FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
News from Progress Michigan
September 14, 2026
Contact: Levi Teitel, levi@progressmichigan.org
New Poll: Michiganders Want Representatives That Actually Live Here
MICHIGAN — Recent polling conducted by Progress Michigan in partnership with Public Policy Polling shows that an overwhelming number of Michiganders want representatives who live in the district or state they represent. Over four out of five Michiganders say it matters whether a candidate actually lives in the state or district they seek to represent.
“You can’t truly represent a community you have not been a part of consistently,” said Justin Mendoza, executive director of Progress Michigan. “Our communities deserve representatives that are tapped into our issues — people that live here, pay attention to what’s been happening here, and understand the needs of the Michiganders they are asking to represent. Not people who moved to Florida, but come back and stay with relatives in Michigan to run for office.”
When voting for a candidate, how much does it matter to you whether the candidate actually lives in the state or district they seek to represent: a lot, a little bit, or not at all?
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