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Michigan's 7th Congressional District election, 2026

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2024
Michigan's 7th Congressional District
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General election
Election details
Filing deadline: April 21, 2026
Primary: August 4, 2026
General: November 3, 2026
How to vote
Poll times:

7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Voting in Michigan

Race ratings
Cook Political Report: Toss-up
DDHQ and The Hill: Pending
Inside Elections: Toss-up
Sabato's Crystal Ball: Toss-up
Ballotpedia analysis
U.S. Senate battlegrounds
U.S. House battlegrounds
Federal and state primary competitiveness
Ballotpedia's Election Analysis Hub, 2026
See also
Michigan's 7th Congressional District
U.S. Senate1st2nd3rd4th5th6th7th8th9th10th11th12th13th
Michigan elections, 2026
U.S. Congress elections, 2026
U.S. Senate elections, 2026
U.S. House elections, 2026

All U.S. House districts, including the 7th Congressional District of Michigan, are holding elections in 2026. The general election is November 3, 2026. To learn more about other elections on the ballot, click here.

Candidates and election results

Note: The following list includes official candidates only. Ballotpedia defines official candidates as people who:

  • Register with a federal or state campaign finance agency before the candidate filing deadline
  • Appear on candidate lists released by government election agencies

Note: At this time, Ballotpedia is combining all declared candidates for this election into one list under a general election heading. As primary election dates are published, this information will be updated to separate general election candidates from primary candidates as appropriate.

General election

The general election will occur on November 3, 2026.

General election for U.S. House Michigan District 7

The following candidates are running in the general election for U.S. House Michigan District 7 on November 3, 2026.


Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Candidate profiles

This section includes candidate profiles that may be created in one of two ways: either the candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey, or Ballotpedia staff may compile a profile based on campaign websites, advertisements, and public statements after identifying the candidate as noteworthy. For more on how we select candidates to include, click here.

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WebsiteFacebookYouTube

Party: Democratic Party

Incumbent: No

Political Office: None

Submitted Biography "I'm Elyon Badger (Samuel Smeltzer), a Michigan Army National Guard veteran, LGBTQIA+ activist, and small contractor running to represent Michigan’s 7th District in Congress. I’ve experienced the failings of our system firsthand and I’m running to build a government that finally works for the people, NOT THE BILLIONAIRES."


Key Messages

To read this candidate's full survey responses, click here.


Healthcare is a human right, Roe v Wade was never enough to protect abortion rights, the only way to restore it permanently is with Universal Healthcare and that needs to be a constitutional amendment. To get that, the Democratic party needs a supermajority in the House and Senate. And the billionaire class can easily afford it, the cruelty is the only point they have.


A "Technology Bill of Rights" is NECESSARY to protect users from their data being misused by big tech. We need rules around AI and how it can and cannot be used. I fear the day an AI video puts someone in jail for a crime they did not commit.


The Drug war has FAILED and it's time to rescind these barbaric laws and give people the HELP they need when they suffer from addiction, our system has profited from their suffering and its time to END it. We can fix these problems.

Voting information

See also: Voting in Michigan

Ballotpedia will publish the dates and deadlines related to this election as they are made available.

Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses

Ballotpedia asks all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. The section below shows responses from candidates in this race who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Survey responses from candidates in this race

Click on a candidate's name to visit their Ballotpedia page.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

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Healthcare is a human right, Roe v Wade was never enough to protect abortion rights, the only way to restore it permanently is with Universal Healthcare and that needs to be a constitutional amendment. To get that, the Democratic party needs a supermajority in the House and Senate. And the billionaire class can easily afford it, the cruelty is the only point they have.

A "Technology Bill of Rights" is NECESSARY to protect users from their data being misused by big tech. We need rules around AI and how it can and cannot be used. I fear the day an AI video puts someone in jail for a crime they did not commit.

