Democrat Jeremy Moss is projected to win Michigan's 11th Congressional District, according to Decision Desk HQ, positioning him to succeed Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Mich.) and make history as the state's first openly LGBTQ member of Congress.
With 19 percent of ballots counted around 8:15 p.m. EST, Moss held a commanding 73 percent lead over Republican Ethan Baker, who ran unopposed in the GOP primary. The race was never in doubt, as DDHQ had rated Moss as the likely winner as early as August, and the Cook Political Report similarly projected the district would remain solidly blue.
The 11th District has been a Democratic stronghold, having favored Stevens by roughly 20 points in the last two election cycles. Stevens opted to run for the Senate rather than seek reelection, a move that ultimately ended in a primary loss to progressive Abdul El-Sayed.
Moss, a veteran of Michigan politics, has served in the state legislature since 2015, becoming the state's first openly gay state senator. He has also held the role of president pro tempore of the state Senate since 2023. His victory not only secures the seat for Democrats but also marks a significant milestone for LGBTQ representation in Congress.
Governor Gretchen Whitmer (D) endorsed Moss as her pick to succeed Stevens, adding weight to his campaign. Meanwhile, Stevens's endorsement of Republican Mike Rogers over El-Sayed has stirred controversy, with some Democrats, including Rep. Jasmine Crockett, suggesting it could inadvertently boost El-Sayed's candidacy.
Moss ran on a platform focused on tackling the cost of living and advocated for a "robust public option" to achieve universal healthcare coverage. He has been vocal about the need for the Democratic Party to adopt a more aggressive stance, telling the Advocate, "We need a stronger, bolder, tougher Democratic Party, one that does not show up to the knife fight carrying a pie chart."
On the campaign trail, Moss sought to redirect attention away from cultural debates, arguing that issues like transgender participation in sports do not address the economic concerns of voters. "There is no trans athlete in Michigan that is causing gas prices to spike," he said, referencing rising energy costs tied to the Iran conflict. "There is no trans athlete in Michigan that is putting up barriers to affordable healthcare."
Moss's win is part of a broader wave of Democratic successes in House races, including Shaheen holding New Hampshire's 1st District and Wasserman Schultz projected to win Florida's 20th District. These results suggest that despite national headwinds, Democrats are defending key seats in competitive districts.
As Moss prepares to take office, his focus on economic issues and his call for a more assertive Democratic Party may signal a shift in the party's messaging as it looks toward the 2026 midterms.
