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November 22nd , 2023 Political Note #601 Curtis Hertel Jr Michigan 07
2024 General Election
Former State Senator Curis Herfel Jr. is running for the Congressional seat held by Elissa Slotkin, the probable Democratic candidate for the US Senate. He has no primary opposition from fellow Democrats. Former State Senator Tom Barrett has no primary opposition from fellow Republicans, Daily Kos ranks this seat as the Democratic seat most likely to flip. Curtis Hertel Jr. comes from a family of politician and does not intend to let the seat flip.
Begin with a teacher. The Hertel family story is an old blue-collar tale. Before they were politicians, the patriarch was a teacher. Another teacher was an inspiration. So was a principal. I will try to keep these people straight for you.
If everything went smoothly, Jack Hertel Jr. would have become a teacher earlier in his life. Events interfered with his going to college. In 1938, his mom died. He was 18 and he went to work. Jack Jr. married Marie Kaufmann of the Kaufmann’s Café Kaufmanns. He was going to work at the Cafe. Jack was drafted. Instead of landing in college, he landed in Normandy and survived the war. He returned home to take over the Café. As the Café’s baker, among other responsibilities, he recalled putting in 60-hour weeks. He recalled Marie putting in 60-hour weeks. He also recalled working with kids as much as he could. He lent a hand to the American Field Service, to the PTA, to the Boy Scouts.
At 48, he decided he decided he could finally be a teacher. He enrolled at Wayne State and graduated magna in six years. He spent the rest of his career teaching at Clark Elementary School in Detroit.
Jack Hertel Jr. had three sons. John, the oldest, went to Michigan State in East Lansing – some distance from Detroit. In the way that his father had wanted to become a teacher, John wanted to become a farmer. He majored in agriculture, but he would not make a profession of it. He had gotten involved in campus politics, was elected to student government, got to know James Blanchard who was also involved in student government and would eventually be elected Michigan’s governor. He recalled a middle school experience. HIs teacher set up a mock Kennedy-Nixon debate. John played John F. Kennedy and never forgot the experience. Nor did he forget his high school principal who appointed John as student council president. In that role, John got a whiff of politics.
John left Michigan State for Detroit’s Wayne State. He was going to be a politician at home in Detroit. Twenty-eight years old, he was elected a State Senator and served from 1974 to 1982. After that he ran the Michigan State Fair. He chaired several authorities and, at different times, of course, two county boards of commissioners. When John retired, he became a kind of farmer. He raised Percheron horses. He had been an example to two younger brothers who would also try politics.
Middle brother Dennis left for Ypsilanti for Eastern Michigan University. He came home to Detroit to get his JD from Wayne State. In 1975, he was admitted to the bar and began practicing law. He had already begun his political career, getting himself elected to the State House of Representatives. He was elected to congress in 1980 and served until 1993. He did not run in 1992 because his district was gerrymandered, split into four separate parts. He had seen himself as representing working-class Americans. He was a supporter of labor and labor unions, of protecting the environment, and would have reformed health care if he could. He supported funding for education and scientific research and was a member of a Reformers caucus that intended to reduce the reliance of money in politics. After 1992, Dennis Hertel practiced law in Michigan and then returned to Washington to join a lobbying firm. Even as a lobbyist, he remained active in efforts to reduce reliance on campaign money.
Curtis was the youngest of the Jack Jr’s three sons. Curtis stayed in Michigan. As best he could, he stayed in and around Detroit. He went to Wayne State, but got no additional degrees. At the age of 27, he was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives where he was eventually elected as Speaker. When the legislature had an equal number of Republicans and Democrats, he was co-Speaker. (Governor Whitmer got her start in politics as an intern with the co-Speakers) Not unlike Dennis, he viewed his role as supporting blue collar constituents. He worked on labor issues, on environmental issues. He ensured financial support for education. He was a central figure in creating what is now known as Children Trust Michigan – a statewide organization focused on supporting education programs and ensuring funding and resources that prevent child abuse and neglect. Five years after he left elected office, he was appointed to the Michigan Public Service Commission, serving in that role from 2003 to 2007. During his last few years as Commissioner, he was appointed by Governor Jennifer Granholm (now the US Secretary of Transportation) to serve as Michigan’s Department of Community Health’s liaison to the state legislature.
Of the three brothers, only Curtis Sr’s two sons continue the Hertel legacy in politics.
Kevin, Curtis Sr’s younger son went to Michigan State. While there, he was part of a student effort to achieve greater funding for the University. He also served as an intern to one of the state senators. After completing his degree, Kevin worked for Blue Cross Blue Shield as a legislative analyst and as a special assistant to the President. He was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives at the relatively elderly age of 32. Five years later, in 2022, he was elected to the State Senate.
