Three Michigan House Races Remain Too Close to Call
On November 3, 2026, Michigan voters cast ballots in all 13 of the state’s U.S. House districts. Three contests were considered especially competitive, and election officials were still counting votes in the close races as of the latest update.
Republican Rep. Bill Huizenga faced state Sen. Sean McCann in the 4th District in southwest Michigan. Huizenga, first elected to the House in 2011, has won previous re-election campaigns handily. McCann has represented parts of the region in the state Legislature at different times since 2011. McCann’s campaign highlighted Huizenga’s connection to President Donald Trump, while Huizenga emphasized affordability and his work in Congress.
In the 7th District, first-term Republican Rep. Tom Barrett faced Democrat Will Lawrence in a politically competitive mid-Michigan district. Lawrence focused on prices, the Iran war and data centers, while Barrett criticized Lawrence’s past positions on policing and immigration. The 10th District race was open after Republican Rep. John James left to run for governor. Republican Michael Bouchard and Democrat Christina Hines competed for the seat, with Bouchard emphasizing border security, the military and tariffs, and Hines calling for lower health care costs and an end to tariffs.
Michigan’s House delegation entered election night with seven Republicans and six Democrats. In the 13th District, Democrat Donovan McKinney was expected to win after defeating incumbent Shri Thanedar in the primary.
Michigan’s Close House Races Put Trump’s Record on the Ballot
Three competitive Michigan House races offered voters a chance to challenge Republican incumbents and the policies associated with President Donald Trump. On November 3, 2026, all 13 congressional districts were on the ballot, and the closest contests remained undecided as officials counted votes.
In the 4th District, Democrat Sean McCann made Huizenga’s ties to Trump a campaign issue while stressing his own regional experience. Huizenga, in Congress since 2011, presented himself as focused on affordability. McCann’s route to victory depended in part on turnout in college communities and Democratic strongholds, including Kalamazoo, Battle Creek and Benton Harbor.
In the 7th District, Democrat Will Lawrence pressed concerns about high prices and the Iran war, among other issues. Republican Tom Barrett sought distance from Trump and attacked Lawrence’s past positions on policing and immigration. The open 10th District also offered Democrats an opportunity: Christina Hines campaigned against tariffs and for lower health care costs, while Republican Michael Bouchard supported tariffs, border security and a stronger military.
Republicans held seven of Michigan’s 13 seats going into the election. With the national House majority also at stake, the unresolved races could help determine whether voters give Democrats a chance to change the direction of Congress.
Republican House Seats Face Tests in Michigan’s Close Races
Michigan’s close House races put Republican representation and the candidates’ competing policy priorities before voters on November 3, 2026. Republicans held seven of the state’s 13 seats, and the contests involving incumbents Tom Barrett and Bill Huizenga remained too close to call as votes were counted.
In the 4th District, Huizenga sought another term after winning previous re-election bids by wide margins. He campaigned on affordability and his work in Congress. Democrat Sean McCann, a state legislator with a long history in the region, tried to make Huizenga’s association with Trump a liability. The contest turned attention to voter turnout in communities including Kalamazoo, Battle Creek and Benton Harbor.
In the 7th District, Barrett argued that Democrat Will Lawrence’s earlier backing for reducing police funding and more permissive immigration rules was too far left. Lawrence focused on prices, the Iran war and data centers, while Barrett sought to distinguish himself from Trump. In the open 10th District, Republican Michael Bouchard ran on border security, military strength and tariffs intended to help manufacturers; Democrat Christina Hines opposed tariffs and emphasized health care costs.
The election also featured a Democratic handoff in the 13th District: Shri Thanedar had lost the primary to Donovan McKinney, who was expected to win the heavily Democratic seat. The close races elsewhere remained unsettled as counting continued.
Reported by FOX 2 Detroit, Bridge Michigan.
