4 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.
4 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.
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.
We found no published arguments for or against this candidate.
What we couldn’t verify
No published criticism of Ambrose by name could be found. Sources checked: 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.
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.
We found no published arguments for or against this candidate.
What we couldn’t verify
No published criticism of Moolenaar by name could be found. Sources checked: 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.
Green Party candidate for Michigan's 2nd District in the November 3, 2026 general election.
We found no published arguments for or against this candidate.
What we couldn’t verify
Magoon's biography and policy positions could not be established: no campaign website, candidate questionnaire or news profile was located. The positions list is left empty rather than filled with guesses.
No published criticism of Magoon by name could be found, and no published case for this candidacy beyond the ballot listing.
Natural Law Party candidate for Michigan's 2nd District in the November 3, 2026 general election.
We found no published arguments for or against this candidate.
What we couldn’t verify
Sills's biography and policy positions could not be established: no campaign website, candidate questionnaire or news profile was located. The positions list is left empty rather than filled with guesses.
No published criticism of Sills by name could be found, and no published case for this candidacy beyond the ballot listing.
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. Green Party candidate Charlotte Magoon and Natural Law Party candidate Richard Sills are also on the ballot, per the Michigan Bureau of Elections' general election candidate listing. None of the four candidates is shown with arguments for or against: no published criticism of any of them by name from someone opposing them could be found, and presenting a case for one side only would tilt the page. Candidates are listed in the order of the Michigan Bureau of Elections' general election candidate listing.
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.