Inside the Michigan State CapitolOriginal footage · Stephen Schumacher / MRP
This collection preserves our 2026 primary coverage. Each campaign section keeps its own reporting date; historical status labels and forecasts should be read in that context. Results are available separately.
Candidate activity, officeholding, endorsements and financial figures below retain their original reporting context. They do not describe the current field.
2026 race guide
Governor campaign snapshot · 2026
The Republican governor primary is now John James vs. Perry Johnson. Former candidates remain below as a compact reference for voters tracking ballot and campaign-status changes.
Only John James and Perry Johnson remain active in the Republican gubernatorial primary. Candidate status reflects campaign activity as of July 20, 2026; official ballot appearance should be verified with state and local election officials.
Suspended
Mike Cox
Former Michigan Attorney General
Law and order, anti-crime
View profile
Candidate brief
Cox suspended his campaign on July 17, 2026 and endorsed John James. His campaign described him as a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and former Michigan Attorney General, emphasizing lower taxes, public safety, and education outcomes.
Issue focusLaw and order, anti-crime
Finance and filings
CommitteeMike Cox 2026
MiTN ID / Status521871 (Suspended)
Suspended campaign July 17, 2026; endorsed John James.
Use the committee name or MiTN ID shown here when searching the Michigan filings portal.
U.S. Representative; prior Republican nominee for U.S. Senate.
Parental Bill of Rights, education reform
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Candidate brief
The campaign describes James as a decorated combat veteran, job creator, and public servant running to be Michigan’s next governor. The official bio emphasizes “hard work, faith, and family” and frames his campaign around leadership and service themes. He faces backlash over his “kill switch” vote.
Issue focusParental Bill of Rights, education reform
Finance and filings
CommitteeJohn James for Michigan
MiTN ID / StatusPending State Filing
FEC IDC00806612 (Federal)
Backed by Super PAC 'Mission Michigan' (DeVos funded)
Use the committee name or MiTN ID shown here when searching the Michigan filings portal.
The campaign emphasizes Nesbitt’s upbringing on a multi-generation dairy and grape farm in Lawton and frames his message around Michigan roots, family, and conservative governance themes.
Businessman; prior Republican candidate for governor.
Eliminating state income tax, cutting waste
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Candidate brief
The campaign describes Johnson as a businessman focused on efficiency and cost control, framing his message around reducing waste in state government and eliminating Michigan’s income tax.
Issue focusEliminating state income tax, cutting waste
Finance and filings
CommitteePerry Johnson for Governor
MiTN ID / Status520350
Primarily self-funding (Using 2022 Committee ID)
Use the committee name or MiTN ID shown here when searching the Michigan filings portal.
Inactive candidate referenceFormer candidates and ballot-status notesMike Cox, Aric Nesbitt, Ralph Rebandt, and Tom Leonard remain available here for voter context, ballot-status tracking, and archival reference.
Disqualified candidate
Not certified for the ballot
Ralph Rebandt remains listed below for reference after the Board of State Canvassers did not certify his nominating petitions at the May 28, 2026 meeting.
DISQ
Ralph Rebandt
Pastor; prior gubernatorial candidate.
Government transparency, traditional values
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Candidate brief
The Board of State Canvassers did not certify Rebandt’s nominating petitions at its May 28, 2026 meeting. His campaign bio describes him as a pastor and community leader, emphasizing a working-class Michigan upbringing and a leadership narrative framed around family and Michigan-roots themes.
Issue focusGovernment transparency, traditional values
Finance and filings
CommitteeRalph Rebandt for Governor
MiTN ID / Status520027 (DISQ)
Heavily self-funding (nearly $800k)
Use the committee name or MiTN ID shown here when searching the Michigan filings portal.
Tom Leonard remains listed below for reference but is no longer an active candidate in the gubernatorial primary.
Withdrawn
Tom Leonard
Former Speaker of the Michigan House.
Making Michigan a 'growth state'
View profile
Candidate brief
Leonard has withdrawn from the 2026 Michigan Republican gubernatorial primary and endorsed John James. His campaign biography emphasized Michigan roots and family, and framed his candidacy around making Michigan a “growth state.”
Issue focusMaking Michigan a 'growth state'
Finance and filings
CommitteeTom Leonard for Michigan
MiTN ID / Status518295 (Withdrawn)
Withdrawn from the 2026 governor race; endorsed John James.
Use the committee name or MiTN ID shown here when searching the Michigan filings portal.
Use the Michigan Transparency Network portal to search the committee name or MiTN committee ID for each candidate, then review contribution and expenditure reports in the state filing system.
