Rep. Rashida Tlaib is seeking re-election against GOP challenger James Hooper in Michigan's 12th District race

MINNEAPOLIS – In Michigan's 12th Congressional District, incumbent Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaib, one of the original members of “The troop,” hopes to fend off challenger James Hooper.

The 12th District covers a large portion of the Detroit metropolitan area, including areas such as Livonia, Westland, Dearborn Heights, Redford Charter Township and Southfield.

Tlaib won the district handily in 2022 with 70.8% of the vote.

The candidates

Tlaib is a former social worker and Michigan state representative. She was with her “Squad” colleague Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, was among the first Muslim women elected to Congress.

Tlaib, a Detroit native, began her term in the U.S. House of Representatives with called almost immediately that then-President Trump would be impeached. Ultimately, he was indicted twice during his term.

Tlaib began serving on the Financial Services Committee in 2019.

Hooper is a Wayne County executive who grew up on Detroit's east side, as his campaign website describes, and “served overseas in missions with Samaritan's Purse in Liberia.”

The core topics

On the eve of her election to the U.S. House of Representatives, Tlaib cited immigration reform their top priority.

“I went to a predominantly African-American school. I didn't even understand our immigration system. I knew my parents immigrated here. I think it's difficult growing up in a community where neighbors are directly affected. And talking about walls and others.” “I think we've dehumanized the immigration system,” Tlaib said.

Tlaib has been extremely critical of the 2024 war in Gaza. She is the only Palestinian American in Congress and the U.S. House of Representatives voted to censure her by a vote of 234 to 188, with 22 Democrats joining all but four Republicans. In an emotional speech to the House of Representatives after the vote, Tlaib said her comments about Israel were directed at the government of Israel and urged her colleagues who do not support a ceasefire to think about the plight of the Palestinians.

“I can’t believe I have to say this, but the Palestinian people are not disposable,” she said. “We are human beings, just like everyone else.”

One day after their censure, Republicans were in the Michigan Senate called on Tlaib to resign from office.

Hooper's campaign materials identified him as a “freedom-loving conservative Republican” and said he was “unapologetically PRO-LIFE from conception to natural death.” He has stood side by side with other pro-life advocates and will continue to be a strong and relentless voice for LIFE in the U.S. House of Representatives at this most critical time.”

He also said that the “2nd Constitutional Amendment is non-negotiable,” “will advocate for a rapid reduction and abolition of the Federal Ministry of Education,” and said he believes that “no one should be required to carry ‘papers’ or a vaccination passport.”