Former Navy SEAL, Nuclear Code-Carrier Enters Primary To Challenge Barrett In CD-7

(Source: MIRS.news, Published 07/01/2025) Matt Maasdam, a former Navy SEAL with a Brighton post office box listed on his website, is entering the 2026 Democratic primary to challenge U.S. Rep. Tom Barrett (R-Charlotte) in one of Michigan's most competitive Congressional races.

Last month, MIRS reported that Maasdam was personally residing outside the district in Ann Arbor.

"After college here in Michigan, I joined the United States Navy. Became a Navy SEAL, serving my country, under presidents of both parties in Iraq and Afghanistan," Maasdam said in an ad dropped on Tuesday. "I worked my way up to the White House, where I carried the nuclear codes for President (Barack Obama)."

Michigan's 7th Congressional district includes the greater Lansing area and Livingston County.

In 2024, Barrett flipped the district from blue to red by 16,763 votes, replacing now-U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Holly) after she left the seat to run for the U.S. Senate.

According to Punchbowl News, the daily Washington, D.C. newsletter service, Maasdam is being advised by former Slotkin campaign aide Emma Grundhauser.

Although Maasdam grew up in Nebraska, attending the University of Michigan for his bachelor's degree, he informed The Detroit News that he moved back to Michigan in 2019.

Maasdam joined the U.S. Navy in July 1998, and served as a military aide to Obama for nearly three years. It's likely that Maasdam's military background will be used to match up with Barrett's in political conversations, as Barrett was a squad leader and convoy commander in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Also in the race following a June campaign launch is Bridget Brink, a past U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine who resigned from her post in April, protesting President Donald Trump's direction of giving more deference to Russia after it invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

Also considering a run for the 7th Congressional district is Josh Cowen, an education policy professor at Michigan State University. Additionally, multiple local Democrats are hoping state Senate Appropriations Chair Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing) will reconsider diving into the race, after she shut down requests to run ahead of the 2024 election cycle.

Tuesday’s campaign kickoff from Maasdam demonstrates a sophisticated, financially equipped operation that was prepared to go and to engage with the media. Ahead of Maasdam's candidacy announcement, the subject of consultant culture was discussed on this week's episode of the MIRS Monday Podcast, especially as folks with D.C. backgrounds dive into what are now routinely Michigan's most expensive areas to compete in.

"We've always been a purple state, but it really wasn't until we had non-partisan redistricting that we could express how purple we are at the ballot box," said guest pundit Jen Eyer, an Ann Arbor city council member and communications professional. "The downside is we are being inundated with consultants who see big bucks to be made here, and I think what you're seeing is a really professionalized, permanent partisan infrastructure that's being built up."

Eyer was not speaking about the 7th Congressional district specifically, but about the overall concept of consultant culture. She anticipates more national consultants coming to Michigan as the 2026 election cycle unfolds, because of the money there is to be made.

"We have really fantastic races, and we have for a long time that come down to just a razor's edge in so many different ways," said Lansing-based Andrea Bitely, the public affairs professional who previously worked for Republican Attorney General Bill Schuette.

She said the professionalizing of political consultants is what it is, and being very divided nationally is pushed by consultants and digital strategies "because it makes us money, frankly."

"But I think being able to be a state where people cut their teeth in learning politics … it's a huge advantage," Bitely said.