Back in 2024, GOP Representative Jack Bergman was re-elected to serve Michigan’s First Congressional District, emerging victorious over Callie Barr, the Democratic runner, by over 21 points and over 100,000 votes.

The next election cycle in 2026 will see Bergman and Barr’s return to the ballots in August, as well as two new candidates: Republican Justin Michal and Democrat Wayne Stiles.

Michal, who was raised in the town of Grayling downstate, started his professional career by serving in the U.S. Army. Following his retirement from the military, Michal’s work focused on veteran advocacy, and his academic research has influenced systemic change in housing allowances for student veterans.

Bergman’s focus in Congress has also been on veterans’ issues, and he is a retired lieutenant general from the U.S. Marine Corps. He currently serves on the Armed Services, Budget, and Veterans’ Affairs committees. A five-term incumbent, Bergman has hinted about his intentions to run for re-election next year.

Jack Bergman

Wayne Stiles, a newcomer to the Democratic runners for next year, is focusing his platform on working families and community service, as well as advocating for the marginalized. A resident of Traverse City, Stiles is the son of union workers, and will face off against Barr on the Democratic side of the 2026 ballot.

Barr, a downstate attorney for Jones Day, is running for the party’s nomination for a second time after her defeat under Bergman in 2024, where she received 37.9% of the vote. Her platform is focused on collaboration and addressing issues that help the people by putting them first.

Candidates are aiming to engage voters of a district historically showing strong Republican support, and will continue to build and define their platforms as election time approaches. They have just under a year to gather signatures for nomination petitions, and additional candidates may enter the race until late spring of 2026. More information about each individual candidate can be found on their respective websites, listed here:

• bergman.house.gov

• callieforcongress.com

Justin Michal

• justinmichalforcongress.com

• wayne-stiles.com

The Mining Journal plans additional interviews with candidates in the future to provide more in-depth coverage of their platforms and viewpoints.

Abby LaForest can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 548. Her email address is alaforest@miningjournal.net.

Wayne Stiles