Two underdog Democratic candidates are taking aim at area GOP congressmen.

A 51-year-old East Lansing resident is challenging U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers for the 8th Congressional District seat.

Frank McAlpine said he anticipates an economically focused race against Rogers, R-Brighton, who was elected to the seat in 2000.

McAlpine, a lawyer, filed the required number of signatures June 11 to appear on the ballot as a Democrat. The 8th District includes Ingham, Clinton, parts of Shiawassee and Oakland counties.

“Those are the issues that will dominate,” he said. “Mike Rogers claims to be a conservative, but his record is anything but conservative regarding economic issues.”

Rogers’ office said he was unavailable for comment because he has been in meetings about homeland security.

McAlpine ran for the 8th District seat in 1992 as an independent. He received 4.3 percent of the vote and lost to Democrat Bob Carr.

This time, he said he hopes to “get out and meet the voters and address the issues.”

“If I run the 1992 campaign again, I could win,” he said. “It’s different circumstances. I have a great deal more support.”

In the 7th District race, Addison small business owner Mike Simpson, 39, filed as a Democrat to run against Rep. Nick Smith, R-Addison. The district includes Eaton, Branch, Hillsdale, Lenawee, Jackson and parts of Washtenaw and Calhoun counties.

Simpson said his priority is bringing affordable health care to Michigan residents. Simpson’s daughter, Gina, died from bone cancer when she was 16.

“Not only did I bury a child, I lost everything,” he said. “It totally bankrupted my family.”

Simpson also hopes to focus on a prescription drug plan for senior citizens.

“It’s ridiculous that you can go across the border and get medication for 47 cents on the dollar,” he said. “Somebody’s getting taken advantage of somewhere.”

Smith said he continues to focus on national security and the war on terrorism, but his main goal in this election is “to win.”

But experts say the election might be a little one-sided.

Since new district maps were drawn by the Republican-led Legislature, the two districts most likely lie in GOP favor, political science Professor Carol Weissert said. And she said the new district lines are only one factor working against the challengers.

“Incumbents always have a leg up,” she said. “Name recognition always works in their favor.”

But Simpson said he is ready for that challenge.

“Nick Smith has been in politics longer than my 23-year-old son has been alive,” he said. “He’s out of touch with the people.”

McAlpine said he hopes for “lively debate and in-depth discussion of the issues.”

“It’s a lot of very, very hard work,” he said of the race.

“But I’m definitely looking forward to it.”