Michigan Republican Primary

Michigan Republican Primary Wordmark Logo
Newsletter Signup

Michigan Republican Primaries

Prepare for the upcoming elections with our comprehensive guide to the 2026 Michigan Republican Primary. As voters get ready to head to the polls, this continuously updated directory serves as your central hub for tracking the active GOP candidates vying for Governor, the open U.S. Senate seat, and all 13 Congressional districts. Explore the interactive map and directories below to review verified campaign finance data, read official candidate biographies, and easily access state transparency filings so you can cut through the noise and make an informed decision on primary day.

Michigan Gubernatorial Republican Primary

Explore the active Republican candidates vying for the 2026 Michigan gubernatorial nomination. This directory provides verified campaign finances, official biographies, and direct links to state transparency filings to help voters track the race and make informed decisions.

2026 Michigan Republican Gubernatorial Primary Candidates

Primary: General: Last updated:

Active candidates at a glance

  • Mike Cox — Former Michigan Attorney General — Active campaign
  • John James — U.S. Representative — Active campaign
  • Aric Nesbitt — Michigan Senate Republican leader — Active campaign
  • Tom Leonard — Former Speaker of the Michigan House — Active campaign
  • Perry Johnson — Businessman — Active campaign
  • Ralph Rebandt — Pastor & Community Leader — Active campaign

How to Search for MiTN Campaign Filings

The Michigan Transparency Network (MiTN) is the official portal for campaign finance disclosure. To review a candidate's funding and expenditures:

  1. Click the MiTN Filings Portal.
  2. Log in as a public guest if prompted by the state system.
  3. Enter the candidate's exact Committee Name or MiTN ID (provided in the candidate dropdown above) into the search bar.
  4. Browse their "Contributions" and "Expenditures" reports.

Process notes: This directory is intended for informational use. Candidate status and committees will change. For the authoritative filing record, use the MiTN portal.

Michigan U.S. Senate Republican Primary

Review the active Republican candidates vying for Michigan’s open U.S. Senate seat in 2026. This directory provides verified Federal Election Commission (FEC) financial data, official campaign biographies, and direct links to help voters navigate the primary race and make informed decisions.

Candidate Directory

Primary: General:

Process notes: This directory is intended for informational use. Candidate status and financial totals are sourced from FEC Year-End reports filed January 31, 2026.

Michigan Congressional Races

Explore the active Republican candidates running across Michigan’s 13 congressional districts in the 2026 elections. Use the interactive map below to select a district, review verified Federal Election Commission (FEC) financial data, and track the primary races to help you make an informed decision.

Congressional Districts
Click a district to open the details below
Loading map…

MI-01 — Incumbent: Jack Bergman (R)

Seat: Republican-held | Cook: Solid R (R+11)
Republican Primary Field
  • Jack Bergman (R)
    Incumbent
    Raised: $1.0M
    Cash: $559k
  • Justin Michal (R)
    Challenger
    Raised: $37.9k
    Cash: $7.3k
  • Matthew DenOtter (R)
    Challenger
    No report available.
Democratic Opposition
  • Callie Barr (D)
    Raised: $184,594
    Cash: $116,345
  • Kyle Blomquist (D)
    Raised: $51,924
    Cash: $15,824
  • Wayne Stiles (D)
    Raised: $39,223
    Cash: $914
District Profile
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
Key hubs: Traverse City; Alpena; Marquette; Escanaba; Houghton

District: 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).

MI-02 — Incumbent: John Moolenaar (R)

Seat: Republican-held | Cook: Solid R (R+15)
Republican Primary Field
  • John Moolenaar (R)
    Incumbent
    Raised: $1.05M
    Cash: $1.69M
No identified primary challengers.
Democratic Opposition
  • Benjamin Ambrose (D)
    Raised: $31,511
    Cash: $20,636
  • Jamie Hill (D)
    Raised: $3,741
    Cash: $1,978
District Profile
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

District: 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).

MI-03 — Incumbent: Hillary Scholten (D)

Seat: Democratic-held | Cook: Likely D (D+4)
Republican Primary Field
  • J. Allen Fiorletta (R)
    Candidate
    No financial reports filed to date.
Democratic Incumbent
  • Hillary Scholten (D)
    Incumbent
District Profile
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
Key hubs: Grand Rapids; Muskegon; Grand Haven

District: 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.

MI-04 — Incumbent: Bill Huizenga (R)

Seat: Republican-held | Cook: Likely R (R+3)
Republican Primary Field
  • Bill Huizenga (R)
    Incumbent
    Raised: $2.36M
    Cash: $1.6M
Democratic Opposition
  • Sean McCann (D)
    State Senator
    Raised: $553,819
    Cash: $259,798
  • Jessica Swartz (D)
    Raised: $341,423
    Cash: $121,967
  • Diop Harris (D)
    Raised: $61,971
    Cash: $9,306
District Profile
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

District: MI-04 runs from the shoreline inland to Kalamazoo. It is Likely R (R+3), and Huizenga won by about 12 points in 2024.

MI-05 — Incumbent: Tim Walberg (R)

Seat: Republican-held | Cook: Solid R (R+13)
Republican Primary Field
  • Tim Walberg (R)
    Incumbent
    Raised: $1.21M
    Cash: $1.04M
District Profile
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

District: MI-05 spans the southern border counties. It is Solid R (R+13), and Walberg won by over 30 points in 2024.

