CALUMET, Mich. (WZMQ) – Weeks ahead of the August 4 primary election, 1st Congressional District hopeful Callie Barr brought her campaign to the Copper Country on Sunday evening. Inside the Calumet Theatre, Barr was joined by former district seat holder, Bart Stupak, a recent major endorsement to her campaign.
“This is someone who showed up for the district for over two decades,” said Barr. “Whether you agreed with him or not, he was here. He met with folks, and he was the gold standard for what it means to show up. I’m incredibly honored that he sees that same grit and determination in this race.”
Serving in Michigan’s 1st Congressional District from 1993 to 2011, Stupak says holding similar events allowed him to connect and understand the people he served.
“When I was in congress for 18 years, I held town halls all the time,” he said. “I think on average I held about 26 town hall meetings a year, it was the best way to stay informed.”
Alongside a number of endorsements through her campaign, Barr reported more than $442,000 raised in the latest fundraising quarter, with more than $571,000 cash on hand. These numbers haven’t been met before by a Democrat running for Michigan’s 1st Congressional District.
“This is one of the largest congressional districts in the United States,” explained Barr. “I think this goes to the strength of this campaign, the momentum we’re feeling, the contributions from individuals ready to take this seat back for us. I am not funded by corporations, this is a 100% people-powered grassroots movement.”
Barr is one of three Democrats running for Michigan’s 1st Congressional District, next to Kyle Blomquist and Wayne Stiles. Republican Incumbent Jack Bergman, Matthew DenOtter, and Justin Michal are all running on the other side of the aisle.
