Matt Maasdam, 50, a retired Navy SEAL, announced his candidacy today for Michigan’s 7th Congressional District.
Maasdam graduated from University of Michigan, joined the U.S. Navy, and became a Navy SEAL – serving under presidents of both parties. Later, he worked his way up to the White House, where he served as military aide to President Barack Obama, carrying the nuclear codes.
Maasdam lives with his wife, Laura, who served as a U.S. Navy helicopter pilot, and their two sons in Ann Arbor, which is outside the 7th District; however, Congressional candidates aren’t required to live in the district in which they’re running.
If elected, Maasdam would be the first Democrat Navy SEAL to serve in the House of Representatives.
Watch his announcement video below:
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.
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.
