In the race for United States Representative in Michigan's 2nd congressional district, United States Representative Bill Huizenga (R) and Challenger Dr. Rob Davidson (D) squared off Monday evening at a public debate in Newaygo. The first debate of two scheduled this month proved to be mostly a civil one, as the two candidates answered questions written by residents of the 2nd District that addressed such topics as sexual abuse, gun legislation, the environment and health care.
Congressman Huizenga has represented the 2nd District in the United States House since 2011, and says his voting track record in Washington has earned him another term.
“I think that the work that we have put forward on behalf of West Michigan and frankly on behalf of the nation has really seen some results,” Huizenga said. I am going to continue to fight for West Michigan.”
Dr. Rob Davidson is an emergency room doctor and decided to run for Congress after attending a Town Hall hosted by Huizenga last year. Davidson says he left that town hall feeling unsatisfied with Huizenga’s agenda, specifically when it came to health care.
“I have been an emergency room physician for almost 20 years of my life and I have seen up-close and in person how our health care system in this country is truly broken,” Davidson. “People can’t afford health care, and I think first and foremost they can count on me to be fighting for them in that respect.”
In order to win in November, Dr. Davidson will have his work cut out for him. The 2nd District hasn’t elected a Democrat as their Representative since Weston Vivian in 1965.