The Drug war has FAILED and it's time to rescind these barbaric laws and give people the HELP they need when they suffer from addiction, our system has profited from their suffering and its time to END it. We can fix these problems.
I'm passionate about universal healthcare, ending the war on drugs, and protecting civil rights in the digital age. We need a Technology Bill of Rights to secure privacy, net neutrality, and ethical AI development. I support legalizing cannabis, expunging records, and investing in communities harmed by prohibition. As a disabled veteran, I fight for better VA access and disability justice. I also advocate for green infrastructure like high-speed rail and solar power, and believe in ending insider trading in Congress and overturning Citizens United to return political power to the people.
Mr. Rogers mother Nancy Rogers, "Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.”
The Platform is an amazing film on how the randomness of life can take you from the bottom, to the top, and back to the bottom again. I'm also a big fan of Anime, my favorite is Gundam 00, its set a few hundred years in the future when the earth is out of oil and the geopolitical conflicts that results from a cold/energy war.
If a rising tide is supposed to lift all ships, what happens to those without a boat? I believe elected officials should build safety nets that protect everyone, not just the wealthy few. We need leaders who focus on those struggling the most, because when we lift from the bottom up, we lift everyone. What helps the poor, the disabled, and working people strengthens the whole country. Real leadership means listening, being present, and standing up to power when it fails the people. Public service isn’t about status, it’s about showing up, telling the truth, and doing what’s right, no matter how uncomfortable that makes the powerful.
I know what it's like to struggle and be left behind, I care more about the people in my community than power or money that politics can bring. My time in service taught me to never accept defeat and I'm fighting for those that can't fight for themselves, nobody else gets left behind.
The core responsibility of someone elected to Congress is to represent the people, not corporations, not party elites, but the actual folks living and struggling in the district. That means showing up, listening, and fighting for laws that make life better for working families, the poor, the disabled, and the unheard. It means protecting our rights, holding corrupt government officials accountable, and making sure public money serves the public good. This isn’t about climbing a ladder or chasing headlines, it’s about public service, honesty, and being brave enough to challenge the system when it’s broken.
Wise men plant seeds for the trees of which they will never feel the shade. If I can be the one vote that gets the American people the healthcare they desperately need, then that's more than enough for me.
Like so many millenials, I was 11 years old in 7th grade and September 11 was being played on our TV, little did I know how at the time, how bad the consequences from a forever war based on a lie would be.
Selling cherries on the side of the highway, I was 17 and it was a summer job.
The New Jim Crow. Understanding how the U.S. government targeted the minority groups of America for so long is what challenged me to be the change that congress desperately needs.
Rage Against The Machine - Killing In the Name
The U.S. House of Representatives have the societal responsibility to write the laws for all of us to follow, if those laws are written with the corrupt weight of dollar and coin, then they do represent the desires of the people, but the elite few. The House is unique because to fix bad laws, regular people can take up the responsibility, for their communities and be the change to bad policies.
The billionaire class has bought their way into the pockets of congress, our rights are being stripped away as AI is used to harvest all our data from our phones and cars and sold to the Pentagon or Disney for a profit.
The American people desperately need term limits from leadership, while legislation takes time, 30 years in office is FAR too many. Younger people need a chance to run and that cant be overshadowed by years of establishment connections and money.
Bernie Sanders, his fight for Universal Healthcare is why I'm running.
Betty, she and her husband (who is a disabled vietnam veteran) had an appointment to see Tom Barrett, his wheelchair ramp at his office was chained off and a table was barricading the ramp, Tom ignored them. I met Betty and her husband at a protest, Tom left his fellow soldier behind, I wont.
I love to tell dad jokes, but only sometimes he laughs.
Taxing the billionaire class out of financial existence to pay for the 35 trillion dollars of debt we've been left with.
The House should be investigating financial crimes and briberies done by the billionaire class.
I’d be most effective on committees like Energy and Commerce, where I can fight for universal healthcare, cannabis reform, and ethical tech policy. Veterans’ Affairs is personal to me as a disabled veteran, I've been left behind like so many other veterans, so I'm gonna fight my hardest to fix it. I’m passionate about green infrastructure like trains, so Transportation and Infrastructure would let me push for high-speed rail and solar investment. Oversight and Accountability aligns with my commitment to fighting corruption and ENDING insider trading. And as someone advocating for a Technology Bill of Rights, Science and Technology would let me help shape the future in a way that protects people, not just profits.
Members of congress AND their families should NEVER be allowed to own stocks or crypto currencies, public service is about helping people, not profiting.


You can ask candidates in this race to fill out the survey by clicking their names below:

Campaign finance

Name Party Receipts* Disbursements** Cash on hand Date
Tom Barrett Republican Party $1,946,162 $509,260 $1,459,002 As of June 30, 2025
Elyon Badger Democratic Party $0 $0 $0 Data not available***
Bridget Brink Democratic Party $503,476 $18,812 $484,664 As of June 30, 2025
Josh Cowen Democratic Party $0 $0 $0 Data not available***
William Lawrence Democratic Party $0 $0 $0 Data not available***
Matt Maasdam Democratic Party $0 $0 $0 Data not available***
Alexandra Prieditis Democratic Party $0 $0 $0 Data not available***
Muhammad Salman Rais Democratic Party $0 $0 $0 Data not available***

Source: Federal Elections Commission, "Campaign finance data," 2026. This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).

