Incumbent Gary Peters (D), John James (R), and Marcia Squier (Green Party) completed Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey. Peters was first elected in 2014 when he won his election by a margin of 13.3 percentage points. James challenged Michigan's other U.S. Senator, Debbie Stabenow (D), in 2018 and lost by a margin of 6.5 percentage points. As of July 15, Peters’ campaign had raised $21,809,255 while James’ campaign had raised $20,493,428.
Ballotpedia asks all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey so voters can discover what motivates them on political and personal levels.
We asked the candidates, “What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?”
Peters: “1) Ensuring Michigan Families Have Access to Quality, Affordable Health Care Coverage,” “2) Rebuilding Our Economy,” and “3) Protecting the Great Lakes.”
James: “1. Education and Entrepreneurship,” “2. Foreign Policy,” and “3. Public Health.”
Squier: “Women's Rights, Minority Rights, Domestic Violence Awareness & Prevention, Environmental Restoration & Preservation, Noninterventionist Military Policies, and ending the War on Drugs.”
When asked what they perceived as the United States’ greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade, the candidates’ responses were:
Peters: “A critical challenge facing our country is rebuilding our economy and working to develop a comprehensive national strategic plan for American manufacturing to ensure Michiganders have good-paying jobs and addressing the glaring vulnerabilities in our medical supply chain.”
James: “Our first challenge is partisanship-- we need leaders who are proven unifiers because partisanship is tearing the Nation apart. After that, Americans are hurting and scared right now. Whether it's concern for their health well-being, concern about inequality, or simply hopelessness associated with financial anxiety and socio-economic immobility.”
Squier: “I believe our greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade will be difficult to face and overcome if we don't unite as a collective for the greater good. Once united, we can overcome issues like corporate greed, pollution, election integrity, education, healthcare, systemic racism, police brutality, and overbloated, top-heavy military budgets.”
In 2018, 1,957 candidates completed a Candidate Connection survey. This number represents 6.9% of all 28,315 candidates Ballotpedia covered during that cycle. Out of the 1,957 respondents, 477 (24.4%) won their elections.
To read the candidates’ responses and learn more about the race, click here: United States Senate election in Michigan, 2020