Curtis Hertel Jr is the son running for Michigan’s 7th Congressional District. He graduated from Michigan State in 2000. The year he graduated, at 22 years old, he was elected County Commissioner, representing the northern part of East Lansing plus the township of Meridian. Lansing is the capital of the state of Michigan and East Lansing is the home of Michigan State University?
Curtis Hertel Jr. stayed local. In 2008, he was elected Register of Deeds and reelected in 2012. While he stayed local, he thought big. He sued Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to collect property transfer fees from these national mortgage firms. He could stay local even while running for the State Senate, which he did successfully in 2014. Among the cities and towns he represented were Lansing and East Lansing. Like his brothers, he was interested in education and in labor issues. He sought tax credits for graduates of Michigan colleges who remained in-state. He was part of the effort to ensure that factories associated with the construction of electric vehicles were placed in Michigan. He increased the First Responder Fund to cover diseases contracted from chemical fires. He was skillful in delivering what was needed, in reconciling the variety of interests around the legislative table. He had to be. For the entire eight years, his party was in the minority. He was, however, termed out after being reelected in 2018.
In January 2023, he went to work for another Michigan governor – this time as Gretchen Whitmer’s Director of Legislative Affairs. At the end of June, after the budget was negotiated and adopted, he resigned, The press speculated that he would run for Slotkin’s seat in congress. Later in July, he did exactly that. This had been a kind of dominos game. Senator Stabenow announced her retirement. Elissa Slotkin announced her candidacy for the US Senate. And Curtis Hertel Jr announced for Michigan’s 7th Congressional District. Had the dominos not fallen, he might have remained as Director of Legislative Affairs, a job that hardly ever required him to be more than fifteen minutes away from home.
Curtis Hertel Jr. does not outline a platform of issues he is running on. Instead, he tells those who read his website what he worked on in the Michigan Legislature and as the Governor’s Liaison: “bipartisan legislation that cut taxes for seniors and working families, expanded workers’ rights, and … additional new investments in advanced manufacturing that will bring good-paying jobs to Mid-Michigan and across the state. He was also instrumental in passing legislation that repealed the archaic 1931 law that banned abortion in Michigan, even in cases of rape and incest.” Curtis Hertel Jr is a skilled legislative mechanic on behalf of the Democratic vision that has made Joe Biden a successful president.
Curtis Hertel Jr.’s Republican opponent may have a resume that seems similar – service in the Michigan House of Representatives from 2015 to 2019, then in the State Senate. Tom Barrett is not similar. He shares the dystopian vision of the United States of the extreme right wing.
Tom Barrett sees an America dominated by violent crime and requiring repressive police. Tom Barrett sees an America threatened by its national debt, a debt caused by excessive spending rather than extraordinary tax reductions. Tom Barrett sees an America beset by outside enemies like China and Iran. Any effort to create a peaceful accommodation is, in his view, a capitulation. Tom Barrett sees an America overrun by hordes crossing our Southern border – bringing Fentanyl to kill us. He sees no obligation to respond to people escaping from circumstances where their lives are in danger. Tom Barrett sees the world upended by women seeking abortion. He sees a world made safer by hardening schools against access by possible shooters, by police getting information about individuals who are potential shooting risks. He does not see a need for limits to access to guns.
Tom Barrett lost to Elissa Slotkin in 2022. He explains the loss as a product of weakness at the top of the ticket and insufficient fund raising. He is expecting to run with Donald Trump at the top of the ticket and says he will be more effecting raising money this time around. As of October 1, Curtis Hertel had $600,000 available for campaigning; Tom Barrett had less than $400,000. They will both need a lot more money for this campaign. Curtis Hertel Jr’s approach to America will make us a safer and freer and more prosperous country. Help Curtis Hertel Jr. keep this vulnerable seat Democratic.
Other Midwestern Congressional Contests
Michigan 10 #3 on Len’s list of vulnerable Republican seats and #13 on Daily Kos’s List. Former local judge Carl Marlinga or University Board Member Anil Kumar have been described as incumbent John James’ most likely opponent from among a large field of contenders for the Democratic nomination. Republican Incumbent John James had $2.1 Million on October 1. Anil Kumar had $550,000; Carl Marlinga had $150,000.
Iowa 03 #5 on Len’s list of vulnerable Republican seats and tied for #7 on Daily Kos’s list. US Agriculture Department Undersecretary whose family escaped Communist Vietnam Lanon Baccam is the most serious Democratic candidate against Incumbent Zach Nunn. On October 1, Zach Nunn had $1.4 Million. Lanon Baccam was not yet a candidate. Help Lanon Baccam catch up in the financial race.
