MARQUETTE — Dana Ferguson, a Democrat and lifelong Michigan resident, has announced his bid to be the next U.S. Representative for Michigan’s 1st Congressional District, the second largest geographic district east of the Mississippi River, according to a press release.

“Being a Representative is about knowing your constituents. It’s about understanding what they go through on a daily basis. It’s about knowing their struggles, knowing what’s important to them, and knowing the challenges they face,” reads a quote from Ferguson’s website, www.FergusonForMichigan1.com. “If you don’t know who you represent, how can you represent them? I know the people of the 1st District. I am one of them, and have been my whole life.”

Ferguson graduated from Negaunee High School in 1997. He received his bachelor’s in economics and his master’s in public administration from Northern Michigan University. While going to school and raising a family he worked primarily in the construction field.

“Having a family to take care of and bills to pay, faced with a poor job market and not wanting to move, I ended up staying in the construction field,” Ferguson said in the release. “My struggles have made me who I am today. They have taught me to stay positive no matter what. I wouldn’t change anything about my past. The challenges I’ve faced have made me stronger, smarter, and more in tune with those I want to represent.”

To learn more about Dana Ferguson and his campaign, visit his website, www.FergusonForMichigan1.com, or his Facebook page @FergusonForCongress.