6 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.
6 candidates · ballot order · Lisa McClain 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.
Nothing documented in the sources reviewed.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Won the August 4, 2026 Democratic primary for Michigan's 9th District.
Has not held elected office.
We found no published arguments for or against this candidate.
What we couldn’t verify
Pooley's detailed policy positions could not be established: no campaign website was located and the Oakland County Times candidate interview could not be retrieved in full. The positions list is left empty rather than filled with guesses.
No published criticism of Pooley by name could be found. Sources checked: his name with 'criticism', against National Republican Congressional Committee material, against Lisa McClain's campaign, and against Michigan Advance, Detroit News and Oakland County Times coverage.
His endorsements and fundraising were not established from sources read; the district voted Republican by more than thirty points in 2024.
The House Republican legislative and messaging agenda, as conference chair.
Support for Israel; she is endorsed by AIPAC.
Agriculture and manufacturing in the Thumb and the Detroit exurbs.
Border security and immigration enforcement.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
U.S. Representative since January 2021, for the 9th District since 2023; re-elected in 2024 with 66.8%.
Chair of the House Republican Conference, the fourth-ranking position in House Republican leadership.
Worked in financial services before entering politics.
Won the August 4, 2026 Republican primary.
We found no published arguments for or against this candidate.
What we couldn’t verify
No published criticism of McClain by name could be found. Sources checked: her name with 'criticism', against Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee material, against Ray Pooley's campaign, and against Detroit News, Michigan Advance, Oakland County Times and Times Herald coverage. Because no case against her exists on the record, no case for her is presented either, rather than showing her own side's case unanswered.
She is endorsed by AIPAC; that endorsement is recorded here rather than presented as a one-sided argument.
No campaign website for her could be located; the link given is her official House site.
Libertarian candidate for Michigan's 9th District in the November 3, 2026 general election.
We found no published arguments for or against this candidate.
What we couldn’t verify
Vayko's biography and policy positions could not be established: no campaign website, candidate questionnaire or news profile covering him was located.
No published criticism of Vayko by name could be found, and no published case for him beyond the ballot listing.
Fundraising was not established from sources read.
U.S. Taxpayers Party candidate for Michigan's 9th District in the November 3, 2026 general election.
We found no published arguments for or against this candidate.
What we couldn’t verify
Vlahos's biography and policy positions could not be established: no campaign website, candidate questionnaire or news profile covering him was located.
No published criticism of Vlahos 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 9th District in the November 3, 2026 general election.
We found no published arguments for or against this candidate.
What we couldn’t verify
Clayton's biography and policy positions could not be established: no campaign website, candidate questionnaire or news profile covering her was located.
No published criticism of Clayton 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 9th District in the November 3, 2026 general election.
We found no published arguments for or against this candidate.
What we couldn’t verify
Walkowicz's biography and policy positions could not be established: no campaign website, candidate questionnaire or news profile covering him was located.
No published criticism of Walkowicz 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. Republican incumbent Lisa McClain, who chairs the House Republican Conference, faces Democrat Ray Pooley. Four minor-party candidates are also on the ballot: Libertarian Kevin Vayko, U.S. Taxpayers Party candidate John Vlahos, Green Party candidate Destiny Clayton and Working Class Party candidate Jim Walkowicz. The district covers the Thumb region, Port Huron and the northern Detroit exurbs in Oakland and Macomb counties. Roster confirmed against the Michigan Bureau of Elections' general election candidate listing, Ballotpedia and the Michigan Advance voter guide. None of the candidates is shown with arguments for or against: no published criticism of any of them by name from someone opposing them could be found. 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.