First in Punchbowl News: Rep. Hillary Scholten (D-Mich.) has a new television ad highlighting her generations-long West Michigan roots as the Frontliner tries to woo independent voters in the battleground district.
The ad, titled “Traditions,” details how Scholten’s “faith and family” drove her interest in public service. The six-figure ad will air on cable this week and go up on broadcast networks next week.
“I’m a Democrat — a pro-choice Democrat — who’s running an ad about sitting down at the table, grabbing her family’s hands and praying,” Scholten told us Monday. “That is very real and very authentic. It’s something that people here are really missing because they feel like the Republican Party has abandoned them. They feel like Trump has abandoned them.”
Scholten flipped Michigan’s 3rd District in 2022, becoming the first Democrat to hold the seat since 1990. Scholten is also the first Democrat in 50 years from the district that includes the city of Grand Rapids.
The freshman is facing GOP candidate Paul Hudson, a Grand Rapids area lawyer, in November.
Hudson won his primary against entrepreneur Michael Markey Jr. last week. Hudson was boosted through a super PAC launched by his wealthy brother Ryan Hudson, who co-founded the company Honey.
As of now, Scholten continues to have a significant fundraising advantage. FEC reports show she has more than $2.4 million cash on hand. Hudson has a little over $300,000.
Scholten is hoping to reach a key voting bloc, which includes split ticket and independent voters who don’t always fit neatly with either political party.
Michigan will be one of the closely-watched states ahead of November with both presidential campaigns making a play for the critical swing state.
Vice President Kamala Harris held a rally in Detroit last week. GOP vice presidential nominee Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) will be speaking near Grand Rapids this week. We spoke more with Scholten on Michigan’s impact on 2024 last week.
“There’s a lot of enthusiasm about Kamala Harris right now, a lot of fear about a second Trump presidency but also a lot of undecided voters,” Scholten said. “This is going to be a battleground, for sure.”
