Incumbent Jack Bergman, representative for the First Congressional District, is being challenged by Democratic nominee Callie Barr.
Barr is an educator, lawyer, military-family advocate, mom of two young girls, and a fifth-generation northern Michigander who graduated from Cheboygan High School and the University of Michigan Law School.
We asked candidates three questions and to keep their response to 75 words or less. A typographic error incorrectly identified Barr as Carr. Here are her responses: 1.) Under a new program, about 300 members of Congress, Democrats and Republicans, were reimbursed for about $5.8 million in lodging and food costs they incurred in 2023.
What are your thoughts on the program and would you use it, if elected?
Barr: This tax-payer-funded program is ripe for abuse because it does not require receipts for reimbursement, resulting in a complete lack of transparency. This is deeply troubling. Case in point, our current Representative, Jack Bergman, was the top spender of this program, paying himself an extra $44,000 (on top of his $174,000 salary). Instead of fighting to lower costs, he’s lining his pockets with the hard earned taxes paid by struggling families. No thank you.
2.) The House of Representatives has been fraught with leadership challenges this year with the removal of the speaker and threatened removal of others. What needs to be done to right this ship?
Barr: We need to elect leaders who are willing to put country over party, who are more concerned about their constituents than their own celebrity, who want to legislate not dominate, and who are willing to do what is right, not what is easy. Getting there will mean disincentivizing the draw of partisan politics for political gain, which includes supporting efforts for bipartisanship, campaign finance reform, and an end to gerrymandering.
3.) A bipartisan immigration plan was not approved this year, with many blaming former President Trump. What do you think needs to happen to get a bipartisan plan in place to begin fixing a decades-long failing immigration policy?
Barr: For a bipartisan plan, we should encourage bipartisanship– and that means electing folks who aren’t working to divide us for political gain. Bergman’s on the bullhorn about the border, but lacks the moral courage to go from issue spotting to issue solving. And, it’s not just immigration. For instance, the Bipartisan Problem-Solver’s Caucus works to address issues facing the nation. Bergman has shown zero interest in this. Fortunately, that’s a problem we can solve. Vote.
