Six candidates are running for Michigan's First Congressional District seat in the primary election on Aug. 4. The seat is currently occupied by U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman, R-Watersmeet, who is running for a fifth term.
WCMU Public Media sent a questionnaire to all six of the candidates in this race on July 9, asking for their views on different issues impacting the region.
Matthew DenOtter is one of three Republican candidates in the race. His responses are listed below.
Methodology: The same survey was sent to all six candidates. Each response was thoroughly reviewed for grammar and accuracy. We also included links and/or editor's notes for additional information and clarity as needed.
Residents throughout the district are most concerned about affordability. What legislative ideas do you have to make life more affordable in northern Michigan?
"The cost of living has become one of the biggest challenges facing families, seniors, and small businesses across Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula. In Congress, my focus would be on putting more money back into the pockets of the people who earn it, not creating more government programs.
I support making the 2017 tax cuts permanent, reducing unnecessary federal regulations that drive up the cost of energy, housing, and everyday goods, and expanding American energy production to help lower fuel and utility costs. I also believe we need to strengthen domestic manufacturing and agriculture so we’re less dependent on foreign supply chains that contribute to higher prices.
For rural communities, I’ve proposed eliminating the federal income tax for individuals living in counties with fewer than 60,000 residents, with safeguards to ensure the benefit goes to working families and long-term residents rather than wealthy individuals relocating solely for tax purposes. Rural Americans often pay more for groceries, healthcare, transportation, and internet while earning lower wages. It’s time federal policy recognized those realities.
I’ll also fight to improve access to affordable healthcare, expand broadband infrastructure, and support workforce development so businesses can grow and create good paying jobs. Washington doesn’t need to spend more, it needs to spend smarter, reduce waste, and let the people of Northern Michigan keep more of what they earn."
Many communities have been affected by PFAS contamination, including Oscoda and Grayling. Residents there are upset after the Department of Defense recently announced that clean-up efforts would be delayed for fove more years. What actions can be done in Congress to address people's concerns about the clean-up timeline?
"The residents of Oscoda and Grayling have waited long enough. When contamination is tied to military activities, the federal government has a responsibility to clean it up promptly, not repeatedly move the deadline while PFAS continues to spread through groundwater, rivers, and wildlife.
Congress should require the Department of Defense to provide binding, site-specific cleanup schedules with measurable deadlines, annual progress reports, and a public accounting of how every cleanup dollar is being spent. I would also support dedicated funding for Wurtsmith and Camp Grayling so those projects are not forced to compete with unrelated federal priorities.
In the meantime, we should require immediate steps to contain contaminated groundwater, expand testing of private wells, provide safe drinking water and filtration systems to affected families, and fund ongoing health monitoring. Congress can also use its oversight and appropriations authority to withhold administrative funding when agencies fail to meet cleanup benchmarks without a legitimate, publicly explained reason.
The people living with this contamination should have a seat at the table throughout the process. Washington created this problem, and Washington must be held accountable for fixing it. A five-year delay cannot become another excuse for inaction."
How should the federal government involve communities when making decisions about implementing AI data centers?
"Communities should have a meaningful voice before large AI data centers are approved, not after the decisions have already been made. These projects can create jobs and investment, but they can also place enormous demands on local water supplies, power grids, roads, farmland, and emergency services.
The federal government should require transparency about a proposed facility’s energy and water use, environmental impact, tax incentives, security risks, and expected effect on local utility rates. Residents, local governments, farmers, tribes, and nearby businesses should have access to that information and an opportunity to participate through public hearings and a formal comment process.
I also support giving local communities the authority to determine whether a project is appropriate for their area. Federal funding or tax incentives should not override local zoning decisions or force a data center onto a community that does not support it.
When a project moves forward, developers should be required to help pay for the infrastructure and public services they use. Northern Michigan should benefit from new technology, but those benefits cannot come at the expense of local control, natural resources, or higher costs for families."
After two years of floods and ice storms, what do you think the federal government should do to help prepare northern counties for future disasters?
"Northern communities need help preparing before disaster strikes, not just assistance after the damage is done. The federal government should make it easier for counties, townships, and rural utilities to access funding for stronger roads, bridges, culverts, drainage systems, power infrastructure, emergency shelters, and backup communications.
I would support expanding federal grants for disaster mitigation while simplifying the application process for small communities that do not have large planning departments or full-time grant writers. Rural counties should not be placed at a disadvantage simply because they have fewer administrative resources.
We also need better coordination among FEMA, state agencies, local emergency managers, utilities, and first responders. Federal policy should support backup power for critical facilities, improved weather-alert systems, emergency fuel supplies, and stronger local response networks.
