Several candidates who plan to target the suburbs told POLITICO their campaigns have found a new animating force in the wake of the shooting.

Hillary Scholten — who is running in Michigan’s redrawn 3rd District, which includes several large West Michigan suburbs, and is currently held by Republican Rep. Peter Meijer — said she’s heard about the issue from voters over the last week.

“I don’t know that I can sort of necessarily put a political lens on this in the pundit’s sense, in terms of how this will impact or sway voters, but I can certainly say from the ground what we’re seeing is people who are very interested in seeing change, because this has resonated in a way that I think is so unique and so personal to people,” said Scholten, who spent a dinner table conversation last week explaining to her fourth grade son Wesley what happened in Uvalde.

“His response was, ‘You know, Mom, we have these drills to prepare for this, but I didn’t really think it actually happened,’” recalled Scholten, who, if elected, would be the first mother representing Grand Rapids, she added.