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Ballot Explained

U.S. House · November 3, 2026

Who's running in Michigan's 2nd 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.

Candidates
2
Incumbent
John Moolenaar
Parties
Republican · Democratic
State primary
Aug 4

Candidates appear in ballot order. We do not rank them, score them, or recommend one — here is how this is put together, and here is what the office actually does.

2 candidates · ballot order · John Moolenaar 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.

  • Countering the Chinese Communist Party, as chairman of the House select committee on that subject.
  • Delisting Chinese companies he says pose national security and investor risks from U.S. stock exchanges.
  • Restricting American investment in Chinese biotechnology companies.
  • Support for Israel; he is endorsed by AIPAC.
  • Manufacturing and agriculture in central Michigan.

What they’ve actually done

Documented record from official sources.

  • U.S. Representative for the 2nd District since January 2015; re-elected in 2024 with 65.1%.
  • Chairman of the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party.
  • Led the opposition to the Chinese-linked Gotion battery plant proposed in Michigan.
  • Former chemist and Michigan state legislator from Midland.
  • Unopposed for the Republican nomination in the August 4, 2026 primary; endorsed by President Trump.

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

  • No published criticism of Moolenaar by name could be found. Searched: his name with 'criticism' and with 'stock trades' and 'conflict of interest' relating to his China committee chairmanship, against Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee material, against Ben Ambrose's campaign, and against Detroit News, MLive, WCMU and Bridge Michigan coverage. Because no case against him exists on the record, no case for him is presented either, rather than showing his own side's case unanswered.
  • He is endorsed by President Trump and AIPAC; those endorsements are recorded here rather than presented as a one-sided argument.
  • No campaign website for him could be located; the link given is his official House site.
Their campaign site ↗Sources:moolenaar.house.govchinaselectcommittee.house.govshorelinemedia.netballotpedia.org

What they say they stand for

Their own words. Claims, not verified facts.

  • Lowering costs for families.
  • Expanding access to health care.
  • Supporting veterans, drawing on his Marine Corps service.
  • Strengthening public education.
  • Increasing government accountability, drawing on his time as a federal employee.

What they’ve actually done

Documented record from official sources.

  • Marine Corps veteran and former federal employee; lives in Hesperia.
  • Won the August 4, 2026 Democratic primary with 42.3%, about two points ahead of Jamie Hill.
  • Endorsed by the Detroit News in the Democratic primary and by United Food and Commercial Workers Local 951.
  • 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

  • No published criticism of Ambrose by name could be found. Searched: his name with 'criticism', with 'opponent', against National Republican Congressional Committee material, against John Moolenaar's campaign, and against WCMU, WZZM, MLive and Detroit News coverage. Because no case against him exists on the record, no case for him is presented either.
  • No campaign website for him could be located.
  • His fundraising was not established from sources read; the district voted Republican by thirty points in 2024.
Sources:wcmu.orgwzzm13.comsmarter.voteen.wikipedia.org

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. Republican incumbent John Moolenaar was unopposed for renomination; Democrat Ben Ambrose beat Jamie Hill by about two points. The district covers most of central Michigan and part of the outer Grand Rapids area. Roster confirmed against Ballotpedia and WCMU and WZZM reporting. Neither candidate is shown with arguments for or against: no published criticism of either by name from someone opposing them could be found, and presenting a case for one side only would tilt the page.

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.

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