Former Ford engineer launches bid for Michigan congressional seat

Don Ufford | Campaign photo

With U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens of Birmingham running for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate, Don Ufford, a former Ford Motor Co. engineer and business leader, on Tuesday launched his own bid for Stevens’ 11th Congressional District seat.

Ufford in a campaign announcement touted his farming background and his experience in the automotive industry, leading engineering teams that redesigned classic vehicles and created new ones that led to job growth.

After Ford, Ufford said he secured $50 million to train Michigan workers for the jobs of the future, and became an active mentor for STEM students.

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He’s now running for Congress as a Democrat to stand up to what he called President Donald Trump’s “reckless economic policies.”

“Today our future in Michigan is at risk,” Ufford said. “Donald Trump and his far-right backers are crashing the economy with tariffs that will devastate our auto industry and put a tariff tax on Michigan families, increasing the cost of everything – all while Trump destroys climate science, dismantles public education, restricts our freedoms, and puts lives at risk while cutting health care.”

Ufford said it’s time for Democrats to step up and stop Trump in his tracks, and that’s why he’s hoping to win the 11th District’s vote in next year’s August primary.

Also seeking the Democratic nomination in the 11th District are state Sen. Jeremy Moss (D-Southfield) and attorney Aisha Farooqi of Sterling Heights. On the Republican side, Anthony Paesano and Mike Steger have also filed to run.