Recommended process
Open the Michigan Transparency Network portal from a candidate profile.
Search the committee name or MiTN ID shown in the finance column.
Review the committee’s contribution and expenditure reports in the state filing system.
If a committee ID is still pending, search by candidate name and committee name instead.
Historical record · May 31, 2026
Candidate activity, officeholding, endorsements and financial figures below retain their original reporting context. They do not describe the current field.
2026 race guide
U.S. Senate campaign snapshot · 2026
A field guide to the Republican field for Michigan's open U.S. Senate seat in 2026, with filing-by-filing FEC finance history and ballot-status notes.
PrimaryGeneralLast updated
Candidate directory
For informational use. Mike Rogers is listed as the active Republican candidate here; Bernadette Smith remains below for reference after Board of State Canvassers petition review. Filing history shows Year-End 2025 and Q1 2026 FEC reports through March 31, 2026.
Mike Rogers
Former U.S. Representative (MI-08) & Intel Chair
View profile
Campaign biography
Rogers served seven terms representing Michigan's 8th Congressional District, where he chaired the powerful House Intelligence Committee. A former FBI Special Agent and U.S. Army officer, his campaign emphasizes national security, border enforcement, and his deep institutional experience.
Campaign outlook
Rogers enters the primary as the heavy fundraising frontrunner, securing significant institutional and PAC support. His commanding cash advantage signals strong momentum heading into the primary.
FEC filing history
Report
Coverage
Receipts
Disbursements
Cash on hand
Debts
Year-End 2025
Jan. 1-Dec. 31, 2025
$5,382,858.37
$2,183,554.50
$3,454,035.31
$0.00
Q1 2026
Jan. 1-Mar. 31, 2026
$2,240,481.12
$1,486,488.60
$4,208,027.83
$0.00
Candidate IDS4MI00595
Committee IDC00849810
Rows isolate each filing period so readers can compare movement from Year-End 2025 to Q1 2026. Cash and debt figures are end-of-period amounts.
Bernadette Smith remains listed below for reference after the Board of State Canvassers did not certify her nominating petitions following May 2026 petition review.
Bernadette Smith DISQ
Former MI GOP Co-Chair & Grassroots Leader · Disqualified after petition review
View profile
Campaign biography
The Board of State Canvassers did not certify Smith’s nominating petitions after May 2026 petition review. As the former Co-Chair of the Michigan Republican Party, Smith brings deep ties to local precinct delegates and community organizers.
Campaign outlook
Smith remains listed here for reference, with campaign links and FEC filing history preserved. Her campaign positioned her as a "boots-on-the-ground" conservative alternative focused on activating working-class and minority voters rather than traditional mega-donor fundraising.
FEC filing history
Report
Coverage
Receipts
Disbursements
Cash on hand
Debts
Year-End 2025
Oct. 1-Dec. 31, 2025
$14,796.95
$6,385.13
$8,411.82
$0.00
Q1 2026
Jan. 1-Mar. 31, 2026
$39,007.46
$46,114.67
$1,304.61
$0.00
Candidate IDS6MI00517 (DISQ)
Committee IDC00926279
Rows isolate each filing period so readers can compare movement from Year-End 2025 to Q1 2026. Cash and debt figures are end-of-period amounts.
Candidate activity, officeholding, endorsements and financial figures below retain their original reporting context. They do not describe the current field.
2026 House Race Guide
Congressional campaign snapshots · 2026
Select a district to review the Republican primary field, the likely general-election environment, and current FEC finance context across Michigan’s 13 U.S. House races.
Primary August 4, 2026General November 3, 2026Districts 13 race filesActive GOP 22 candidatesLast Updated May 31, 2026
Interactive District Map
Select a district
Use the map or the district index above to open the full race file below. The map remains tied to the district register so every selection can jump directly to the right race.
Matched candidates also link to the Qualified Candidates page for additional verified campaign and profile details.
District Selection
Use the map or district index to open a district race file.
Each file includes the Republican field, opposing incumbent or Democratic field, district profile, and current FEC finance context.
MI-XX
—
Open district race file
Map colors reflect current seat control under the present lines, not a projection of the 2026 result.
Republican-heldDemocratic-held
District 01
MI-01 — Incumbent: Jack Bergman (R)
Republican-held seat · Solid R (R+11) · 3 Republican candidates
View race file
District Brief
MI-01 is a vast, predominantly rural district spanning all of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula and large parts of Northern Lower Michigan. It is older and overwhelmingly White (89.4%). Cook rates MI-01 Solid R (R+11), and Bergman’s recent wins have been comfortable (R+21 to R+25).
