Michigan is one of the most closely watched states in this year’s midterms. The state has a very competitive, high-profile US Senate race, and 3 potentially competitive US House races.
In the Senate: Potential progressive rising star AES
Michigan’s Senate race is for an open Democratic seat in a state Trump won — an obvious Republican target. Yet Democrats have a history of winning Senate elections in Michigan.
Currently the race is a toss-up.
Abdul El-Sayed, the Democratic candidate, is a doctor and a Rhodes Scholar. His campaign emphasizes economic issues, healthcare, and progressive policies. He is, eloquent, persuasive, and considerably more progressive than the typical Michigan Democratic Senate candidate. (To dig in, see What Does Abdul El-Sayed Believe?, Ezra Klein’s discussion with the candidate on The Ezra Klein Show.)
El-Sayed’s opponent, Mike Rogers, is an election denier and Trump ally.
Rogers seeks to rebuild the coalition that almost got him into the Senate in 2024 after he moved back to Michigan from Florida to run. (Rogers lost in 2024 to Michigan’s Senior Senator, Democrat Elissa Slotkin.) Rogers says he will advocate for tariffs, tax relief, education reform, and affordable housing.
Key in this race is what Michigan’s large Jewish community will do. Rogers, who has extensive ties to AIPAC and supports continued military aid to Israel, has attacked El-Sayed, claiming, “He’s beyond antisemitic. He hates Jewish people.”
El-Sayed, who is critical of the current government in Israel and advocates for cutting off military aid, has stated that the Jewish people are “a light onto the world” and points out domestic values, such as support for local schools, healthcare, and civil rights.
Both Senate candidates vow to fight antisemitism.
In the House: MI-7, MI-10, MI-4
Michigan has two clearly competitive U.S. House races in 2026: MI-7 and MI-10. A third, MI-8, while a stretch for Democrats, is also in play.
MI-7: William Lawrence (D) vs. incumbent Tom Barrett (R)
This may be the most interesting Michigan House race. The district is centered on Lansing. Trump carried it 49.9%–48.6% in 2024, while Barrett won his House race 50.3%–46.6%. The Cook Political Report currently rates MI-7 a toss up.
- Lawrence is a Lansing-area organizer and co-founder of the Sunrise Movement. His campaign emphasizes pocketbook issues like the cost of living and Social Security. He also emphasizes his opposition to local data center development, which has made him attractive to some conservative and independent voters.
- Barrett is an Army veteran and former Michigan state senator; first elected to Congress in 2024.
MI-10 — Christina Hines (D) vs. Michael Bouchard (R)
This seat is open because Republican John James is running for governor. The district is in suburban Detroit. Cook moved MI-10 from Lean Republican to Toss Up after the August primary.
- Hines, “a Mom on a Mission,” is a former prosecutor who is running on improving healthcare (the ACA, Medicare, and Medicaid), and government ethics reform.
- Bouchard is an Army veteran who has Trump’s endorsement and who emphasizes immigration, parental rights, and completing the southern border wall.
MI-4 — Sean McCann (D) vs. incumbent Bill Huizenga (R)
The district covers much of southwestern Michigan. Cook currently rates it Lean Republican, but Democrats believe they can flip this seat.
- McCann is a Kalamazoo-area state senator who has served in the Michigan Legislature for more than a decade and previously served on the Kalamazoo City Commission. His campaign issues include affordability, healthcare, energy costs, protecting the environment, and safeguarding democracy.
- Huizenga has represented the area in Congress since 2011. He won reelection in 2024 by roughly 12-points. His congressional background includes service on Financial Services and Foreign Affairs committees, among other assignments.