Michigan’s 7th district race was the most expensive campaign in America in 2022. In 2024, spending has been slower — but the district is rated a toss-up this cycle, and garnering nationwide interest.
Inside Elections on Friday moved the race from “Lean Democrat” to “Toss-up,” indicating it’s fair game for either Republican Tom Barrett or Democrat Curtis Hertel Jr. in the open seat currently occupied by Democratic Rep. Elissa Slotkin, who is now seeking office in the Senate.
The unexpected issue animating these tight races right now are non-disclosure agreements signed related to a land development deal with Gotion, a Chinese-owned EV company looking to open a battery plant near Big Rapids, on the west side of the state.
Locals have been vocal in their opposition to the deal, which has sparked both national security and environmental concerns, as the proposed plant would be situated in close proximity to two military bases and the Great Lakes.
Gotion’s China-based parent company, Gotion High-Tech, has strong ties with the Chinese Communist Party, including having hundreds of its members on their payroll.
The years-long controversy over Gotion’s development dreams was inflamed this week when Republican vice-presidential nominee J.D. Vance spoke at a local farm against the project, which he called “a threat to America’s national security.”
The renewed scrutiny on the deal is spelling bad news for the candidates with NDAs in their closet.
Hertel, the Democrat in the 7th District race, is not only a former Michigan House Speaker, but also an early mentor to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer — he even gave the gov her first job in politics.
When elected governor, Whitmer returned the favor by hiring Hertel as a top aide. That’s where he was working when he signed his NDA with Gotion.
Hertel has spent his career in Lansing, but is now wanting for Washington.
His opponent, former state senator Barrett, was in the legislature when his GOP colleagues backed the Gotion deal in large numbers. They also signed NDAs. But Barrett never did, and voted no at every turn.
Barrett was attacked for his unwillingness to partake in corporate welfare deals last cycle, noted his consultant, Jason Cabel Roe. But in 2024, that’s an asset they plan to use — especially when it comes to Gotion.
“These people gave taxpayer money to multinational corporations, and signed non-disclosure agreements to do it,” the GOP consultant told The Post. “Hertel was architect of the largest budget in Michigan history. Under Hertel, Michigan decided to gut education spending to fund corporate welfare.”
Barrett was attacked for his unwillingness to partake in corporate welfare deals last cycle, noted his consultant, Jason Cabel Roe. But in 2024, that’s an asset they plan to use — especially when it comes to Gotion.
Hertel’s campaign did not respond to request for comment.
Lori Brock, whose 150-acre horse farm was the site of the Vance speech, told The Post she was “mortified” to learn, about a year-and-a-half ago, how many politicians had signed NDAs on the deal.
“I was disgusted,” Brock said. “I had no idea people were that dishonest as to sign NDAs to not discuss what’s going in on our own community.”
When Democrats signed the agreements, “I don’t think they thought it would be a liability,” Roe explained. “And I would point to Elissa Slotkin.”
“What I find interesting about Slotkin is, she had zero jurisdiction to get involved,” Roe said. “She signed the NDA because she wanted credit for it.”
Slotkin was Barrett’s opponent in the 2022 race, which she won. By the time public opinion turned against the Gotion deal, it was too late to factor into that contest. But this November she’s seeking Michigan’s open U.S. Senate seat, and the impact of her involvement is yet to be seen.
Last August, Fox reported that Slotkin had signed an NDA with Gotion — twice: first in January 2022, then again with an amendment that December.