Republican House nominee Terri DeBoer, a former television meteorologist, has set her sights on unseating incumbent Democrat Hillary Scholten in Michigan's 3rd Congressional District, asserting that voters are seeking a return to "common sense West Michigan values." DeBoer, who recently won the GOP primary, told Fox News Digital that a consistent message she hears from constituents is a desire for change.
"People are ready to be represented by someone who shares the same common sense West Michigan values as they do, and I'm the best candidate to fill the bill," DeBoer stated. She aims to reclaim a district that was held by Republicans for decades before Scholten won it in 2022.
DeBoer also criticized the direction of the Democratic Party, suggesting it has aligned with candidates who undermine American strengths. She believes that voters, when fully aware of the stakes, will choose her candidacy to protect American freedoms.
A central point of DeBoer's campaign is the perceived disconnect between Scholten's public image as a moderate and her voting record in Congress. DeBoer specifically pointed to Scholten's vote against the SAVE America Act and her support for transgender athletes in girls' sports as examples of this divergence. U.S. House voting records indicate Scholten voted against a bill in January 2025 that would prohibit transgender women and girls from competing in female school sports.
DeBoer, who describes herself as an outsider in the race, argues that her own positions are more aligned with the district's voters. She has prioritized affordability, citing rising costs for groceries, energy, housing, and healthcare as primary concerns.
Her campaign platform also includes securing the border, expanding healthcare choices, supporting reliable energy sources, and reducing regulations on small businesses. DeBoer proposes addressing affordability by cutting federal spending cuts and eliminating government waste, fraud, and abuse.
Scholten's campaign was contacted for comment regarding DeBoer's claims.