Kristen McDonald Rivet

Kristen McDonald Rivet
Kristen McDonald Rivet
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives; from Michigan's 8th district
	Incumbent
	Assumed office ; January 3, 2025
Preceded by	Dan Kildee
Member of the Michigan Senate; from the 35th district
	In office; January 1, 2023 – January 3, 2025
Preceded by	Curt VanderWall
Succeeded by	Vacant
Personal details
Born	Kristen Lee McDonald; July 11, 1970 (age 54); Portland, Michigan, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Joseph Rivet
Children	6
Relatives	Karen McDonald (sister)
Education	Michigan State University (BA); University of Michigan, Flint (MA)

Kristen Lee McDonald Rivet^[1] (born July 11, 1970) is an American politician who has served as a member of the United States House of Representatives from Michigan's 8th congressional district since 2025. She was a member of the Michigan Senate for the 35th district from 2023 to 2025.

Early life and education

McDonald Rivet was born on July 11, 1970, in Portland, Michigan,^[2] where she was raised with her fraternal twin sister Karen McDonald. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Michigan State University and a Master of Arts in education and public administration from the University of Michigan–Flint.^[3]

Career

Prior to entering politics, McDonald Rivet served as chief of staff for State Superintendent Michael P. Flanagan and was vice president of the Skillman Foundation.^[4] Her first political position was in the Charter Commission for Bay City, Michigan.^[5] McDonald Rivet followed that up by serving as a member of the Bay City Commission, representing the city's 2nd ward.^[6]

Michigan Senate

She was elected to the Michigan Senate in November 2022, defeating Republican state Representative Annette Glenn.^[7]^[8]

U.S. House of Representatives

McDonald Rivet declared her candidacy to run for the United States House of Representatives Michigan's 8th congressional district to replace the retiring Dan Kildee in the 2024 Democratic primary.^[9] McDonald Rivet won the election.^[10]

Personal life

McDonald Rivet and her husband, Joseph Rivet, have six children.^[2] She is a Catholic.^[11]

Election History

Michigan's 8th congressional district, 2024^[12]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Kristen McDonald Rivet	217,490	51.3
	Republican	Paul Junge	189,317	44.6
	Working Class	Kathy Goodwin	8,492	2.0
	Libertarian	Steve Barcelo	4,768	1.1
	Constitution	James Allen Little	2,681	0.6
	Green	Jim Casha	1,602	0.4
Total votes			424,350	100.0
	Democratic hold

Michigan's 35th state Senate District General Election, 2022^[13]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Kristen McDonald Rivet	62,105	53.4
	Republican	Annette Glenn	54,246	46.6
Total votes			116,351	100.0
	Democratic gain from Republican

References

^ "Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet - D Michigan, 8th - Biography". LegiStorm. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
^ ^a ^b "Michigan Legislative Biography - Kristen McDonald Rivet". Library of Michigan. Retrieved January 4, 2024.
^ Chalk, Dan (September 30, 2022). "McDonald Rivet, Glenn share views in 35th State Senate District race". Midland Daily News. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
^ "Kristen McDonald". Detroit Regional Chamber. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
^ Dodson, Andrew (November 13, 2017). "Here are the elected members of the Bay City Charter Commission". mlive. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
^ "Michigan Legislature is up for grabs: These are races to watch on Election Day | Bridge Michigan". www.bridgemi.com. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
^ Chalk, Dan (November 9, 2022). "McDonald Rivet defeats Glenn for 35th District state senate seat". Midland Daily News. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
^ "Kristen McDonald Rivet". Ballotpedia. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
^ Pasciolla, Isabelle (January 4, 2024). "Sen. Kristen McDonald Rivet celebrates Congressional run announcement; receives union endorsement". Midland Daily News. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
^ Spangler, Todd (November 6, 2024). "McDonald Rivet wins Michigan's 8th Congressional District race". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
^ "Religious affiliation of members of the 119th Congress" (PDF). Pew Research Center. Retrieved January 8, 2025.
^ "2024 Michigan Election Results". Michigan Department of State. November 22, 2024.
^ "2022 Michigan Election Results". Michigan Department of State. January 6, 2025.

External links

Campaign website
Appearances on C-SPAN

Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress

U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Dan Kildee	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Michigan's 8th congressional district 2025–present	Incumbent
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by April McClain-Delaney	United States representatives by seniority 412th	Succeeded by Addison McDowell

[1] "Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet - D Michigan, 8th - Biography". LegiStorm. Retrieved November 6, 2024.

[legbio-2] "Michigan Legislative Biography - Kristen McDonald Rivet". Library of Michigan. Retrieved January 4, 2024.

[3] Chalk, Dan (September 30, 2022). "McDonald Rivet, Glenn share views in 35th State Senate District race". Midland Daily News. Retrieved November 16, 2022.

[4] "Kristen McDonald". Detroit Regional Chamber. Retrieved November 16, 2022.

[5] Dodson, Andrew (November 13, 2017). "Here are the elected members of the Bay City Charter Commission". mlive. Retrieved January 9, 2024.

[6] "Michigan Legislature is up for grabs: These are races to watch on Election Day | Bridge Michigan". www.bridgemi.com. Retrieved November 16, 2022.

[7] Chalk, Dan (November 9, 2022). "McDonald Rivet defeats Glenn for 35th District state senate seat". Midland Daily News. Retrieved November 16, 2022.

[8] "Kristen McDonald Rivet". Ballotpedia. Retrieved November 16, 2022.

[9] Pasciolla, Isabelle (January 4, 2024). "Sen. Kristen McDonald Rivet celebrates Congressional run announcement; receives union endorsement". Midland Daily News. Retrieved January 9, 2024.

[10] Spangler, Todd (November 6, 2024). "McDonald Rivet wins Michigan's 8th Congressional District race". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved November 6, 2024.

[11] "Religious affiliation of members of the 119th Congress" (PDF). Pew Research Center. Retrieved January 8, 2025.

[MIElectionResults2024-12] "2024 Michigan Election Results". Michigan Department of State. November 22, 2024.

[MIElectionResults2022-13] "2022 Michigan Election Results". Michigan Department of State. January 6, 2025.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

v t e Michigan's current delegation to the United States Congress
Senators	▌Gary Peters (D) ▌Elissa Slotkin (D)
Representatives (ordered by district)	▌Jack Bergman (R) ▌John Moolenaar (R) ▌Hillary Scholten (D) ▌Bill Huizenga (R) ▌Tim Walberg (R) ▌Debbie Dingell (D) ▌Tom Barrett (R) ▌Kristen McDonald Rivet (D) ▌Lisa McClain (R) ▌John James (R) ▌Haley Stevens (D) ▌Rashida Tlaib (D) ▌Shri Thanedar (D)