Michigan’s race for Congress: Tim Walberg seeks another term in new 5th District
Incumbent U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg, R-Tipton, is running to represent the new 5th Congressional District and retain his seat in Congress. The territory of his new district has changed significantly, but voters there are more conservative than the seat he now represents.
First elected to Congress in 2006, Walberg lost a re-election bid to Democrat Mark Schauer, but Walberg won back the seat in 2010 and has been in office since. He serves on the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the House Education and Labor Committee.
While in office, Walberg has supported gun rights, religious freedom and other conservative causes. He has backed efforts to lower prescription drug costs, update U.S. trade agreements, lower taxes and cut federal spending.
Walberg was one of four Michigan congressional Republicans who in December 2020 signed onto an amicus brief in support of a lawsuit contesting the results of the 2020 presidential election. He has been endorsed by former President Donald Trump.
Before his congressional career, Walberg was a member of the Michigan House of Representatives and a pastor.
He faces Democrat Bart Goldberg of New Buffalo in the Nov. 8 election.
Goldberg, an attorney, supports expanding Medicare by lowering the eligibility age, raising the minimum wage, protecting union rights, codifying abortion rights and expanding voting rights.
Libertarian Norman Peterson and Ezra Scott of the U.S. Taxpayers Party are also on the ballot.
How things have changed
The district Walberg currently represents covers Monroe, Lenawee, Hillsdale and Branch counties along the state’s southern border and extends northward into Jackson, Eaton and western Washtenaw counties.
The new 5th Congressional District stretches along the entirety of Michigan’s southern border. It still includes all of Jackson County and also covers portions of Calhoun and Kalamazoo counties.
What to expect
This district is more conservative politically than the one Walberg currently represents, making the path to reelection easier for the sitting incumbent following the redistricting process.
Walberg defeated primary challenger Sherry O’Donnell in August and is expected to easily retain his seat in Congress in this solidly Republican district.
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