The military aide who carried the “nuclear football” for President Barack Obama appears poised to jump into the race to challenge first-term U.S. Rep. Tom Barrett to represent Michigan’s 7th Congressional District.
Democrat Matt Maasdam, 50, is a retired Navy SEAL who was deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan, Africa and the Pacific. He lives in Ann Arbor, which is outside the 7th District; Congressional candidates aren’t required to live in the district in which they’re running.
While in Iraq, Maasdam’s bio lists that he was in charge of security for the Iraqi vice president; he was lead instructor for “Hell Week” at SEAL training; and he represented U.S. Special Operations Command at the National Counterterrorism Center, focused on strategic planning against Al-Qaeda. Maasdam retired from the military as a commander in the U.S. Navy, and went into the private sector as an executive at Under Armour, heading e-commerce operations and serving as chief of staff for a 2,000-person team.
According to reporting by Punchbowl News, Maasdam has met with the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and House Majority PAC, as well as members of Congress who are veterans, according to two people familiar with his plans.
He’s also met with an independent group aligned with Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffires of New York, as well as with representatives with veteran or service backgrounds.
Maasdam is being advised by Emma Grundhauser, who managed Slotkin’s winning 2022 House campaign against Barrett. (Grundhauser was also Slotkin’s deputy campaign manager for her winning 2024 Senate race.)
After losing to Slokin by 5 points in what was the most expensive U.S. House race in 2022, Barrett ran again for the 7th District seat after Slotkin decided to run for U.S. Senate in 2024. In that race, Barrett beat Democrat Curtis Hertel Jr. by nearly 4 points, while President Donald Trump narrowly carried the district.
Like Maasdam, Barrett has impressive military credentials as a former Army helicopter pilot. The House last week unanimously passed legislation he introduced to help disabled veterans.
Judy Daubenmier, chair of the Livingston County Democrats, said she is “looking forward to sitting down with Matt and learning more about him.”
“He certainly has an impressive resume,” she said.
Other possible Democratic contenders reportedly being floated for the 7th include state Sen. Sarah Anthony, D-Lansing, and former House Minority Leader Donna Lasinski. Like Maasdam, Lasinski lives in Ann Arbor, outside the 7th District.
