U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman, R-Watersmeet

MARQUETTE — With candidates announcing their intention to run to represent Michigan’s First Congressional District in Washington D.C., incumbent candidate U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman, R-Watersmeet, will once again be running to represent the people of the district.

The First Congressional District covers all 15 counties in the Upper Peninsula and 20 counties in the northern Lower Peninsula. Bergman, a retired U.S. Marine Corps lieutenant general, has served the district since 2017.

The work ahead in Congress has heavily influenced Rep. Bergman’s decision to run for re-election in 2026, a top aide said.

“General Bergman has a proven record of delivering real results for the people of Michigan’s First District. He remains deeply committed to the mission he started in Washington: fighting every day to make our state and nation stronger, safer, and more prosperous,” said James Hogge, Rep. Bergman’s communications director, in an email to the Mining Journal. “With President Trump’s leadership in the White House, the general believes the work ahead is more important than ever to ensure we leave a freer, more secure America to our children and grandchildren.”

When it comes to Bergman’s campaign strategy this time around, Hogge explained that Bergman will continue to stand behind the message that the results the Congressman has delivered for the 1st Congressional District speak for themselves.

“It’s simple. The people of Michigan’s First District sent Congressman Bergman to Washington in a landslide because they were tired of broken promises, career politicians and the D.C. double-talk. Washington doesn’t need any more second-rate lawyers, weak negotiators, or smooth-talking politicians. They wanted a fighter, and that’s exactly what they got,” explained Hogge. “The Congressman has fought to support our veterans, end inflation, cut taxes on tips and Social Security, rebuild our military, stand strong for our Second Amendment rights, support President Trump’s agenda, secure our borders, and had gone to bat for the hardworking men and women who call the U.P. and Northern Michigan home. Despite the negative and nasty campaigns waged against him last year, the people sent him to Washington by a vote margin of over 100,000. Our campaign is staying exactly on message – the proven results that Congressman Bergman has delivered for his District speak for themselves.”

Hogge said that Rep. Bergman, if reelected, will continue to advocate for the people of Michigan’s First Congressional District by delivering real results by cutting through the bureaucracy of the federal government and working for the people.

“On top of meeting with thousands and thousands of constituents both here in the District and when they visit our Washington D.C. office, over the past two years, General Bergman’s office has recovered $38 million for constituents of the First District – money that was rightfully owed to them by federal agencies like the VA, IRS, and Social Security, but delayed due to government red tape,” Hogge said. “If you’re looking for a show pony who acts and talks like a typical politician, Jack Bergman isn’t your guy. But if you want a workhorse who cuts through the noise, gets the job done, and delivers real results, that’s exactly what you’ll keep getting with General Bergman.”

The main message of Bergman’s campaign this time around is continuing to deliver on promises he’s made to the people of the district, drawing on his experience and his understanding of the district’s needs.

“The Congressman has a proven track record of working together to get the job done and will continue doing so in the future. Drawing on his life experiences – not only as a small business owner, combat veteran and airline pilot, but as a father, and grandfather – Congressman Bergman understands the needs of the First District and has shown that through his votes and actions,” said Hogge. “Now isn’t the time to let our foot off the gas. We have a lot of work left to do to continue keeping our promises to the American people.”

The Mining Journal will continue to cover the 1st Congressional District Race as it continues into 2026. For more information on Representative Bergman and his 2026 campaign, please visit his website at bergmanforcongress.com. Information on Bergman’s work in the House of Representatives can be found online at bergman.house.gov.

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