Matt Maasdam, a Democratic congressional candidate in Michigan, faces criticism for outsourcing jobs while campaigning on a ‘Made in America’ platform.
Matt Maasdam, a Democrat running for Congress in Michigan, is under fire for his claims of supporting U.S. manufacturing. Despite his campaign’s emphasis on a ‘Made in America’ platform, Maasdam’s history reveals a reliance on outsourcing during his tenure at companies he co-founded, including one known for producing jeans favored by podcaster Joe Rogan.
The Navy SEAL-turned-businessman is competing in a crowded primary to challenge incumbent Rep. Tom Barrett, a Republican who won the seat in 2024 after former Sen. Elissa Slotkin, a Democrat, vacated it to pursue a Senate run.
Maasdam’s campaign website outlines his commitment to revitalizing American manufacturing, promising to create jobs that pay fair wages and strengthen supply chains to reduce dependence on foreign countries, particularly China.
However, scrutiny has arisen regarding his business practices. Records obtained by Fox News Digital indicate that PECOS Outdoor, a portable work table company where Maasdam serves as CEO, sought to source products from a Chinese vendor. A shipping record from 2022 shows that PECOS received a container of samples from the Nanjing Tuchun Import and Export Co.
Additionally, both Under Armour and Revtown, the apparel company he co-founded, have been criticized for outsourcing their production overseas. Revtown is recognized for its jeans, which have garnered attention as a favorite of Joe Rogan.
In response to the backlash, Emma Grundhauser, Maasdam’s campaign manager, defended his record, stating that he has always aimed to build a company that produces goods in America because it is the right thing to do, not merely the easiest option. “A one-off shipment of samples doesn’t change that record,” Grundhauser asserted, emphasizing Maasdam’s commitment to bringing jobs back to Michigan.
During a recent candidate forum, Maasdam addressed questions about his private sector record after highlighting endorsements from local labor unions. He acknowledged the challenges of manufacturing jeans in the U.S., attributing the outsourcing decisions of the companies he worked for to the lack of domestic production capabilities. “I worked for Under Armour. They made a lot of their stuff overseas. I wasn’t in charge of Under Armour, right? As much as I would like to make that stuff here, we didn’t,” he admitted.
After serving as a military aide to former President Barack Obama, Maasdam transitioned to the private sector, where he worked for Under Armour before co-founding Revtown. The company sourced denim from Italy and manufactured its products in Guatemala, citing the absence of domestic denim mills as a significant barrier to U.S. production.
Maasdam later co-founded PECOS Outdoor, which claims a commitment to American manufacturing. “I got poached from that company to start another company, and everything in that company was made in America and assembled in America,” he stated. However, the shipping record indicating a connection to a Chinese vendor raises questions about the authenticity of this claim.
As the political landscape heats up in Michigan, House Speaker Mike Johnson and other Republicans are keen to maintain control of the seat to uphold their slim majority in the House. Meanwhile, Democrats view the district as a potential opportunity to regain ground.
Critics have not held back in their assessments of Maasdam’s business practices. Zach Bannon, a spokesman for the National Republican Congressional Committee, accused him of prioritizing personal profit over the interests of Michigan workers. “Millionaire Matt Maasdam lined his own pockets by shipping jobs overseas,” Bannon stated, emphasizing the contradiction between Maasdam’s campaign rhetoric and his business history.
As the primary approaches, Maasdam’s ability to reconcile his past with his current campaign promises will be closely scrutinized by voters and political analysts alike.
According to Fox News Digital, the scrutiny surrounding Maasdam highlights the complexities of balancing business practices with political aspirations in today’s electoral climate.