MI-06 — Incumbent: Debbie Dingell (D)

Seat: Democratic-held | Cook: Solid D (D+12)
Republican Primary Field
No verified Republican candidates identified to date.
Democratic Incumbent
  • Debbie Dingell (D)
    Incumbent
District Profile
Geography: Southeast Michigan seat anchored in Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti and parts of Wayne County.
Stats: Pop 764,009 | Med age 39.6 | Med HH inc ~$90k
Race/ethnicity: White 69.1 | Asian 10.4 | Black 9.9 | Hisp 5.0 | 2+ 4.9
Key hubs: Ann Arbor; Canton; Plymouth; Trenton

District: MI-06 is an affluent, highly educated district centered on Ann Arbor and western Wayne County suburbs. It is Solid D (D+12).

MI-07 — Incumbent: Tom Barrett (R)

Seat: Republican-held | Cook: Toss Up (Even)
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.
Republican Primary Field
  • Tom Barrett (R)
    Incumbent
    Raised: $3.48M
    Cash: $2.20M
Democratic Opposition
  • Bridget Brink (D)
    Recruit / Challenger
  • Matt Maasdam (D)
    Recruit / Challenger
  • William Lawrence (D)
    Recruit / Challenger
District Profile
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

District: 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%.

MI-08 — Incumbent: Kristen McDonald Rivet (D)

Seat: Democratic-held | Cook: Lean D (R+1 PVI)
Offensive Target Opportunity 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.
Republican Primary Field
  • Amir Hassan (R)
    Challenger
    Raised: $250k
    Cash: $65k
Democratic Incumbent
  • Kristen McDonald Rivet (D)
    Incumbent
District Profile
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

District: 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.

MI-09 — Incumbent: Lisa McClain (R)

Seat: Republican-held | Cook: Solid R (R+16)
Republican Primary Field
  • Lisa McClain (R)
    Incumbent
    Raised: $3.38M
    Cash: $1.58M
District Profile
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

District: MI-09 is a safe Republican stronghold (R+16) covering the Thumb and exurban Detroit. McClain won by over 37 points in 2024.

MI-10 — Open Seat

Seat: Republican-held; OPEN | Cook: Lean R (R+3)
General Election Threat Level: HIGH (Open Seat) With John James vacating the seat to run for Governor, this suburban Lean-R battleground immediately becomes one of the most highly contested open seats in the country. Democrats are targeting it heavily.
Republican Primary Field
  • Robert Lulgjuraj (R)
    Candidate
    Raised: $1.0M
    Cash: $765k
  • Michael Bouchard (R)
    Candidate
    Raised: $551k
    Cash: $520k
  • Justin Kirk (R)
    Candidate
    Raised: $322k
    Cash: $308k
  • Casey Armitage (R)
    Candidate
    Raised: $3.8k
    Cash: $258
  • Steven Elliott (R)
    Candidate
    Raised: $47.8k
    Cash: $20.5k
  • Cody Ingram (R)
    Candidate
    Filed (No Year-End Report)
Democratic Opposition
  • Christina Bertrand Hines (D)
    Challenger
District Profile
Geography: Suburban Detroit seat based primarily in Macomb County with an eastern 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; Rochester Hills

District: MI-10 is a suburban battleground. Cook rates it Lean R (R+3).

MI-11 — Open Seat

Seat: Democratic-held; OPEN | Cook: Solid D (D+9)
Republican Primary Field
  • Mike Steger (R)
    Candidate
    Raised: $27.3k
    Cash: $18.0k
  • Antonio J. Prieto (R)
    Candidate
    Filed (No Report)
  • Anthony Paesano (R)
    Candidate
    Filed (No Year-End Report)
District Profile
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

District: MI-11 is a wealthy, suburban Oakland County district. It is Solid D (D+9), and Democrats won by ~19 points in 2024.

MI-12 — Incumbent: Rashida Tlaib (D)

Seat: Democratic-held | Cook: Solid D (D+21)
Republican Primary Field
No verified Republican candidates identified.
Democratic Incumbent
  • Rashida Tlaib (D)
    Incumbent
District Profile
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
Key hubs: Southfield; Dearborn; Livonia

District: MI-12 is a Deep Blue district (D+21) in Metro Detroit. Tlaib won by over 44 points in 2024.

MI-13 — Incumbent: Shri Thanedar (D)

Seat: Democratic-held | Cook: Solid D (D+22)
Republican Primary Field
  • Articia Bomer (R)
    Candidate
    No report available.
  • Andrew Lorenz (R)
    Candidate
    No report available.
Democratic Incumbent
  • Shri Thanedar (D)
    Incumbent
District Profile
Geography: Wayne County-based district including portions of Detroit plus a dense ring of nearby municipalities.
Stats: Pop 773,276 | Med age 35.4 | Med HH inc ~$49k
Race/ethnicity: Black 45.3 | White 36.8 | Hisp 10.3 | Asian 2.9 | 2+ 4.0
Key hubs: Detroit; Taylor; Romulus; Grosse Pointe

District: MI-13 is the Detroit/Downriver seat. It is Solid D (D+22), and Thanedar won by over 44 points in 2024.

Process Notes

Data Verified: March 8, 2026. Financial figures reflect Year-End 2025 reports (filed Jan 31, 2026).

Qualified Candidates

Candidates must meet certian requirements to appear on the Michigan Primary ballot. See our petition manual for more information on how candidates can qualify. Candidates for Governor, U.S. Senate, and U.S. House must meet petition signature requirements.

Check the listing of qualified candidates.

View 2026 Qualified Candidates

Michigan GOP Endorsement Convention Candidates

Michigan GOP Chair Jim Runestad speaking at Michigan Republican Party Convention

Click for candidate bios and information about the Michigan Republican Endorsement Convention on March 28th.