Who's running in Michigan's 3rd 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 · Hillary Scholten 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.
Immigration policy, drawing on her work as a Justice Department immigration lawyer.
Support for Israel alongside a negotiated settlement; she is endorsed by both AIPAC and J Street.
Public education funding; she is endorsed by the Michigan Education Association.
Labour rights; she is endorsed by the Michigan AFL-CIO.
Economic development in Grand Rapids and Muskegon.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
U.S. Representative for the 3rd District since January 2023; re-elected in 2024 with 53.7%.
Former social worker and immigration attorney at the U.S. Department of Justice.
Voted for the Laken Riley Act in early 2025, which expanded federal immigration detention and deportation authority.
Unopposed for the Democratic nomination in the August 4, 2026 primary.
Arguments in favor
State labour and teachers' organisations endorsed her, alongside an unusual combination of pro-Israel and Middle East diplomacy groups.
— Michigan AFL-CIO, Michigan Education Association, AIPAC, J Street, Democratic Majority for Israel and the Jewish Democratic Council of America
The Black Economic Alliance PAC and the Joint Action Committee for Political Affairs also endorsed her, which her campaign presents as a coalition wide enough to hold a district that had been Republican for decades.
— Black Economic Alliance PAC and the Joint Action Committee for Political Affairs
Arguments against
She drew scrutiny in early 2025 for voting for the Laken Riley Act, which expanded federal immigration detention and deportation authority — a vote at odds with her own background as an immigration lawyer.
— Criticism reported in coverage of the vote
What we couldn’t verify
The Laken Riley criticism is reported in general terms rather than attributed to a specific named group; her own explanation of the vote was not located.
No National Republican Congressional Committee material naming Scholten for the 2026 cycle could be found, and no criticism of her from Terri DeBoer's campaign was located.
No campaign website for her could be located; the link given is her official House site.
An outsider approach to Washington, the framing of her campaign.
Small business policy, drawing on her own business.
Cost of living in West Michigan.
The Republican legislative agenda in Congress.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Television meteorologist in West Michigan for decades; small business owner.
Beat Ryan Cushman for the Republican nomination on August 4, 2026.
Endorsed by the Detroit News in the Republican primary.
More than 40% of her initial fundraising came from members and associates of the DeVos family, according to campaign finance disclosures.
Has not held elected office.
Arguments in favor
The state's largest conservative-leaning newspaper endorsed her in the Republican primary, and she starts with a level of name recognition unusual for a first-time candidate after decades on West Michigan television.
— The Detroit News editorial board; her campaign's outsider framing reported by Fox News
Arguments against
Her campaign finance disclosures showed more than 40% of her initial fundraising came directly from members and associates of the DeVos family, which critics say makes her the candidate of one wealthy West Michigan family rather than of the district.
— Campaign finance disclosures reported in coverage of the race
What we couldn’t verify
DeBoer's response to the DeVos fundraising criticism was not established from sources read.
The criticism is drawn from disclosure reporting rather than attributed to a specific named opponent or group.
Her detailed federal policy positions were 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. Democratic incumbent Hillary Scholten was unopposed for renomination; former television meteorologist Terri DeBoer beat Ryan Cushman for the Republican nomination. The district covers Grand Rapids, Muskegon and part of Ottawa County, and Scholten flipped it in 2022. Roster confirmed against Ballotpedia and WZZM and Heartland Signal reporting.
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.