Geography
“Two-peninsulas” district; contains all 15 Upper Peninsula counties and 20 Northern Lower Peninsula counties.
Stats
Pop 787,617 | Med age 47.4 | Med HH inc $64,299 | Urban/Rural 36.6/63.4
Race / ethnicity
White 89.4 | NatAm 2.4 | Hisp 2.0 | Black 0.9 | Asian 0.5 | 2+ 4.4
Where available, candidate panels reflect the latest visible FEC report, most recently the filing due April 15, 2026, covering activity through March 31, 2026.
Republican-held seat · Solid R (R+15) · 1 Republican candidate
View race file
District Brief
MI-02 spans small-city and rural counties from the Lake Michigan shoreline inland. It is Solid R (R+15), and Moolenaar’s margins have been large (R+29 in 2022; R+33 in 2024).
Geography
Large west/central Michigan district spanning multiple inland counties plus portions of Ottawa/Muskegon/Kent.
Stats
Pop 788,872 | Med age 41.3 | Med HH inc ~$66k
Race / ethnicity
White 87.8 | Hisp 4.7 | 2+ 4.0 | Black 2.0 | NatAm 0.7 | Asian 0.5
Key hubs
Mount Pleasant; Big Rapids; Cadillac; Ludington
FEC Finance Context
Where available, candidate panels reflect the latest visible FEC report, most recently the filing due April 15, 2026, covering activity through March 31, 2026.
Status notes: Andrew Ault is not active on the May 28 official candidate listing.
District 03
MI-03 — Incumbent: Hillary Scholten (D)
Democratic-held seat · Likely D (D+4) · 2 Republican candidates
View race file
District Brief
MI-03 is anchored in Grand Rapids and Muskegon. It is younger and more diverse than rural districts. Cook rates it Likely D (D+4), and Scholten won by roughly 10 points in 2024.
Geography
West Michigan seat anchored on greater Grand Rapids, extending to Muskegon.
Stats
Pop 791,175 | Med age 36.3 | Med HH inc ~$77k
Race / ethnicity
White 70.1 | Black 11.1 | Hisp 10.7 | Asian 3.0 | 2+ 4.4
Status notes: J. Allen Fiorletta is not active on the May 28 official candidate listing.
Democratic Incumbent
Hillary Scholten (D)
Incumbent
District 04
MI-04 — Incumbent: Bill Huizenga (R)
Republican-held seat · Likely R (R+3) · 2 Republican candidates
View race file
District Brief
MI-04 runs from the shoreline inland to Kalamazoo. It is Likely R (R+3), and Huizenga won by about 12 points in 2024.
Geography
Southwest/West Michigan seat along Lake Michigan; includes Holland, Kalamazoo, and Battle Creek.
Stats
Pop 785,367 | Med age 37.9 | Med HH inc ~$70k
Race / ethnicity
White 75.0 | Hisp 8.6 | Black 8.3 | Asian 2.5 | 2+ 4.8
Key hubs
Holland; Benton Harbor; Kalamazoo; Battle Creek
FEC Finance Context
Where available, candidate panels reflect the latest visible FEC report, most recently the filing due April 15, 2026, covering activity through March 31, 2026.
Status notes: Jessica Swartz is not active on the May 28 official candidate listing.
District 05
MI-05 — Incumbent: Tim Walberg (R)
Republican-held seat · Solid R (R+13) · 1 Republican candidate
View race file
District Brief
MI-05 spans the southern border counties. It is Solid R (R+13), and Walberg won by over 30 points in 2024.
Geography
South/south-central district along the Indiana border; includes Jackson and Monroe.
Stats
Pop 775,260 | Med age 42.5 | Med HH inc ~$70k
Race / ethnicity
White 84.5 | Hisp 5.2 | Black 4.1 | Asian 0.9 | 2+ 4.7
Key hubs
Jackson; Monroe; Adrian; Coldwater
FEC Finance Context
Where available, candidate panels reflect the latest visible FEC report, most recently the filing due April 15, 2026, covering activity through March 31, 2026.
Republican-held seat · Toss Up (Even) · 1 Republican candidate
View race file
Race Brief
General Election Threat Level: High
This is a highly competitive, Lansing-based swing seat that Republicans flipped in 2024. National Democrats have made reclaiming this Toss-Up district a top priority for the 2026 map, ensuring a brutal, multi-million dollar general election fight.
MI-07 is the Lansing-based swing seat. It is rated Toss Up (Even PVI). Barrett flipped the seat in 2024 by roughly 3.7%.
Geography
Lansing-centered swing district including Clinton, Shiawassee, Ingham, Livingston counties.
