Federal
U.S. Representative, 8th Congressional District
- Vote for
- 1
- Term
- 2 years
- Candidates
- 5
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
What this office does: A member of the U.S. House of Representatives votes on federal laws, taxes and spending on behalf of the district.
Covers Genesee, Saginaw and Bay counties and part of Midland and Tuscola counties.
Taxes & budget
Thomas J. SmithRepublican
- Supports balancing the budget and cutting taxes
C. Mia PettusLibertarian
No documented position found.
Jim CashaGreen
No documented position found.
Kathy GoodwinWorking Class
No documented position found.
Kristen McDonald RivetDemocratic
- Introduced a tax credit up to $5,500 per young childIn office
- Introduced a bill ending federal tax breaks for data centersIn office
Public safety
Thomas J. SmithRepublican
- Supports finishing the border wall and ending catch-and-release
- Pledges to protect gun rights under the Second Amendment
C. Mia PettusLibertarian
No documented position found.
Jim CashaGreen
No documented position found.
Kathy GoodwinWorking Class
No documented position found.
Kristen McDonald RivetDemocratic
No documented position found.
Education
Thomas J. SmithRepublican
No documented position found.
C. Mia PettusLibertarian
No documented position found.
Jim CashaGreen
No documented position found.
Kathy GoodwinWorking Class
No documented position found.
Kristen McDonald RivetDemocratic
- Introduced a bill helping schools buy food from local farmsIn office
Environment & parks
Thomas J. SmithRepublican
- Supports oil, gas and nuclear energy; opposes green mandates
C. Mia PettusLibertarian
No documented position found.
Jim CashaGreen
No documented position found.
Kathy GoodwinWorking Class
No documented position found.
Kristen McDonald RivetDemocratic
- Co-led a call for faster Pentagon PFAS cleanupIn office
Health & human services
Thomas J. SmithRepublican
- Pledges to secure care and benefits for veterans
C. Mia PettusLibertarian
No documented position found.
Jim CashaGreen
No documented position found.
Kathy GoodwinWorking Class
No documented position found.
Kristen McDonald RivetDemocratic
- Supports abortion rights; backed Michigan's constitutional protectionIn office
Government & transparency
Thomas J. SmithRepublican
- Supports congressional term limits
C. Mia PettusLibertarian
No documented position found.
Jim CashaGreen
No documented position found.
Kathy GoodwinWorking Class
No documented position found.
Kristen McDonald RivetDemocratic
- Voted for a War Powers Resolution on IranIn office
- Introduced a bill banning officials from trading stocksIn office
Challengers are listed first and incumbents last; otherwise candidates appear in ballot order. The Gist does not rank, rate or endorse candidates. Only positions backed by a cited source are shown; 6 issues covered in this race.