Finally, disaster aid must arrive faster and reflect the real costs faced by rural communities. Northern Michigan should not have to wait months for help or compete with larger cities for attention. Preparing now will save lives, protect property, and reduce the long-term cost to taxpayers."
Several dams across northern Michigan were at risk of failing after historic floods this spring. How should Congress address improving the district's dam infrastructure?
"Congress must treat aging dam infrastructure as a public-safety priority. Northern Michigan cannot afford to wait for a catastrophic failure before taking action.
I would support increased federal funding for dam inspections, repairs, modernization, and, when appropriate, safe removal of obsolete dams. Smaller communities often lack the tax base and technical expertise needed to manage these expensive projects, so federal programs should be easier for rural counties, townships, and local authorities to access.
Congress should also require clear risk assessments and emergency action plans for high-hazard dams, while improving coordination among federal agencies, state officials, local emergency managers, dam owners, and downstream communities. Residents deserve timely information about the condition of nearby dams and the steps being taken to protect them.
Funding should prioritize the structures that present the greatest threat to lives, homes, roads, drinking water, and local economies. Preventive repairs are far less expensive than rebuilding communities after a dam failure. By investing in resilience now, Congress can protect northern Michigan families and ensure our infrastructure is prepared for increasingly severe weather."
Last year, President Donald Trump called a national energy emergency which would accelerate the permitting for different projects regarding oil, power and gas. Line 5 was one of the first projects chosen to fast track the decision to reconstruct a tunnel. Do you back the Trump Administration's assessment in declaring this emergency and fast-tracking of the tunnel permitting process?
"Yes, I support President Trump’s decision to declare a national energy emergency and expedite the permitting process for the Line 5 tunnel. Reliable and affordable energy is essential to Northern Michigan’s families, farmers, businesses, and manufacturers, and important infrastructure projects should not be trapped in an endless federal review process.
The Great Lakes Tunnel provides a practical path forward by moving the pipeline into a protected structure beneath the Straits of Mackinac. That can strengthen energy reliability while providing greater protection for one of Michigan’s most valuable natural resources.
Fast-tracking a decision should not mean ignoring safety or environmental standards. It should mean establishing firm deadlines, eliminating unnecessary duplication, and requiring agencies to make timely decisions based on science, engineering, and the law.
Line 5 has been debated and studied for years. Northern Michigan needs certainty, not continued delay caused by political obstruction and federal bureaucracy. I support moving the tunnel project forward promptly while ensuring construction is completed safely, transparently, and with strong protections for the Great Lakes."
Housing costs are another major concern for voters. Experts say one way to help the market is to build more housing units. How can Congress make it easier for contractors to build more homes, or do you believe other solutions are necessary to alleviate the cost of housing?
"A shortage of available homes is a major reason housing costs have risen across Northern Michigan. Congress should make it easier to build by reducing unnecessary federal regulations, speeding up permitting, and expanding access to financing for contractors who are willing to build starter homes, workforce housing, and senior housing in rural communities.
Federal infrastructure programs should also help communities extend water, sewer, roads, and broadband to areas where new housing can be developed. In many northern communities, the cost of preparing land for construction makes otherwise affordable projects financially impossible.
We should encourage skilled-trades training and apprenticeships to address the shortage of electricians, plumbers, carpenters, and other workers needed to build homes. Congress can also support the rehabilitation of vacant or deteriorating properties and make it easier for local residents to purchase their first home.
However, Washington should not impose one-size-fits-all zoning mandates on rural communities. Local governments and residents should retain control over where and how development occurs. The goal should be to increase the supply of housing while protecting local character, property rights, farmland, and the natural resources that make Northern Michigan a special place to live."
What role should American foreign policy play moving forward in Iran?
"American foreign policy toward Iran should focus on protecting U.S. national security interests, supporting regional stability, and preventing threats from escalating. The United States should use a balanced approach that combines diplomacy, economic pressure, and cooperation with allies to address concerns about Iran’s nuclear program, military activities, and support for destabilizing groups.
Diplomacy should remain an important tool, with efforts aimed at reducing tensions and creating agreements that can be verified and enforced. At the same time, the United States should maintain the ability to respond to threats against American citizens, allies, and international security.
Moving forward, U.S. policy should avoid unnecessary conflict while making clear that aggression against the United States or its partners will have consequences. Congress should continue to play a role in overseeing foreign policy decisions, including the use of military force and long-term commitments. The ultimate goal should be a safer Middle East, a more stable relationship with Iran, and the protection of American interests."