Stats
Pop 781,761 | Med age 39.0 | Med HH inc ~$80k
Race / ethnicity
White 79.9 | Black 5.9 | Hisp 5.7 | Asian 3.2 | 2+ 4.6
Key hubs
Lansing; Howell; Brighton; St. Johns
FEC Finance Context
Where available, candidate panels reflect the latest visible FEC report, most recently the filing due April 15, 2026, covering activity through March 31, 2026.
Despite being held by a Democrat, this district possesses a slight Republican PVI advantage (R+1). It is a prime offensive target for the GOP to flip back in 2026.
MI-08 covers Flint and the Tri-Cities. Despite a slight Republican lean in the PVI (R+1), Democrats have held the seat, winning by ~7 points in 2024.
Geography
Central Michigan seat anchored on Flint and the Tri-Cities region.
Stats
Pop 769,318 | Med age 41.8 | Med HH inc ~$61k
Race / ethnicity
White 73.4 | Black 14.9 | Hisp 5.4 | Asian 1.1 | 2+ 4.6
Key hubs
Flint; Saginaw; Bay City; Midland
FEC Finance Context
Where available, candidate panels reflect the latest visible FEC report, most recently the filing due April 15, 2026, covering activity through March 31, 2026.
Republican-held seat · Solid R (R+16) · 1 Republican candidate
View race file
District Brief
MI-09 is a safe Republican stronghold (R+16) covering the Thumb and exurban Detroit. McClain won by over 37 points in 2024.
Geography
Thumb + northern-edge Metro Detroit exurbs.
Stats
Pop 782,471 | Med age 44.1 | Med HH inc ~$87k
Race / ethnicity
White 87.9 | 2+ 4.1 | Hisp 3.9 | Black 2.2 | Asian 1.3
Key hubs
Port Huron; Oxford; Chesterfield Township
FEC Finance Context
Where available, candidate panels reflect the latest visible FEC report, most recently the filing due April 15, 2026, covering activity through March 31, 2026.
Status notes: Wyatt Clark is not active on the May 28 official candidate listing.
District 10
MI-10 — Open Seat (John James running for governor)
Republican-held open seat · Lean R (R+3) · 4 Republican candidates
View race file
Race Brief
General Election Threat Level: High
With John James vacating the seat to run for Governor, this Macomb-centered Lean-R battleground becomes one of the most highly contested open House seats in the country. As of May 31, 2026, the official candidate listing shows four active Republicans, led organizationally by Robert Lulgjuraj and Michael Bouchard.
MI-10 is a Macomb-centered suburban battleground with a smaller Oakland County extension. Cook rates it Lean R (R+3), and Democrats already have three active candidates with serious cash on hand.
Featured Companion
Read the full MI-10 Republican primary analysis
The companion analysis goes much deeper on the district map, the top-tier Republican campaigns, the broader field, endorsements, organization, messaging, and the latest March 31 FEC picture.
Suburban Detroit seat with a Macomb County core and a smaller Oakland County extension.
Stats
Pop 775,317 | Med age 40.7 | Med HH inc ~$74k
Race / ethnicity
White 72.8 | Black 13.3 | Asian 6.1 | Hisp 3.0 | 2+ 4.3
Key hubs
Warren; Sterling Heights; Clinton Township; Shelby Township
Casey Armitage filed a termination report on April 13, 2026 and is not on the current official candidate listing for the August 4, 2026 primary ballot.
FEC Finance Context
FEC figures in the candidate panels reflect the most recent reports due April 15, 2026, covering activity through March 31, 2026. The filing, withdrawal, and petition challenge deadlines have passed; the August 4, 2026 primary is the next election date.
Filed candidate and committee paperwork on February 27, 2026. He has a live campaign site and veteran profile, but he is too new for the same kind of quarterly financial read available for older entrants.
Status notes: Steven Elliott is not active on the May 28 official candidate listing. Cody Ingram is not active on the May 28 official candidate listing.
Democratic Opposition
Eric Chung (D)
Active candidate
Receipts$334,570.13
Cash$930,508.69
FEC snapshot Disbursements $121,149.56.
Tim Greimel (D)
Active candidate
Receipts$244,784.12
Cash$633,968.90
FEC snapshot Disbursements $91,133.16.
Christina Bertrand Hines (D)
Active candidate
Receipts$221,547.57
Cash$311,790.78
FEC snapshot Disbursements $168,175.13.
