By Autumn Perry

Tuesday, former Genesee County treasurer Dan Kildee made it official that he’s running for the U.S. House seat currently held by his uncle Dale Kildee. The formal announcement came on his website.

Dan Kildee kicked off his campaign for the 5th House seat by making stops throughout Mid-Michigan Tuesday. He is the first Democrat to officially enter the race.

“This is something I’m driven to do, so I’m all in,” he said.

Dan Kildee wants to keep it in the family. He’s going after the congressional seat held by his uncle for more than 30 years. “While on one hand we give credit to Dale for the work that he’s done over the years, it’s really time for us to roll up our sleeves and fight these battles because there’s too much at stake,” Dan Kildee said.

It won’t be an easy road to Capitol Hill. While he is the first democrat in, tough competitors could face him in the party primary.

“There are other democrats, John Gleason, Woodrow Stanley, that have talked about running that are serious competitors,” said political expert Paul Rozycki.

Rozycki adds, the Kildee name could perhaps give Dan the edge he needs. “There’s going to be a connection and the Kildee name has been here for so long that’s going to be an enormous advantage for any candidate.”

Dan Kildee says he’ll fight for workers, as his uncle did. Among his campaign promises is a fair tax policy that promotes business and brings jobs back to Mid-Michigan. “The next economy is different [than] the last economy in that it will be much more focused on skills and innovation and technology, but we still have to have a manufacturing base and have industry policy,” he said.

Dan Kildee isn’t the only candidate with his hat in the ring. Former State Representative Jim Slezak is running for the 5th house seat as a Republican.

Source: WJRT