Nebraska 02 #11 on Len’s list of vulnerable Republican seats and #12 on Daily Kos’s List. State Senator Tony Vargas is the Democratic opponent to Incumbent Don Bacon. Bacon has been a leader of Republican moderates. Had the moderates been effective in Congress, Bacon would be much less vulnerable. On October 1, Incumbent Republican Don Bacon had $1 Million. Tony Vargas had $750,000. Both will need considerably more to compete in this race. Help Tony Vargas succeed. Len’s Political Note #587.
Illinois 17 Inc Eric Sorensen is #12 on Len’s list of vulnerable Democrats and tied for #16 on Daily Kos’s List, Eric Sorensen, a former television weatherman, has two possible Republican opponents. Eric Sorensen had $1.1 Million on October 1. His opponents had little or nothing. Len’s Political Note #552.
Indiana 01 Inc Frank Mrvan is #18 on Len’s list of vulnerable Democrats. On October 1 Frank Mrvan had $600,000. His apparent opponent Trucking Company Owner Randall Niemeyer had not yet begun to raise money. Help Frank Mrvan raise enough money to discourage his probable opponent. Len’s Political Note #576
Wisconsin 03 has three candidates who would like to unseat extreme right first year incumbent Derrick Van Orden who is #18 on Len’s List of vulnerable Republicans. The Democrats are Businesswoman Rebecca Cooke, former County Board Chair Tara Johnson, and State Rep Katrina Shankland. Van Orden had $1.4 million on October 1. Rebecca Cooke had $300,000, Tara Johnson had $100,000, and Katrina Shankland had not yet entered the race. We will have a better idea about money on January 1.
Iowa 02 is #22 on Len’s List of vulnerable Republicans. Law professor, former State Rep, and previous candidate Christina Bohannan has a reasonably good chance to defeat Incumbent Republican Marianette Miller-Meeks. Miller-Meeks had $1.4 Million for her campaign on October 1. Christina Bohannan has a respectable $600,000 for a challenger. It would be great if you could help her catch up.
Ohio 13 Inc Emilia Sykes is #24 on Len’s list of vulnerable Democrats and #15 on Daily Kos’s List. On October 1, she had $750,000 available for her campaign. The probable Republican nominee City Councilman Chris Banweg had $100,000. Neither candidate has enough to run a successful campaign. Help Emilia Sykes raise the funds she needs. Len’s Political Note #590
Ohio 01 Inc Greg Landsman is # 26 on Len’s list of vulnerable Democrats and #21 on Daily Kos’s List. On October 1, he had $1 Million available for his campaign. The only Republican in the race, Orlando Sonza, had less than $100,000. Greg Landsman, nevertheless, needs additional resources to keep the pressure on. Len’s Political Note #598
Minnesota 02 Inc Angie Craig is # 27 on Len’s List of vulnerable Democrats and #13 on Daily Kos’s List. On October 1, she had $1.5 Million available for the campaign. None of her opponents had resources to speak of. Angie Craig needs resources to discourage. Potential opponents. Len’s Political Note #592
Midwestern Senate Contests
Ohio Incumbent Sherrod Brown despite being considered by some as the most vulnerable Democratic incumbent now that Joe Manchin is not running. He has three possible opponents. An early November poll found Sherrod Brown tied with or narrowly ahead of his several possible opponents. The October 1 reports showed Sherrod Brown $4.5 Million more than the closest opponent financially. He needs every bit of support you can provide. See Len’s Political Note #556
Michigan Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin is the favorite to win the nomination. The Republican favorite is former Congressman Mike Rogers. Polls reported in August showed Elissa Slotkin up by 5 points. She had $5.1 Million in hand on October 1; Rogers had $800,000. See Len’s Political Note #589
Wisconsin. Incumbent Tammy Baldwin has no serious opponent so far. A poll conducted in May found her only one point ahead of a Congressman who will not run for the Senate. She had $6.8 Million on October 1. See Len’s Political Note #570.
Indiana Psychologist Valerie Lin McCray is one of several Democrats who have expressed interest in this race and the only one for whom there is a poll. In that October poll, Republican Congressman Jim Banks, the only Republican so far with enough signatures to run for this open seat, led Valerie Lin McCray by 9 points – not a lot for an established politician against an unknown. She reported no funds raised for the October 1 reports; Jim Banks reported the relatively small amount of $2.7 Million. Don’t get your hopes up. Let’s see if she has raised some money by January 1.
