Democrat Josh Cowen, an education policy professor at Michigan State University, launched a campaign for the U.S. House on Thursday, aiming to take on first-term Republican Rep. Tom Barrett next fall.

Cowen, 46, of East Lansing plans to focus his campaign on affordability and education issues. His research has focused on teacher quality, education politics and school choice, with his latest book critical of former Education Secretary Betsy DeVos and her promotion of school vouchers: "The Privateers: How Billionaires Created a Culture War and Sold School Vouchers."

"I am running, one, because I'm a dad, first and foremost. I'm a lifelong educator, member of the local union here at the (National Education Association) affiliate. I have been fighting Betsy DeVos for the last several years and really my whole career, standing up for public schools," Cowen told The Detroit News.

"What's in the One Big Beautiful Bill? This is all part of the same fight against these right-wing billionaires that are coming for our schools, coming for our health care, coming for our jobs, coming for an affordable cost of living. So what are you going to do about it?" he added.

"I have a platform. I've spoken all over the country on this issue. I've fought on this issue here. I think it's just too important at this point to not try to actually be part of the solution beyond just talking about it. And that's that's why I decided to get into this."

Cowen began meeting with local groups around mid-Michigan's 7th District in March as he mulled a bid. National Democrats and Republicans both are trained on Barrett's seat in the 2026 midterm elections, with Democrats aiming to flip control of the district, which covers Ingham, Livingston, Clinton and Shiawassee counties, along with parts of Eaton, Oakland and Genesee counties.

With Cowen's announcement, the Democratic primary is getting crowded. Bridget Brink, the recently resigned U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, is also running, as well as former Navy SEAL Matt Maasdam of Ann Arbor. Another possible Democratic contender being urged to run is former Michigan House Minority Leader Donna Lasinski, D-Ann Arbor.

Barrett, a veteran who served in Iraq and as a state lawmaker, had a strong fundraising quarter over the last three months, bringing in over $1 million, his campaign said Wednesday. Barrett defeated Democrat Curtis Hertel Jr. last fall by 3.7 percentage points when the seat was left empty because Democrat Elissa Slotkin ran for the Senate.

"Another day, another far-left radical joins the Democrat circus in Michigan’s 7th," said Zach Bannon, a spokesman for the National Republican Congressional Committee.

"Josh Cowen is the latest out-of-touch Democrat to jump into the crowded, expensive primary, all fighting for the honor of being rejected by Michiganders next year.”

Asked how he'll distinguish himself in the primary, Cowen said he'll focus on what he brings to the table: "This track record of fighting for families, standing up to right-wing donors like Betsy DeVos, standing up for investments in first and foremost public schools, but it's everything else too — affordability, jobs, health care — all part of the same fight."

Cowen grew up in Chelsea and moved away for graduate school in 2001, with his first teaching job in Kentucky, he said. He moved back to Michigan 12 years ago, and his children attend Williamson High School.

He launched his campaign with the support of over 300 public school educators after last week receiving the 2025 Friend of Education award from the National Education Association and speaking at the teacher union's national conference.

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