Michigan’s 2nd Congressional District House Race 2026

A new Detroit News/WDIV-TV poll of 600 likely Michigan voters, conducted by the Glengariff Group Aug. 31-Sept. 3, found only 29% approve of President Trump's 50% tariffs on $20 billion of Canadian goods, including cement, wine, dairy and hockey sticks, while 64% disapprove. Opposition was strong among Democrats (93%) and independents (73%), with even a quarter of Republicans disapproving. About 62% said the tariffs hurt Michigan's economy, and 72% expect higher prices. Trump's approval among Michigan voters fell to 35%, the lowest recorded in either of his terms by this pollster.

The findings carry political weight ahead of November elections, with Republicans like Rep. Tom Barrett and Senate nominee Mike Rogers treading carefully—criticizing aspects of the trade dispute while avoiding direct attacks on Trump—as Democrats including Sen. Elissa Slotkin and gubernatorial nominee Jocelyn Benson use the tariffs' costs to attack GOP opponents. Business groups and voters interviewed cited rising consumer costs and strain on Michigan's auto, dairy, agriculture and tourism sectors tied to trade with Canada.

Republicans in Congress amplified Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy's criticism of Ford Motor Co. over its business dealings with Chinese firms. In a letter to CEO Jim Farley, Duffy raised "profound concern" over Ford's reliance on licensed battery technology from CATL, a Chinese company on the Pentagon's list of firms tied to China's military, at its Michigan plant. He also faulted Ford's decision to delay moving Lincoln Nautilus production from China to the U.S. until 2030. Sen. Rick Scott and Rep. John Moolenaar, chair of the House Select Committee on China, backed Duffy's stance, urging Ford to cut ties with Chinese partners including Geely and BYD.

Ford called the letter a "wrongheaded attempt to capture headlines," saying it controls the Michigan plant and its workforce. The Chinese embassy urged the U.S. to avoid politicizing business cooperation. The dispute comes as Congress pushes to tighten a ban on Chinese vehicles and ahead of a planned Trump-Xi meeting.

Saginaw Mayor Brenda Moore has been awarded the Honorary Life Membership Award, the Michigan Municipal League's highest distinction, presented at the league's 2026 Fall Conference in Traverse City. First awarded in 1932, the honor recognizes individuals with a record of extraordinary service to the league and to local government.

Moore has been active in the league since joining the Saginaw City Council in 2013, later serving as president of its Board of Trustees, chair of the Elected Officials Academy, and chair of the Municipal Finance Committee. She completed all four tiers of the league's Elected Officials Academy program. Moore became mayor pro tem in 2018 and was elected mayor by her council colleagues in 2020. She currently leads the Michigan Association of Mayors and the Michigan Black Caucus of Local Elected Officials. City Manager Tim Morales praised her longstanding commitment to public service following the announcement.

Muskegon Heights officials are aiming to hire a full-time city manager by the end of 2025 as the city confronts a projected $5.3 million budget deficit. Police Chief Maurice Sain has been serving as acting city manager since a federal raid on city hall in late July, but has indicated he does not plan to stay in the role long-term.

The position became vacant after the council fired interim manager Pearlette Merriweather, who had flagged a $2.5 million to $2.9 million deficit, and then fired her replacement, Fire Chief Shawnderick Roberson, following felony drug trafficking charges connected to the federal investigation. Council members have sparred over process, with one proposing a search firm and formal application parameters, and others pushing for faster action given interest from at least three candidates. A Dec. 31 deadline has been floated for hiring and onboarding. The city must also submit a state-mandated deficit elimination plan and adopt a 2027 budget by year's end to preserve its short-term borrowing ability.

The Muskegon City Commission has approved a resolution accepting a $730,200 grant from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources to acquire several acres of waterfront land adjacent to Hartshorn Park and Launch Ramp. The property includes greenspace and a driveway running west from the marina along the shoreline to Fricano's Pizza.

The city has until July 2028 to complete the purchase. The grant requires a local match, expected to come from a land donation by the current property owner, though that owner has not yet formally agreed to the terms; if the donation doesn't materialize, the city could owe roughly $243,400. Staff are now proceeding with a Phase 1 environmental survey and reappraisal, which could adjust the grant amount. City officials, including the mayor, called the potential expansion a boost for public waterfront access. Separately, the city is working with Progressive Companies on Third Street Wharf, a new waterfront park near the Shoreline Inn, with a public engagement event planned for Oct. 20.

Bradley S. Knoll, a former Holland, Michigan judge, has been sentenced to fines and costs after pleading to misdemeanor assault and battery stemming from a Feb. 13 courtroom incident. During a landlord-tenant dispute, Knoll became frustrated with a defendant who was loud, interrupted others and did not follow courtroom procedure. He threw three self-inking stamps from the bench, one of which struck the defendant, though no injury resulted. Knoll later told investigators he "snapped" and wasn't thinking "lawyerly" in the moment, and he wrote a letter of apology to the defendant and the investigating detective.

