(Source: MIRS.news, Published 12/11/2023) The Genesee County/Tri-Cities-based 8th Congressional District is a "prime pickup opportunity" for Republicans based on polling conducted by Co/efficient that shows President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump tied 44 to 44 percent in the seat.
A Republican presidential candidate has not won this area of the state in recent history, but a generic ballot test conducted for the Congressional Leadership Fund, a Super PAC created to help House Republicans, shows a general Republican statistically tied with a general Democrat (45 percent to 46 percent) for the seat.
The Republican is leading the Democrat among independents by 8 percentage points.
A named Republican candidate leads potential Democratic rivals 43 to 40 percent.
Biden's approval rating in the district is underwater (41 percent approval, 52 percent disapproval) while 60 percent of independent voters disapprove of the President's job performance.
The survey of 906 likely general election voters was taken Dec. 4-5. The poll has a margin of error of +/- 3.25%. According to the Pollster Ratings page on FiveThirtyEight, Co/efficient has a 2.5% Republican lean and a B+ grade.
Democrats have Pamela PUGH as a candidate in this race, although rumors have Sen. Kristen Mcdonald Rivet (D-Bay City) looking at running in this seat next year. Republicans have Paul Junge and Martin Blank, but Rep. Bill G. Schuette (R-Midland) and former Speaker Tom Leonard are also potential candidates.
