I believe Congress has a responsibility to create a system that is humane, functional, and consistent with our constitutional values while meeting the economic and workforce needs of our country.

Hill: Every person standing on US soil deserves full access to due process and their full constitutional rights. End of story. Any organization or individual that is violating those rights needs to be investigated, disbanded, and criminally charged as appropriate. Our immigration system needs a full overhaul that will allow the backlog of cases to be cleared and methods for currently undocumented individuals to become citizens or obtain a permanent worker status. The federal government’s ability to track and collect data on citizens without receiving a warrant needs to be restricted.

Welford: In an article I published on Facebook entitled “Melt The Ice,” I state that I am in staunch opposition of Ice Detention Centers operating in any city, or town in Michigan. I’m exercising my 1st Amendment Freedom of Speech. I cite probable civil right violations including unlawful search and seizure, and our Constitutional Miranda Rights. A Writ of Habeas Corpus protects against unlawful detention, meaning the government’s responsibly to prove the detention is lawful. If the government fails, the person must be set free. Of approximately 13,000 immigrant cases adjudicated, 1,000 were found guilty. 90% were innocent, yet some remain detained.

Moolenaar: We are a nation built on the rule of law, and that includes strong border security. Under the current Administration, the southern border has been secured and must remain so to prevent illegal immigration and protect national security. Existing federal laws should be enforced consistently, including the deportation of immigrants who commit crimes. We also need reforms to visa programs so businesses can access needed workers while ensuring visa holders return home when their visas expire rather than remaining in the United States unlawfully.

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