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Portrait of Kristen McDonald RivetPhoto: unitedstates.github.io

MI · Officeholder

Kristen McDonald Rivet

DU.S. Representative · MI-8

On the ballot Nov 3, 2026: U.S. House · Michigan's 8th District

Biography

Kristen McDonald Rivet is the Democratic incumbent, seeking a second term. Before Congress she worked in education and early-childhood policy, served on the Bay City Commission and represented the 35th District in the Michigan Senate. According to her official biography, her priorities include cutting taxes for working and middle-class families and lowering costs for groceries, housing, prescription drugs and child care.[1][2][3]

Kristen McDonald Rivet was born in 1970 in Portland, Michigan, per Wikipedia. According to her official biography, she was raised in a small farm town, where her father worked in construction and her mother stayed home, and she and her sisters were the first generation in the family to attend college.[2][3] She earned a bachelor's degree in history from Michigan State University in 1992 and a master's degree in education and public administration from the University of Michigan-Flint.[1]

McDonald Rivet began her career in early-childhood and education policy, including as executive director of Michigan Head Start, chief of staff of the Michigan Department of Education and vice president of The Skillman Foundation, according to her official biography.[2] She later worked as vice president of Michigan Future, Inc., president and CEO of Greater Midland, Inc., and chief strategy officer of the Michigan Health Improvement Alliance.[1]

In Bay City she held local office, first on the city's Charter Commission and then on the Bay City Commission.[1][3] Voters elected her to the Michigan Senate (District 35) in November 2022, defeating Annette Glenn (R). She served from 2023 to 2025 as assistant majority floor leader and sat on committees including Appropriations and Education and Career Readiness.[1][3]

McDonald Rivet won Michigan's 8th District in 2024 after the retirement of Rep. Dan Kildee, defeating Paul Junge (R), and took office in January 2025.[1][3] In the U.S. House she serves on the Agriculture Committee and the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and she was elected Freshman Leadership Representative to the New Democratic Coalition.[1][2] She advanced unopposed from the August 4, 2026 Democratic primary. According to her official biography, she lives in Bay City with her husband, Joseph, and has six children.[1][2]

  1. 1.Kristen McDonald Rivet · Ballotpedia · 2026-09-25 Reference
  2. 2.About · Office of Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet · 2026-10-21 Official record
  3. 3.Kristen McDonald Rivet · Wikipedia · 2026-10-21 Reference

Researched from the cited sources on 2026-10-21.

On the ballot

Full candidate research ›U.S. House · Michigan's 8th District ›

Also on the ballot for this seat

C. Mia PettusCandidateLIBU.S. House · MI-8MichiganJim CashaCandidateGU.S. House · MI-8MichiganKathy GoodwinCandidateWorking Class PartyU.S. House · MI-8MichiganThomas J. SmithCandidateRU.S. House · MI-8Michigan

Votes by issue

Their recorded votes on bills that divided the chamber (unanimous votes left out), grouped by topic. A bill can sit under more than one topic. "With" and "against" compare each vote with how most Democrats voted. How topics are assigned

Where they stood out

Voted against most of their party on 51 of 457 party-divided votes on file.

Most often on: Rights & public safety (19), Jobs & cost of living (12), Climate & energy (10)

  • Protecting Domestic Mining Act

    What it does: Protecting Domestic Mining Act of 2025 This bill provides statutory authority for federal agencies to expedite the environmental review of certain mining infrastructure projects.

    Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 7–201, Republicans 210–0

    Sep 2, 2026Official record ↗

  • Main Street Act

    What it does: Main Street Capital Access Act or the Main Street Act This bill lessens and otherwise modifies banking regulations, including those regarding institution formation, supervision by federal financial regulators, and ban…

    Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 56–154, Republicans 213–1

    Jul 21, 2026Official record ↗

  • Amendment (Boebert) to H.R. 8800 — National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027

    A yes vote supported an H.R. 8800 amendment that strikes section 518, a pilot program using voice-based risk assessment technology to identify servicemembers for drug testing. (AI-written)

    What it does: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027 This bill sets forth policies and authorities for FY2027 for Department of Defense (DOD) programs, activities, and military construction as well as the national…

    Voted no · most Democrats voted yes · Democrats 175–37, Republicans 90–123

    Jul 21, 2026Official record ↗

  • Amendment (Massie) to H.R. 8595 — Making appropriations for national security, Department of State, and related programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2027, and for other purposes.

    A yes vote supported an H.R. 8595 amendment that bars funds in the bill from being used for Israel and cuts the Foreign Military Financing account by $3.3 billion. (AI-written)

    What it does: National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2027 This bill provides FY2027 appropriations for national security, the Department of State, and related programs.

    Voted no · most Democrats voted yes · Democrats 103–98, Republicans 1–215

    Jul 15, 2026Official record ↗

  • Sharri Briley and Eric Edmundson Veterans Benefits Expansion Act

    What it does: Sharri Briley and Eric Edmundson Veterans Benefits Expansion Act of 2026 This bill expands specified benefits programs for veterans and their survivors and establishes a supplemental monthly allowance for certain disa…

    Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 30–176, Republicans 204–3

    May 21, 2026Official record ↗

How this is counted

Their votes on the most contested roll calls

The votes in their chamber that came out closest and most divided by party, among those they voted on. How we rank

See all their split votes

Substantive votes concern legislation or nominations; procedural votes concern how the chamber considers them. A Yes vote applies to the motion shown, which may not be final passage.

