Who's running in Michigan's 12th congressional district
2 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.
2 candidates · ballot order · Rashida Tlaib 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.
Ending U.S. military aid to Israel and opposing the war in Gaza.
Environmental justice in Detroit and Dearborn, where she has campaigned on industrial pollution.
Labour rights; she is endorsed by the Michigan AFL-CIO and the Michigan Education Association.
Removing corporate money from politics; she is endorsed by End Citizens United and Justice Democrats.
Civil rights for Arab American and Muslim constituents; she is endorsed by CAIR Action and Emgage Action.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
U.S. Representative since January 2019; re-elected in 2024 with 69.7%.
Former Michigan state representative and legal aid lawyer; the first Palestinian American woman elected to Congress.
Censured by the House in November 2023 over her statements about Israel and Gaza, one of a handful of members censured in the modern era.
Won the August 4, 2026 Democratic primary with 68% against Shanelle Jackson and Byron Nolen.
Arguments in favor
State labour and teachers' organisations endorsed her, alongside the national progressive groups that have backed her since her first campaign.
— Michigan AFL-CIO, Michigan Education Association, Justice Democrats, End Citizens United and the Democratic Socialists of America
The main Arab American and Muslim civic organisations endorsed her, in the district with the largest Arab American population in the country, and she took more than two-thirds of the primary vote against two challengers.
— CAIR Action and Emgage Action
Arguments against
The House censured her in November 2023 over her statements about Israel and Gaza, with supporters of the resolution saying her use of the phrase "from the river to the sea" promoted antisemitic messaging. She rejected that reading, describing the phrase as an aspirational call for freedom and coexistence rather than a call to violence.
— The House censure resolution of November 2023 and the members who supported it
A former Democratic state representative ran against her in the primary and took about a quarter of the vote, arguing the district needs a member who delivers more for Detroit.
— Shanelle Jackson, her 2026 Democratic primary opponent, reported by WDET
What we couldn’t verify
The censure resolution's characterisation of her language is contested; her own explanation is recorded above alongside it.
Jackson's specific case against Tlaib is summarised from WDET's report rather than quoted; the fuller argument was not retrieved.
No National Republican Congressional Committee material naming Tlaib for the 2026 cycle could be found, and no criticism of her from James Hooper's campaign was located.
Unopposed for the Republican nomination in the August 4, 2026 primary.
Has not held elected office.
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
Hooper'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 Hooper by name could be found. Searched: his name with 'criticism', against Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee material, against Rashida Tlaib's campaign, and against Detroit News, CBS Detroit, WDET and Michigan Advance coverage.
His fundraising was not established from sources read; the district voted Democratic by nearly forty points in 2024.
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. Democratic incumbent Rashida Tlaib won renomination with 68% against former state representative Shanelle Jackson on 23.9% and Byron Nolen on 8.1%; Republican James Hooper was unopposed. The district covers northern Wayne County including Dearborn and Southfield and part of Detroit, and has the largest Arab American population of any congressional district in the country. Roster confirmed against Ballotpedia and CBS Detroit and WDET reporting. Criticism of Hooper by name could not be found, so his entry carries 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.