Jeff Thomas

GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- A local businessman and nonprofit organizer announced his candidacy this week to challenge U.S. Rep. Justin Amash in 2018.

Jeff Thomas is the first Democrat to file for the Cascade Township Republican's seat representing Michigan's 3rd congressional district, according to Federal Election Commission records.

Thomas listed his top priorities as "education, healthcare, criminal justice reform, a living minimum wage and cleaning up the campaign finance system," in a statement announcing his candidacy.

"No American should have to suffer because they cannot afford the healthcare they need, go deeply into debt to get an education, or fear the law simply because of who they are," Thomas said in the statement. "As your representative, I will fight to ensure that our government defends the rights and serves the needs of all its people -- not just the rich and well connected -- and that our future is one of shared opportunity and prosperity."

Amash is currently serving his fourth consecutive two-year term representing the district in the U.S. House of Representatives.

In his statement, Thomas criticized the incumbent congressman, saying "Amash has a lot to answer for."

"He voted in support of the American Health Care Act ,a bill pushed by Donald Trump that would take health coverage away from millions," Thomas said. "He has shown indifference to protecting the Great Lakes, and failed to join the bipartisan effort to aid the people of Flint."

Thomas is the owner of a web design and development company and also serves as executive director of Nonprofit Innovations, an organization that works to end hunger by supporting food pantries and other programs. He is a graduate of Grand Rapids City High/Middle School and Northern Michigan University and lives in Grand Rapids with his wife, Elianna.

The Democrat plans to kick of his campaign with a town hall meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 13, at the Hastings Public Library, and plans to hold similar events in the future in Ionia, Battle Creek and Grand Rapids.

Michigan's 3rd congressional district, which stretches from Albion in the south to Sand Lake in the north and includes all or portions of Barry, Calhoun, Ionia, Kent and Montcalm counties.

Thomas is sure to face an uphill battle for the district, which has solidly supported Republican presidential candidates in the last seven elections.

After beating out U.S. Attorney Patrick Miles to win the seat in 2010, Amash has repelled challenges in each of his three bids for reelection. In each, he took more than 50 percent of the vote and, in 2016, defeated Democrat Douglas Smith by a 75,000-vote margin.

Prior to Amash, the seat was held by Republican Vernon "Vern" Ehlers for 18 years.

The area, which was part of Michigan's 5th congressional district prior 1993, has not elected a Democrat to Congress since 1974, when Richard Vander Veen was elected to a single term in Congress. Immediately prior to Vander Veen, the seat was held by Gerald R. Ford, who was destined to become vice president and, later, president of the United States.

Amash is not the only West Michigan Republican who will face a challenger in the 2018 election.

Robert Davidson, an emergency room doctor, recently announced his intention to run as a Democrat for Michigan's 2nd congressional district seat, currently held by U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga, R-Zeeland.