Election Day 2026: Congressional primaries give way to general election challenges

Several of Michigan’s incumbent representatives have identified their opponent for the coming months, as Democrats and Republicans solidified their nominees across the state’s 13 congressional districts. 

When polls closed at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, results began pouring in from clerks’ offices across the state. While most races have since been called, the Democratic challenger slated to face the incumbent in Michigan’s 2nd Congressional District has yet to be determined.

1st Congressional District

U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman (R-Watersmeet) and attorney Callie Barr are slated for a rematch come November, with unofficial results showing the Republican incumbent and the Democratic challenger taking home their party’s nomination.

Bergman faced off against healthcare executive Matthew DenOtter and Army veteran Justin Michal, receiving 74.3% of the vote, per preliminary results shared by the Associated Press at 3:19 p.m. Wednesday. 

Barr received 58.4% of the vote in the Democratic primary where she faced Iron Mountain Mayor Pro Tem Kyle Blomquist and industrial design firm owner Wayne Stiles.

2nd Congressional District

While U.S. Rep. John Moolenaar (R-Caledonia) was unopposed in the Republican primary, the Democratic contest remained too close to call Wednesday afternoon. 

U.S. Marine Corps Veteran Ben Ambrose, Physician Assistant Jamie Hill and Lake County Commissioner Clyde Welford, are each seeking to oppose Moolenaar in the general election.

3rd Congressional District

Former TV Meteorologist Terri DeBoer will challenge U.S. Rep. Hillary Scholten (D-Grand Rapids) in the general election, securing 78.6% of the vote in the Republican Primary as of 3:20 p.m. Wednesday according to unofficial results shared by the Associated Press. Michigan National Guard Veteran Ryan Cushman received 21.4%.

Scholten was unopposed in the Democratic primary.

4th Congressional District

U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga (R-Holland Township) staved off a challenge from former Holland Mayor Phil Tanis, with unofficial results showing Huizenga with 85% percent of the vote at 3:20 p.m. Wednesday.

In the Democratic primary, state Sen. Sean McCann of Kalamazoo defeated former congressional staffer Diop Harris, securing 65.7% of the vote according to unofficial results shared by the Associated Press.

5th Congressional District

U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg of Tipton was unopposed in the Republican primary, with Democrat Christian Vukasovich similarly unopposed.

6th Congressional District

U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell of Ann Arbor was unopposed in the Democratic primary, as was Republican Heather Smiley.

7th Congressional District

Lansing-area political organizer William Lawrence won the Democratic nomination for the mid-Michigan district, receiving 43.7% of the vote, easily defeating former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink, who received 28.8% while retired Navy SEAL Matt Maasdam received 27.6%

Lawrence is now slated to face the incumbent, U.S. Rep. Tom Barrett (R-Charlotte), in the November general election.

8th Congressional District

Republican voters in Michigan’s 8th Congressional District rejected Amir Hassan, the candidate endorsed by President Donald Trump, for the GOP nomination, choosing instead Thomas Smith, even though Smith suspended his campaign on July 16.

The district, which includes the tri-cities of Saginaw, Midland and Bay City, as well as the Flint area, is currently represented by U.S. Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-Bay City), who was first elected in 2024 and is seeking re-election. She ran unopposed in the Democratic primary.

9th Congressional District

U.S. Rep. Lisa McClain (R-Bruce Township) will face CNC machinist Ray Pooley in the general election, with both McClain and Pooley unopposed in their primary elections.

10th Congressional District

The matchup for November in Michigan’s 10th Congressional District will feature the Republican nominee, U.S. Army Captain Michael Bouchard Jr., and the Democratic nominee, attorney Christina Hines, who each secured their respective party’s nominations in Tuesday’s primary election. 

11th Congressional District

State Sen. Jeremy Moss (D-Bloomfield) emerged victorious in a four-person race for the Democratic nomination to this Oakland County-based district. The heavily Democratic seat means Moss is likely to fill U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens’ empty congressional seat come 2027, although he’ll have to get by Troy Mayor Ethan Baker, the sole Republican candidate on the ballot.  

12th Congressional District

U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Detroit) defeated challengers Shanelle Jackson and Byron Nolen, receiving 73.9% of the vote as of 11:49 a.m. Wednesday according to unofficial results.

Republican James Hooper was unopposed in the primary.

13th Congressional District

Michigan State Rep. Donavan McKinney emerged victorious in the race for Michigan’s 13th Congressional District, lodging a successful challenge against incumbent U.S. Rep. Shri Thanedar (D-Detroit).

McKinney is almost assured to be elected to Congress in the reliably Democratic district. The only Republican candidate, T.P. Nykoriak, was sentenced in 2016 to 16 months in federal prison for stealing U.S. savings bonds from a church.