John,

I have important news to share with you. Despite the speculation, I will not be running for Senate here in Michigan in 2026. I’m so proud of what we’re building here in West Michigan. This was a tough decision because I know what we’re building is not just what our community needs but what America needs–thoughtful, principled leadership that puts theatrics and partisanship aside and gets stuff done. But this is the right choice, and here’s why. I hope you’ll read through to the end.

Over the past few weeks, we’ve all experienced truly unprecedented attacks on our democratic institutions, critical social infrastructure, and one constitutional crisis after another. Many of you have expressed your concerns to your elected representatives and pushed those of us in these positions to step up. I couldn’t be more inspired by the thousands of you who are holding your representatives to account. We need leaders who have been put in a position to lead, to lead. And that’s what I’m doing every day–helping constituents resolve crises with a federal agency, introducing critical legislation to hold the administration accountable, and strategizing with my colleagues to continue to stand up for our country.

Far too often, politics can become about always looking for the next best thing in your career. But for me, it’s about looking for the next best thing for our community and our country. Service is at the heart of why I do this work, and it’s what’s driving this decision, too.

The state of Michigan is also experiencing a turning point. Trump won this swing state by a mere 80,000 votes, and we held last year’s Senate seat by only 18,000 votes. Now, in 2026, with FOUR open statewide seats, Michigan will once again be a critical and highly contested battleground.

I choose to join Democrats in that battle by staying to defend this district. West Michigan was once a Republican stronghold, but we beat over 50 years of precedent to hold this seat and send a pro-choice woman back to Congress.

My work here is not over. Together, we’ve fought to protect reproductive access, defend Social Security and Medicare, protect our Great Lakes, and fight for an economy we can all thrive in. Michigan’s 3rd District has been and will continue to be key in that progress. We can’t take it for granted.

The next few years will require leaders in Congress who refuse to bow down to the Trump administration’s reckless agenda and be bought out by billionaires. With House Republicans holding a narrow majority in Congress, we have to hold steady, defend this seat, and fight for a majority that will stand up for all of us. I’m staying here, and I hope you’ll stand with me: