ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – Following a win in the Democratic primary, U.S. House of Representatives candidate Callie Barr is set to face Republican incumbent Jack Bergman at the polls in November.
On Thursday, both Bergman and Barr attended the U.P. Veteran of the Year ceremony at the U.P. State Fair.
“It’s an acknowledgement of all the veterans, all their families, all their caregivers, all the people who work within the Veterans Administration here, especially out of Iron Mountain,” Bergman said. “It’s just a great day to celebrate the quality of service and the commitment to service that our veterans and their families commit to our country.”
“I’m so excited to be here,” said Barr. “It’s something that’s always close to my heart. My husband served for over 15 years. I was a military spouse that whole time, so it’s always really special to be here on this day. I’m happy to be with veterans and their families who support them.”
Before the ceremony began, the candidates discussed their platforms with WZMQ 19 News. According to Bergman, one of his top priorities is bringing jobs to the Upper Peninsula.
“My dad left the U.P. in 1926,” he said. “There was no work for 18-year-olds 100 years ago, so he and many others were forced to leave. We still have the issue today here in the U.P. where we need more quality jobs that men and women—whether they be married or single or whatever—can earn that wage that they’re proud of, develop the skills, and enjoy the beauty of the U.P.”
Barr says one of her main focuses is financial security for those staying in Northern Michigan as they age.
“So many of us rely on Social Security,” she said. “That is the only source of income. We need an act of Congress to keep Social Security solvent. I am hot on that issue because we need to make sure that we can afford the basic dignity of being able to afford life here.”
If elected, Barr says she will address critical healthcare needs.
“Jack Bergman, our current incumbent, voted to cut funding for our rural hospitals,” she said. “That has really, really hurt us. We are one of the oldest Congressional districts in the United States, and so for our seniors, we need increased care as we get older. We’ve lost three labor and deliveries in the past year and a half. Families here want to have babies in a hospital. You’ve got to have access. Right now, we have women in the U.P. that have to go into Wisconsin.”
If reelected, Bergman says he will pursue solutions to issues facing rural communities.
“We’re not Detroit,” he said. “We’re not Grand Rapids… If you look at the big city of Escanaba, or the big city of Marquette, or the big city of Houghton, we are small. We are, in some cases, remote. Many of us still have a deer camp, even though the wolves have not done us any favors. We need to make sure that we control and minimize and eliminate the wolf predation of the deer population. Those are the kinds of things we think about.”
Both candidates remind citizens of the power of their votes—Bergman while standing on his record, and Barr while calling for change.
“When they cast a vote for me, they’re getting a person who cares about the U.P., who cares about the 1st District of Michigan, who’s done the job and is continuing to do the job,” said Bergman. “With me, they’ve got a fighter, they’ve got someone who doesn’t quit, and they’ve got someone who’s experienced.”
“A lot of folks feel like, ‘Look, enough’s enough,'” Barr said. “I’ve traveled all over this district holding public town halls and talking with folks about what they want, and that’s what this is. It’s not a seat for Republicans or Democrats; it’s a seat for us. I’ve been so encouraged and excited meeting with people around the district to deliver that.”
WZMQ 19 will continue to follow this and other races appearing on the November ballot.