Knoll was sentenced Tuesday, Sept. 29, before Muskegon District Judge Geoffrey Nolan. This was not his first brush with legal trouble: he was investigated and charged in a misdemeanor domestic violence case in late 2023, later completing probation under a first-offender program. A state Supreme Court consent order issued in March, citing negative publicity for the judiciary, prompted his early retirement from the 58th District Court bench.

Republican U.S. House candidate Michael Bouchard released his first general election video ad, "Jump," in which the former Army paratrooper leaps from a plane while pledging to fight socialism if elected to represent Michigan's 10th District. The Rochester Hills candidate's campaign says the ad is part of a seven-figure television and social media push, funded entirely with campaign money, in a race political handicappers rate as a toss-up.

Bouchard will face Democratic nominee Christina Hines, a former Wayne County special victims prosecutor, in November. The winner succeeds GOP Rep. John James, who is running for Michigan governor instead of seeking reelection. The 10th District covers southern Macomb County and Rochester/Rochester Hills in Oakland County.

The ad is set to air during major sports broadcasts and prime programming, with some slots costing tens of thousands of dollars. Bouchard holds an early fundraising edge, reporting roughly $960,000 on hand versus Hines's approximately $160,000, though her campaign has yet to release its first ad.

Federal emergency orders keeping the J.H. Campbell coal plant in west Michigan running have emerged as a campaign issue in the state's 4th District U.S. House race. Energy Secretary Chris Wright has repeatedly extended 90-day directives forcing the plant to stay open past its planned closure, citing electricity supply concerns, despite Consumers Energy's earlier deal with state officials to shut it down.

Democratic challenger Sean McCann is attacking GOP Rep. Bill Huizenga over the plant's continued operation, arguing it has raised Consumers Energy customers' bills by more than $200 million and pledging to push for its closure if elected. Huizenga counters that Michigan's clean-energy mandates, championed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Democrats including McCann, are driving up utility costs and threatening reliable power. Rep. Hillary Scholten joined McCann in criticizing the administration's intervention as an unprecedented move against a private utility's decision. The dispute reflects a broader national fight over fossil fuel plant closures versus renewable energy transitions, playing out in a district expected to be closely contested this November.

Republican House Speaker Matt Hall is seeking a fifth term representing Michigan's 42nd House District, facing Democratic challenger Nick Rowe, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel and aviation instructor at Western Michigan University. The district covers parts of Kalamazoo and Allegan counties, including Oshtemo Township, Galesburg and Parchment.

Hall, a constitutional attorney and former Michigan Attorney General's office staffer, ran unopposed in the GOP primary and touts education funding increases, property tax cuts, utility rate rollbacks and ending sanctuary city policies. Rowe, who defeated fellow Democrat Bill Korb with nearly 59% of the primary vote, backs higher teacher pay, expanded childcare and housing supply, grid modernization, and constitutional limits on immigration enforcement. The race, part of an MLive/League of Women Voters voter guide, reflects broader statewide battles over the Michigan House majority and could factor into prediction markets tracking state legislative control ahead of the next election cycle.

New Hampshire held primary elections Tuesday to pick nominees for Congress, governor and the state Legislature, with Sen. Jeanne Shaheen's retirement reshaping the ballot. Rep. Chris Pappas led a five-way Democratic Senate field that included progressive challenger Karishma Manzur, a research scientist and democratic socialist whose late surge, fueled by criticism of Pappas' pro-Israel donor support and his "present" vote on restricting arms sales to Israel, narrowed his once-commanding lead despite his large fundraising advantage and Shaheen's endorsement. On the Republican side, John Sununu, endorsed by President Trump over rival Scott Brown, held a wide edge among eight candidates; both Sununu and Brown are former senators previously defeated by Shaheen. The seat is one of a handful nationally that could help decide Senate control, with Democrats needing a net gain of four seats.

Pappas' departure from the 1st District opened a crowded race, with Stefany Shaheen (Jeanne Shaheen's daughter) and Maura Sullivan leading a nine-person Democratic field; Republicans chose among five candidates including Trump-endorsed businessman Anthony DiLorenzo and repeat candidate Hollie Noveletsky. In the 2nd District, Democratic Rep. Maggie Goodlander faced a primary challenge from state legislator Paige Beauchemin, while Republicans chose from candidates including repeat nominee Lily Tang Williams. Gov. Kelly Ayotte easily advanced toward a second term against two Republican rivals, favored against unopposed Democrat Cinde Warmington. Winners have eight weeks to campaign before the November 3 general election, as New Hampshire shifts future primaries to June starting in 2026.