U.S. Navy veteran and Flint-native, Amir Hassan, launched his Republican campaign for Michigan's 8th congressional district. (Courtesy of Amir Hassan's campaign)
"The idea is to first incentivize people to go into these jobs. Those jobs are the bedrock of any successful community," Hassan said, adding, "It's a thankless job—nurses, teachers, firefighters. However, we should do our part in the government to reward them for their service."
TRUMP SUPPORTERS FIND UNLIKELY COMMON GROUND WITH BLUE STATE CONGRESSMAN AT TOWN HALL: 'I LOVE IT'
The Flint-native is challenging incumbent Democratic Gov. Kristen McDonald-Rivet next year to represent Michigan in the U.S. House of Representatives.
McDonald-Rivet was elected to Michigan's 8th District in 2024, but the congressional district has been held by Democrats for decades, and her Democratic predecessor, former Rep. Dan Kildee, retired last year after more than a decade in office.
Although the district, which includes Flint, Saginaw and Midland, has remained a Democratic stronghold in the House, Trump flipped it in the 2024 presidential election, carrying the district for Republicans.
President Donald Trump laughs while responding to a queston from a reporter after his remarks on Aug. 20, 2024, at the Livingston County Sheriff's Office in Howell, Michigan. (Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
"President Trump has increased the fair trade market, where jobs are now closing overseas and coming back to America, giving jobs back to the Michiganders here. The blue-collar jobs, the people that are ready to work are now having more opportunities because of the agenda of President Trump," Hassan said.
Last year, Trump campaigned on restoring Michigan as the capital of the automobile manufacturing industry, and the president has sought to deliver that campaign promise through his tariff strategy. Hassan said he's going to Congress to reinforce that agenda of building and believing in America.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
"The automotive industry has been the foundation of this country and the foundation of this district. But we're going to incentivize other industries to come as well. There's too much destruction in this area. We need more construction," Hassan said, telling Fox News Digital that, "We want to incentivize them to build in America and reestablish what we already know the Democratic Party has destroyed."
When reached for comment regarding Hassan's criticism, McDonald-Rivet's campaign connected Fox News Digital with former Michigan state senator, Jim Ananich, who said, "People who have actually been in mid-Michigan over the past few years know Kristen McDonald Rivet delivered the largest tax cut for working families in the state's history."
"They also know they have a Congresswoman with a proven track record of working with both parties to make life better for working families, including lowering costs, strengthening our border, and standing up against EV mandates," he added.
Deirdre Heavey is a politics writer for Fox News Digital.
Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox
Subscribed
You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter!
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/navy-vet-seeking-michigan-seat-outlines-ambitious-proposal-cut-taxes-first-responders