Who's running in Michigan's 1st congressional district
7 candidates are on the ballot. Below is what each one says they stand for, what they have actually done in office or in public life, and the arguments published for and against them — each quoted from a named source rather than summarised by us.
7 candidates · ballot order · Jack Bergman currently holds this seat
Medium confidenceMedium confidenceThe candidate's stated positions and basic record are documented, but coverage is thin — often little independent reporting, or criticism from only one side.What would raise it: More independent reporting, a documented voting record, or published criticism from a named opponent would raise this.
What they say they stand for
Their own words. Claims, not verified facts.
Veterans' affairs and defence policy, drawing on his Marine Corps career.
The Republican legislative agenda in Congress.
Timber, mining and resource industries in the Upper Peninsula.
Border security and immigration enforcement.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
U.S. Representative for the 1st District since January 2017; re-elected in 2024 with 59.1%.
Retired lieutenant general in the U.S. Marine Corps; commercial airline pilot for more than twenty years.
Endorsed by President Trump.
Received a $290,000 contribution from a California megadonor who had been pardoned by President Trump, reported in March 2026.
Declined invitations to a dozen public candidate forums during the campaign, as did his Democratic opponent.
Arguments in favor
President Trump endorsed his re-election, and he beat the same opponent by more than 100,000 votes two years ago.
— President Donald Trump
Arguments against
His campaign is being funded in part by a $290,000 cheque from a California megadonor who had received a presidential pardon — money local reporting described as controversial.
— Reporting by MyUPNow, March 2026
An ethics complaint alleges his top aides ran a political consulting firm on the side while evading financial disclosure requirements, following investigative reporting by the Detroit News. His Democratic opponent also says his decisions have priced people out of health care and cut hospital funding.
— The ethics complaint reported after Detroit News investigative reporting; Callie Barr
What we couldn’t verify
The outcome of the ethics complaint about his aides was not established from sources read, and Bergman's response was not located.
The pardoned donor was not named in the summary read here, and the legality of the contribution was not in question — the criticism concerns its source.
Both he and his opponent skipped a dozen public forums, and the two campaigns traded accusations about it.
Health care costs and rural hospital funding, which she says have suffered under the incumbent.
Military families and veterans, the community she has advocated for.
Reproductive rights; she is endorsed by Reproductive Freedom for All.
Labour rights; she is endorsed by the Michigan AFL-CIO.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Attorney in Traverse City; former high school teacher and advocate for military families.
Democratic nominee for this district in 2024; lost to Jack Bergman 38% to 59%.
Won the August 4, 2026 Democratic primary.
Endorsed by Pete Buttigieg, former Rep. Bart Stupak, the Michigan AFL-CIO, EMILYs List, Reproductive Freedom for All and VoteVets.
Declined invitations to a dozen public candidate forums during the campaign, as did the incumbent.
Arguments in favor
A former transportation secretary and the district's last Democratic congressman endorsed her, alongside state labour and national women's and veterans' organisations.
— Pete Buttigieg; former Rep. Bart Stupak; Michigan AFL-CIO, EMILYs List, Reproductive Freedom for All and VoteVets
Arguments against
She declined invitations to a dozen public candidate forums, as did her opponent, and local reporting said the absences set off a war of words between the two campaigns.
— Reporting by MyUPNow, March 2026
What we couldn’t verify
Her campaign's explanation for skipping the forums was not established from sources read.
No National Republican Congressional Committee material naming Barr for the 2026 cycle could be found.
Her 2026 fundraising was not established from sources read; she lost by more than 100,000 votes in 2024.
Libertarian candidate for Michigan's 1st District in the November 3, 2026 general election.
Arguments in favor
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
Arguments against
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
What we couldn’t verify
Satterla's biography and policy positions could not be established: no campaign website, candidate questionnaire or news profile covering him was located. The standsFor list is left empty rather than filled with guesses.
No published criticism of Satterla by name could be found, and no published case for him beyond the ballot listing.
Fundraising was not established from sources read.
Constitution Party candidate for Michigan's 1st District in the November 3, 2026 general election.
Arguments in favor
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
Arguments against
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
What we couldn’t verify
Kovaly's biography and policy positions could not be established: no campaign website, candidate questionnaire or news profile covering him was located. The standsFor list is left empty rather than filled with guesses.
No published criticism of Kovaly by name could be found, and no published case for him beyond the ballot listing.
Fundraising was not established from sources read.
Green Party candidate for Michigan's 1st District in the November 3, 2026 general election.
Arguments in favor
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
Arguments against
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
What we couldn’t verify
Davenport's biography and policy positions could not be established: no campaign website, candidate questionnaire or news profile covering her was located. The standsFor list is left empty rather than filled with guesses.
No published criticism of Davenport by name could be found, and no published case for her beyond the ballot listing.
Fundraising was not established from sources read.
Working Class Party candidate for Michigan's 1st District in the November 3, 2026 general election.
Arguments in favor
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
Arguments against
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
What we couldn’t verify
Hakola's biography and policy positions could not be established: no campaign website, candidate questionnaire or news profile covering her was located. The standsFor list is left empty rather than filled with guesses.
No published criticism of Hakola by name could be found, and no published case for her beyond the ballot listing.
Fundraising was not established from sources read.
Independent candidate for Michigan's 1st District in the November 3, 2026 general election.
Arguments in favor
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
Arguments against
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
What we couldn’t verify
Featherly's biography and policy positions could not be established: no campaign website, candidate questionnaire or news profile covering him was located. The standsFor list is left empty rather than filled with guesses.
No published criticism of Featherly by name could be found, and no published case for him beyond the ballot listing.
Fundraising was not established from sources read.
Positions and criticism are quoted from the named sources, not our assessments. This is built to help you start getting informed — confirm the official candidate list with your election authority before you vote.
Michigan held its primary on August 4, 2026. This is a rematch: Republican incumbent Jack Bergman beat Democrat Callie Barr 59% to 38% in 2024, and both won their primaries again. Five minor-party and independent candidates are also on the November ballot. The district covers the Upper Peninsula and the northern Lower Peninsula, including Traverse City and Alpena. Roster confirmed against Ballotpedia and 9&10 News and Spectrum News reporting. No published criticism of the five minor candidates by name could be found, so their entries carry no arguments in either column.
This is one contest on a longer ballot
A Michigan ballot also carries state legislative districts, county offices, judicial seats and often local questions — and which of them you vote on is decided by your street address, not your city or ZIP code.