MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ) – Republican U.S. Representative Jack Bergman is up for reelection this year. An Upper Peninsula sheriff has given his endorsement to a Democratic challenger.
Marquette County Sheriff Greg Zyburt is supporting Callie Barr in the race for Michigan’s 1st Congressional District. In a virtual press conference on Thursday, Zyburt referred to the sitting representative as “AWOL,” saying Northern Michigan needs someone who is more involved and engaged with their constituents.
“It’s accountability,” Zyburt said. “It’s responding to the people that are asking the questions in the town hall meetings that we aren’t having. Coming into town except for the big events… Coming here to find out, instead of being in Washington or wherever he wants to call home. It’s about being in touch with your constituents… Your local representative should represent you.”
“This seat is not a seat for Republicans or Democrats; it’s a seat for the people of Upper and Northern Michigan,” said Barr. “I think we’ve forgotten, in many ways, that’s why we have representatives for certain areas of certain states, because they have unique needs. What we need to be doing is having people who are in touch with their local communities. When we do that, hopefully we make decisions that are in line with what they need.”
Zyburt says local police agencies have become strained, especially when it comes to mental health. In Marquette County, he says there is a severe lack of psychiatrists and beds for those in need of mental healthcare.
“When we have someone that we need to bring down to the forensic center—and this is someone who hasn’t been convicted because they’re mentally ill and we’re trying to get them help—they’re being held in our jails, and it’s just ridiculous,” Zyburt said. “Not much has changed, and we need to do something.”
Zyburt and Barr agree that federal funding cuts have restricted the availability of certain resources for rural communities. Barr commented on how Medicaid cuts in particular are currently impacting Northern Michigan residents.
“Medicaid funds our rural hospitals,” she said. “When you have the incumbent representative vote to decrease our hospital funding like that, it has an absolute impact on what we’re able to do as far as, you know, just taking care of people. We’ve had three labor and deliveries close within the past year and a half in this district… I think about now women that are potentially going to have to drive to Wisconsin to deliver a baby. We think about all these hats that we’re having folks wear because we’re just not giving them access to funds. We’re not taking care locally of what we need. In rural areas, that could be telehealth access, reciprocity for mental health providers. Again, it’s making sure that we have healthcare resources and mental healthcare resources, too.”
President Donald Trump posted his endorsement of Bergman on Truth Social last fall. Barr says a representative’s job is to “show up” for their constituents, regardless of any endorsements.
