C. Mia Pettus Brings Focus on Constitutional Rights, Economic Opportunity to Michigan’s 8th Congressional District Race
Libertarian candidate draws on law enforcement experience, personal challenges and government accountability work in bid for Congress.
FLINT, Mich. — Mia C. Pettus is seeking to bring a different perspective to Washington as the Libertarian candidate for Michigan’s 8th Congressional District in the November 3, 2026, general election. A former law enforcement officer, independent researcher and publisher, Pettus has centered her congressional bid on constitutional rights, government transparency and economic opportunity. Her candidacy adds a third-party voice to a race that includes Democratic incumbent U.S. Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet and Republican challenger Thomas J. Smith. Pettus is positioning herself as an alternative for voters seeking greater accountability from elected officials and federal institutions.
Pettus previously served as a certified police officer in Philadelphia and later as a civilian federal police officer with the U.S. Department of Defense. Her professional background has influenced her views on government authority, due process and the responsibility of public institutions to operate within constitutional boundaries. She has also worked as an independent researcher and digital publisher, examining questions involving civil liberties, government surveillance and individual privacy. Through her online publication, PALS Report, she explores issues surrounding constitutional protections, public accountability and the exercise of government power.
Beyond her professional experience, Pettus has spoken openly about personal challenges that shaped her understanding of the struggles facing American families. Those experiences include financial hardship, housing instability, food insecurity, entrepreneurship and raising a child with a disability. She connects those experiences to her interest in affordability, access to opportunity and the impact of government decisions on everyday households. Her approach places personal experience alongside constitutional principles in explaining why she is seeking federal office.
Economic concerns are a significant part of Pettus’ platform, particularly as Michigan families continue navigating housing expenses, healthcare costs and other financial pressures. She supports strengthening domestic manufacturing, expanding skilled-trades opportunities and creating conditions that allow small businesses to grow. Her priorities also include encouraging the return of manufacturing jobs to the United States and reducing financial burdens on working families. Pettus argues that economic opportunity and responsible government spending are essential to strengthening communities throughout Michigan.
Government oversight and individual liberty are equally prominent themes in her congressional bid. Pettus supports stronger protections for whistleblowers, increased transparency in federal operations and greater scrutiny of government surveillance practices. She has expressed particular concern about privacy rights and the Fourth Amendment, which protects against unreasonable searches and seizures. Her positions reflect a broader belief that government institutions should remain accountable to the citizens they serve.
Public safety, healthcare and infrastructure also figure into Pettus’ priorities for the district. She supports efforts addressing neighborhood safety, mental health, substance abuse and community revitalization while emphasizing responsible use of public resources. Her broader policy agenda includes energy independence, border security, military preparedness and infrastructure improvements. She has also identified environmental stewardship, patient autonomy and medical privacy as issues deserving congressional attention.
Michigan’s 8th Congressional District includes Flint, Saginaw, Bay City and surrounding communities across portions of mid-Michigan. The district encompasses urban neighborhoods, suburban communities, industrial centers and rural areas with varying economic and infrastructure needs. For candidates seeking to represent the region, issues involving employment, healthcare access, public safety and federal investment remain important considerations. Pettus enters the race as one of several candidates offering voters competing approaches to those challenges.
As the November election approaches, Pettus faces the task of introducing her platform to voters in a district currently represented by McDonald Rivet. The ballot also includes Green Party candidate Jim Casha and Working Class Party candidate Kathy Goodwin, giving voters five choices in the congressional contest. Pettus’ candidacy brings additional attention to questions about constitutional protections, federal oversight and the relationship between government and the communities it represents. Ultimately, voters will determine which candidate’s experience, priorities and vision best reflect the needs of Michigan’s 8th Congressional District.
For learn more about Mia and her priorities visit: https://pettusforcongress.org.
Click below 👇🏽 to listen to The Sunday Chronicle: Hear the conversation with C. Mia Pettus
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