KALAMAZOO — State Sen. Sean McCann, a Democrat currently representing District 19 that includes the Kalamazoo area, has thrown his hat in the ring among a crowded progressive field of challengers vying for Michigan’s Fourth Congressional District.

The seat is currently held by U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga, a Republican, but is being targeted by Democrats as they attempt to regain a majority in the U.S. House of Representatives in 2026.

In a Monday statement announcing his campaign, McCann highlighted Social Security, Medicaid, freedom of choice, and cost of living as the key issues he is campaigning on.

“I’ve spent my life working for our community and putting politics aside to deliver tax relief for Michigan families, protect women's right to choose, and bring good-paying jobs back home,” McCann's campaign said in the prepared statement. “And I’ll keep fighting to get your costs down, protect your Social Security and healthcare, and take on the special interests to actually get things done for working people — because it’s time for Washington to work for the people of Southwest Michigan.

McCann raised particular concern over the impact recent legislation will have on community members, including the “Big Beautiful Bill,” which was supported by Huizenga. 

“I voted to expand Medicaid when I was in the state house in 2013 and now here we are today facing the federal government, the Trump administration and Bill Huizenga having voted to take healthcare away from people.”

In the same announcement, McCann also denounced tax breaks for billionaires and emphasized a focus on families and the working class. He highlighted the recent closure of Howard Miller over housing costs and tariffs.

“These are real impacts on real jobs in Ottawa County and in the Fourth Congressional District," he said.

Although McCann hasn’t previously served Ottawa County, he said he looks forward to sharing his platform as he campaigns in the area.

“I’m excited to campaign and get to know voters in areas that I haven’t represented previously. I think once people get to know me well, they’ll like what they see,” he said.

McCann attended Western Michigan University and then served as a Kalamazoo County Commissioner for ten years. He was elected to the Michigan State Senate in 2011. Facing Michigan term limits, he now seeks to move on to the national level. 

“Our families deserve a representative who works as hard as they do and who focuses on what matters to them, and that’s why I’m running for Congress,” he said.

McCann faces a candidate who has held a seat for 14 years and a district that has been Republican for 90 years. The Cook Political Report listed the district as “Likely Republican” for the 2026 election. However, the election could still play a vital role in determining the House majority. The Fourth Congressional District is one of three Republican seats targeted by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee as a “District in Play,” alongside the seats held by Tom Barrett (R-7) and an empty seat left by John James (R-10). 

Huizenga previously represented the second district from 2011 to 2023. Holland and much of Ottawa County merged with the Sixth District when lines were redrawn in 2022, which Huizenga subsequently won and has since held. Huizenga indicated he might seek the future open seat left by Gary Peters in the U.S. Senate, but no official announcement has been made. 

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Some locals have raised concern over Huizenga not holding an in-person town hall since 2018. McCann said that he has emphasized community events throughout his career and will continue to do so if he gains the seat.

“Congress people might wanna think that they’re celebrities at the end of the day, but they’re really supposed to be from and with the people. I think that’s a mindset change that I hope to communicate to the voters here,” McCann said.

Democrats Jessica Swartz, Richard Aaron and Diop Harris are also running for the seat. Swartz previously lost to Huizenga in 2024.

— Contact reporter Lee Marentette at newsroom@ottawanewsnetwork.org.