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