Michigan — 4th District

KALAMAZOO, MI — Three candidates are facing off to represent Michigan’s 4th District in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Republican Bill Huizenga faces two others competing for the seat: Sean McCann and Green Party candidate Shafina Che Barnett.

Huizenga is the current U.S. representative for Michigan’s 4th Congressional District. He is a small business operator and co-owner of Huizenga Gravel Co. in Georgetown Township. Previously, he was a realtor, district director and representative for the 90th District in the Michigan State Legislature.

Huizenga won reelection in 2024 with 55% of the vote.

McCann attended Western Michigan University and later became a Kalamazoo city commissioner, state representative and now serves as a state senator in Southwest Michigan.

The fourth district includes all of Allegan and Van Buren counties and portions of Berrien, Calhoun, Kalamazoo and Ottawa. It spans from Port Sheldon Township in Ottawa County down the shores of Lake Michigan to Lincoln Township in Berrien County along Lake Michigan.

Extending inland, it includes the cities of Battle Creek, Portage and Kalamazoo.

MLive has partnered with the League of Women Voters and Vote411 to produce this voter guide. All responses are taken from the responses candidates submitted to the online survey or submitted to MLive directly.

MLive / League of Women Voters guide

Compare candidates and proposal information for the Nov. 3 general election with our online voter guide, a partnership between MLive and the League of Women Voters. Vote411.org/Michigan.

All responses in the voter guide were submitted directly by the candidate and have not been edited by the League of Women Voters, 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.

Che Barnett did not respond to the survey before publication.

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

McCann

Too many families are struggling to afford healthcare. In 2013, I was proud to vote for the expansion of Medicaid to one million people in MI, making it possible for more families to have healthcare coverage, but we need to do more. Politicians in Washington have made it harder for families to access affordable healthcare. Cuts to Medicaid, jeopardizing rural hospitals, and the refusal to extend ACA tax credits paid for by tax breaks for the wealthy, must be undone. I’ll fight to restore healthcare access and make it more affordable. I’ll expand Medicaid, extend the ACA credits, and fight for lower prescription costs and against further cuts.

Huizenga

Every family deserves quality health care without worrying about whether they can afford the bill. I’ve taken on drug companies and prescription drug middlemen to lower costs, stop drug companies from blocking cheaper alternatives, and increase access to generics. I also voted for landmark legislation that CBO estimates would lower healthcare premiums by an average of 11% for families. Here at home, I helped deliver $1.6 million for mental health and substance abuse treatment. Lowering prescription and insurance costs, expanding telehealth and HSAs, and giving families more affordable choices will remain one of my top priorities.

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

McCann

Michigan families work hard and should be able to earn a living wage, access affordable housing and health care, pay for gas to fill their cars and groceries to feed their families.

I was proud to deliver one of the largest tax relief packages in MI history. It’s time to do more: I’ll work to cut taxes for middle class families, oppose reckless tariffs, and stand up against forever wars that cost our country billions while jacking up gas and grocery prices.

I’ll fight to restore healthcare and lower prescription costs. I’ll stop private equity from buying up available housing to jack up rent prices. I support raising the federal minimum wage.

Huizenga

Families are working hard, but too many feel like their paycheck doesn’t go as far as it used to. I helped pass the largest tax cut in American history, saving the average Michigan family about $3,100 a year, with no tax on tips and overtime and major savings for seniors on Social Security. I also wrote the provision allowing families to deduct interest on loans for American-made cars. For too many young families, the dream of owning a home is slipping out of reach. I helped pass a bipartisan housing law to build more homes, cut red tape, and ban large Wall Street investors from buying up single-family homes.

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

McCann

From the Great Lakes to our rivers and everything in between, our clean air and water is what makes Michigan great. We know what happens when you don’t take care of the water, as we saw with the lead water crisis in Benton Harbor and PFAS-contaminated water in Parchment.

No one should have to worry about the safety of the water they drink.

Michigan can be a leader in the growing domestic and clean energy economy – we should be building energy infrastructure here at home, so we don’t have to rely on foreign oil or foreign energy. We can create good-paying energy jobs and lower utility rates while we’re at it.

Huizenga

People shouldn’t have to fear filling up their car or opening their utility bill. I’ve called for suspending state and federal gas taxes to lower prices by roughly 71 cents a gallon. Sean McCann voted to raise Michigan’s gas tax to the highest in the Midwest. As massive data centers drive up demand for electricity and water, families shouldn’t get stuck with the bill. Local communities should have a say in what gets built, and if billion-dollar corporations need more power, water or infrastructure, they should pay for it. I’ll fight for affordable, reliable American energy that keeps costs down.

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?

McCann

Our immigration system is broken – we need real, common-sense reforms that keep our communities safe. I believe in strong borders. I believe that criminals should be held accountable under the law. I do not believe that we should be tearing families apart and causing chaos in our street instead of focusing on holding criminals accountable.

Real reform means creating pathways to citizenship for those who have been living, working, and paying taxes in our communities for years. We can address immigration issues in a way consistent with our values as Americans.

Huizenga

We can secure our border and enforce our laws while respecting constitutional rights and having a legal immigration system that works for Michigan. I support stronger border security, tougher asylum laws, and giving law enforcement the tools to combat fentanyl and human trafficking. Southwest Michigan’s farms, tourism businesses, and other employers also rely on legal workers. That’s why I’ve worked across the aisle to improve the H-2A and H-2B programs, reduce unreasonable costs on family farms, and help local businesses find workers when they simply can’t find enough Americans to fill those jobs.