District 11
MI-11 — Open Seat (Haley Stevens running for U.S. Senate)
Democratic-held open seat · Solid D (D+9) · 1 Republican candidate
View race file
District Brief
MI-11 is a wealthy, suburban Oakland County district. It is Solid D (D+9), and Democrats won by ~19 points in 2024.
Geography
Oakland County suburban district (urbanized south-central Oakland under current lines).
Stats
Pop 787,210 | Med HH inc ~$93k
Race / ethnicity
White 68.3 | Black 12.9 | Asian 8.7 | Hisp 5.3 | 2+ 4.1
Key hubs
Troy; Pontiac; Royal Oak; Farmington Hills
FEC Finance Context
Where available, candidate panels reflect the latest visible FEC report, most recently the filing due April 15, 2026, covering activity through March 31, 2026.
Republican Primary Field
Ethan Baker (R)
Candidate
Status notes: Tony J. Prieto is marked DISQ on the May 28 official candidate listing. Mike Steger is not active on the May 28 official candidate listing. Anthony Paesano is not active on the May 28 official candidate listing.
Status notes: Stu Baker is marked DISQ on the May 28 official candidate listing. Michelle Mary Murphy is marked DISQ on the May 28 official candidate listing.
District 12
MI-12 — Incumbent: Rashida Tlaib (D)
Democratic-held seat · Solid D (D+21) · 1 Republican candidate
View race file
District Brief
MI-12 is a Deep Blue district (D+21) in Metro Detroit. Tlaib won by over 44 points in 2024.
Geography
Metro Detroit seat spanning major suburbs and part of Detroit.
Stats
Pop 740,559 | Med age 39.5 | Med HH inc ~$57k
Race / ethnicity
White 46.0 | Black 44.4 | Hisp 3.3 | Asian 1.8 | 2+ 3.8
Status notes: Martell D. Bivings is marked DISQ on the May 28 official candidate listing. Raphiel King is marked DISQ on the May 28 official candidate listing. Articia Bomer is not active on the May 28 official candidate listing. Andrew Lorenz is not active on the May 28 official candidate listing.
Democratic Primary Field
Shri Thanedar (D)
Incumbent
Donavan McKinney (D)
Challenger
Status notes: John Goci is marked DISQ on the May 28 official candidate listing. Mary Waters is marked DISQ on the May 28 official candidate listing. Shelby Campbell is not active on the May 28 official candidate listing. Anthony Carbonaro is not active on the May 28 official candidate listing. Nazmul Hassan is not active on the May 28 official candidate listing.
Process NotesData verified: May 31, 2026. Candidate fields were checked against the official Michigan candidate listing (610 Candidates as of Thu May 28 14:58:56 EDT); financial figures reflect the latest available FEC reports already used in each district file.
Historical record · June 1, 2026
Candidate activity, officeholding, endorsements and financial figures below retain their original reporting context. They do not describe the current field.
Michigan Republican Endorsement Convention
Republican endorsement convention · 2026
Delegates in Novi on March 28, 2026 selected the MIGOP-endorsed candidates for Attorney
General, Secretary of State, the Michigan Supreme Court, the State Board of Education, and
Michigan’s university governing boards.
Date March 28, 2026Location Novi, MichiganOffices 7Slate Verified June 1, 2026
Convention context
These are convention-selected statewide offices rather than August partisan-primary
contests. They appear here so the Republican Primaries page captures the full 2026
statewide Republican picture and the party’s endorsed slate.
Michigan Republican Party Chairman Jim Runestad addresses delegates at the MIGOP
Endorsement Convention in Novi on March 28, 2026.
Attorney General
Doug Lloyd
Eaton County Prosecuting Attorney
Lloyd emerged from the Novi convention as the MIGOP-endorsed candidate for Attorney
General, carrying decades of prosecutorial experience and a message centered on integrity,
public safety, and election-law enforcement.
Forlini received the convention endorsement for Secretary of State after making his case
around election-administration experience, service delivery, transparency, and restoring
trust in one of Michigan’s most visible statewide offices.
Explore the July 20, 2026 filing and campaign-status snapshot for the August 4 primary. Records include withdrawn and disqualified entries and do not describe the current field.
The governor section preserves its July 20 snapshot. The U.S. Senate and congressional sections preserve their May 31 snapshots. The endorsement section records the March convention with its June 1 verification date. Campaign sites and external records may change after those dates.
Sources remain beside the original claims. An archive layout update does not reverify every historical statement. Material corrections should be recorded separately from the original reporting dates.
Primary and general-election records remain distinct. The atlas and the November results dashboards document the later election; they do not replace this primary record.
Current legislative reference
The Michigan Legislature directory is maintained separately. Its current member listings are not a historical primary candidate roster.
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