S. 2403 · U.S. HOUSE

Retire through Ownership Act

YesVOTED

Motion: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass

A yes vote suspended the House rules and passed S. 2403, the Retire through Ownership Act, under a fast-track procedure that requires a two-thirds majority. (AI-written)

Retire through Ownership Act This bill allows the fiduciary of an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) to rely on a valuation provided by an independent valuation expert or business appraiser in determining the fair market value of the plan's securities if the securities are not traded on a national securities exchange (i.

Official summary — read the bill text ↗
Passed 401–14·Substantive·Sep 16, 2026Roll call ↗
H.R. 9497 · U.S. HOUSE

Water Resources Development Act

YesVOTED

Motion: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended

A yes vote suspended the House rules and passed H.R. 9497, the Water Resources Development Act, as amended, under a fast-track procedure that requires a two-thirds majority. (AI-written)

Water Resources Development Act of 2026 This bill authorizes and modifies certain water resource infrastructure projects and programs of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and makes related requirements.

Official summary — read the bill text ↗
Passed 415–9·Substantive·Sep 16, 2026Roll call ↗
H.R. 9340 · U.S. HOUSE

Ratepayer Protection Act

YesVOTED

Motion: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended

A yes vote suspended the House rules and passed H.R. 9340, the Ratepayer Protection Act, as amended, under a fast-track procedure that requires a two-thirds majority. (AI-written)

Ratepayer Protection Act The bill requires state utility regulators and nonregulated utilities to consider implementing a standard to hold certain large-load customers responsible for the costs associated with any generation, transmission, or distribution upgrade of electric service necessary to serve such customers.

Official summary — read the bill text ↗
Passed 417–3·Substantive·Sep 16, 2026Roll call ↗
H.J.Res. 213 · U.S. HOUSE

Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule issued by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to the “California State Nonroad Engine Pollution Control Standards; Commercial Harbor Craft Regulations; Notice of Decision”

NoVOTED

Motion: On Passage

This joint resolution revokes the partial authorization granted to the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to amend its Commercial Harbor Craft regulation.

Official summary — read the bill text ↗
Passed 214–208·Substantive·Sep 16, 2026Roll call ↗
H.R. 10326 · U.S. HOUSE

PROOF Act

NoVOTED

Motion: On Passage

Preventing Rip-offs and Obtaining Oversight of Funds Act or the PROOF Act This bill requires states to provide such information as the Department of Justice (DOJ) may require for the purpose of investigating or prosecuting alleged fraud committed with regard to certain federally funded programs.

Official summary — read the bill text ↗
Passed 217–207·Substantive·Sep 16, 2026Roll call ↗
H.R. 9576 · U.S. HOUSE

National Fraud Enforcement Division Act

YesVOTED

Motion: On Passage

National Fraud Enforcement Division Act of 2026 This bill provides statutory authority for the National Fraud Enforcement Division within the Department of Justice (DOJ). The division investigates and prosecutes fraud against taxpayer dollars and taxpayer-funded programs.

Official summary — read the bill text ↗
Passed 352–72·Substantive·Sep 16, 2026Roll call ↗
H.R. 5334 · U.S. HOUSE

An Act to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow early childhood educators to take the educator expense deduction, and for other purposes

NoVOTED

Motion: On Motion to Concur in the Senate Amendments

A yes vote agreed to the Senate's amendments to H.R. 5334, which add Russia sanctions, higher duties and an Iran Sanctions Act extension to the early-childhood educator deduction, sending the bill to the president. (AI-written)

Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 This bill imposes a variety of sanctions, tariffs, and prohibitions related to Russia, extends an Iran-related sanctions law, and expands a tax deduction for teacher expenses to include early childhood educators.

Latest official summary of the bill (as amended) — read the bill text ↗
Passed 262–159·Substantive·Sep 16, 2026Roll call ↗
H.Con.Res. 93 · U.S. HOUSE

Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran

YesVOTED

Motion: On Agreeing to the Resolution

This concurrent resolution directs the President to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities against Iran unless explicitly authorized by a declaration of war or a congressional authorization for use of military force against Iran.

Official summary — read the bill text ↗
Passed 220–204·Substantive·Sep 15, 2026Roll call ↗
H.J.Res. 210 · U.S. HOUSE

Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to “California State Nonroad Engine Pollution Control Standards; Ocean-Going Vessels At-Berth; Notice of Decision”

NoVOTED

Motion: On Passage

This joint resolution revokes the authorization granted to the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to amend its Ocean-Going Vessels At-Berth Regulation.

Official summary — read the bill text ↗
Passed 216–211·Substantive·Sep 15, 2026Roll call ↗
H.R. 9500 · U.S. HOUSE

Tax Relief for Fraud Victims Act

YesVOTED

Motion: On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended

A yes vote suspended the House rules and passed H.R. 9500, the Tax Relief for Fraud Victims Act, as amended, under a fast-track procedure that requires a two-thirds majority. (AI-written)

Tax Relief for Fraud Victims Act This bill expands the federal tax deduction for personal casualty and theft losses by eliminating certain limits, including the requirement that such losses arise from certain disasters.

Official summary — read the bill text ↗
Passed 408–17·Substantive·Sep 15, 2026Roll call ↗

Showing 10 of 634 votes in this collection. Coverage may be incomplete; each entry links to the official record.