Stevens faces Esshaki for 11th District 20 Election 20

Oakland County voters will see two major party candidates on their ballot under the race for the 11th Congressional District.

U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens (D-RochesterHills) is seeking re- election against Republican challenger Eric Esshaki, aBirmingham-based attorney and former nurse. Stevens did not have a Democratic primary election challenger, but Esshaki defeated his

five GOP primary opponents with 31 percent of the vote.

The Oakland Press reached out to each candidate with questions. Responses to some of those questions, as well as background information on the candidates, is detailed below.

Michigan’s 11th congressional district includes parts of Wayne and Oakland counties. Cities include: Auburn Hills, Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Clawson, Commerce Township, Farmington, Highland Township, Lake Angelus, Lyon Township, Milford Township, Northville/Northville Township, Novi/Novi Township, Rochester Hills, South Lyon, Troy, Walled Lake, Waterford, West Bloomfield, White Lake Township, and Wixom.

To view additional candidate questions and responses for this race, and to access coverage for additional federal and Oakland County election races, visit www. theoaklandpress.com/news/ elections/. The presidential general election is being held on Tuesday, Nov. 3.

• Stevens: The COVID-19 pandemic and resulting economic crisis have created challenges for the American people that will take years to fully overcome. In order to rebuild our economy, we need a national plan to contain the spread of the coronavirus through testing and contact tracing so businesses can reopen safely. I also support federal funding to aid state and local governments and ensure that our educators, first responders, and other essential workers have the resources they need to serve their communities. We also have to address enormous challenges that existed before the pandemic. Our infrastructure is outdated and crumbling, from roads and bridges to school buildings and local water systems. It’s time to rebuild our nation and create millions of goodpaying jobs by making generational investments in our infrastructure that create a measured return for taxpayers. We also need to combat the threat of climate change, and I have supported efforts to spur innovation and create jobs through a transition to a low-carbon, sustainable future. Lastly, the cost of healthcare, and prescription drugs in particular, continues to take a toll on Michigan families. I support proposals to crack down on junk insurance plans, end surprise billing, and strengthen the Affordable Care Act including protections for people with pre-existing conditions. I look at these challenges as opportunities to increaseAmerican competitiveness and revitalize our economy, and I can’t wait to get started.

• Esshaki: Clearly COVIDis a pressing concern, but I’m also concerned about the hundreds of thousands of Americans that are out of work because of the related recession. I will press to have our agencies give clear, reasonable, science-based guidance to businesses and organizations about how they can reopen the economy safely so we can put people back to work.

• Stevens: The COVID-19 pandemic created unprecedented challenges for Michigan workers, small businesses, and families. We find ourselves dealingwith yet anothereconomiccrisis inMichigan, and many workers and small business owners are still struggling through no fault of their own. The federal governmentmust provide resources for testing, contact tracing, personal protective equipment, and federal aid to state and local governments. Wemust alsomake sure economic relief ismade available to the struggling small businesses that really need help. This pandemic also exposed several key vulnerabilities for our nation, particularly with our critical supply chains. We must also ensure we are better equipped to handle the next crisis, whether it is a pandemic, naturaldisaster, or cyberattack. That’s why I introduced theResilient Supply ChainTaskForceAct, abipartisan, bicameral bill to secure and strengthen critical manufacturing supply chains and bring the production ofmedical supplies and personal protective equipment back to the United States so we are not dependent on China or any other country.

• Esshaki: Tragically COVID-19 has exacerbated the divisions in our society. Actions like wearing a mask, keeping schools open, or hosting events inside or outside, all have political overtones foisted on us by the political class. Tragically, our political leaders have used the pandemic for their crass political interests. As reported widely in the media, my opponent, has used this pandemic for crass political purposes. Within weeks of the start of the pandemic, she took to the floor of the House of Representatives wearingpinkgloves andyelling so wildly that members of her own party cut her off. It was soon discovered that my opponent planned to use the footage to raise campaign money. Her actions broke official rules and now she is under an ethics complaint investigation. In contrast, youwill never hear me yelling. Iwill be a thoughtful voice ready to solve problems andtake thechallengeofCOVID-19 seriously.

What do you see as the biggest challenges facing The UnitedStates right now and howwould you help to remedy andcombat those issues?

What unique challenges has theCOVID-19pandemic created forTheUnited States? Howwould you help to remedy and combat those challenges?