* According to the FEC, "Receipts are anything of value (money, goods, services or property) received by a political committee."
** According to the FEC, a disbursement "is a purchase, payment, distribution, loan, advance, deposit or gift of money or anything of value to influence a federal election," plus other kinds of payments not made to influence a federal election.
*** Candidate either did not report any receipts or disbursements to the FEC, or Ballotpedia did not find an FEC candidate ID.

General election race ratings

See also: Race rating definitions and methods

Ballotpedia provides race ratings from four outlets: The Cook Political Report, Inside Elections, Sabato's Crystal Ball, and DDHQ/The Hill. Each race rating indicates if one party is perceived to have an advantage in the race and, if so, the degree of advantage:

  • Safe and Solid ratings indicate that one party has a clear edge and the race is not competitive.
  • Likely ratings indicate that one party has a clear edge, but an upset is possible.
  • Lean ratings indicate that one party has a small edge, but the race is competitive.[1]
  • Toss-up ratings indicate that neither party has an advantage.

Race ratings are informed by a number of factors, including polling, candidate quality, and election result history in the race's district or state.[2][3][4]

Race ratings: Michigan's 7th Congressional District election, 2026
Race trackerRace ratings
10/7/20259/30/20259/23/20259/16/2025
The Cook Political Report with Amy WalterToss-upToss-upToss-upToss-up
Decision Desk HQ and The HillPendingPendingPendingPending
Inside Elections with Nathan L. GonzalesToss-upToss-upToss-upToss-up
Larry J. Sabato's Crystal BallToss-upToss-upToss-upToss-up
Note: Ballotpedia reviews external race ratings every week throughout the election season and posts weekly updates even if the media outlets have not revised their ratings during that week.

Ballot access

This section will contain information on ballot access related to this state's elections when it is available.

District history

The section below details election results for this office in elections dating back to 2020.

2024

See also: Michigan's 7th Congressional District election, 2024

Michigan's 7th Congressional District election, 2024 (August 6 Democratic primary)

Michigan's 7th Congressional District election, 2024 (August 6 Republican primary)

General election

General election for U.S. House Michigan District 7

Tom Barrett defeated Curtis Hertel and L. Rachel Dailey in the general election for U.S. House Michigan District 7 on November 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Tom Barrett
Tom Barrett (R)
 
50.3
 
226,722
Image of Curtis Hertel
Curtis Hertel (D)
 
46.6
 
209,959
Image of L. Rachel Dailey
L. Rachel Dailey (L)
 
3.2
 
14,231

Total votes: 450,912
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Michigan District 7

Curtis Hertel advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Michigan District 7 on August 6, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Curtis Hertel
Curtis Hertel
 
100.0
 
72,083

Total votes: 72,083
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Michigan District 7

Tom Barrett advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House Michigan District 7 on August 6, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Tom Barrett
Tom Barrett
 
100.0
 
63,399

Total votes: 63,399
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Libertarian convention

Libertarian convention for U.S. House Michigan District 7

L. Rachel Dailey advanced from the Libertarian convention for U.S. House Michigan District 7 on July 20, 2024.

Candidate
Image of L. Rachel Dailey
L. Rachel Dailey (L)

Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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2022

See also: Michigan's 7th Congressional District election, 2022

General election

General election for U.S. House Michigan District 7

Incumbent Elissa Slotkin defeated Tom Barrett and L. Rachel Dailey in the general election for U.S. House Michigan District 7 on November 8, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Elissa Slotkin
Elissa Slotkin (D)
 
51.7
 
192,809
Image of Tom Barrett
Tom Barrett (R) Candidate Connection
 
46.3
 
172,624
Image of L. Rachel Dailey
L. Rachel Dailey (L)
 
2.0
 
7,275

Total votes: 372,708
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Michigan District 7

Incumbent Elissa Slotkin advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Michigan District 7 on August 2, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Elissa Slotkin
Elissa Slotkin
 
100.0
 
77,826

Total votes: 77,826
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Michigan District 7

Tom Barrett defeated Jacob Hagg in the Republican primary for U.S. House Michigan District 7 on August 2, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Tom Barrett
Tom Barrett Candidate Connection
 
96.0
 
75,491
Image of Jacob Hagg
Jacob Hagg (Write-in)
 
4.0
 
3,108

Total votes: 78,599
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Libertarian convention

Libertarian convention for U.S. House Michigan District 7

L. Rachel Dailey advanced from the Libertarian convention for U.S. House Michigan District 7 on July 10, 2022.

Candidate
Image of L. Rachel Dailey
L. Rachel Dailey (L)

Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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2020

See also: Michigan's 7th Congressional District election, 2020

General election

General election for U.S. House Michigan District 7

Incumbent Tim Walberg defeated Gretchen Driskell in the general election for U.S. House Michigan District 7 on November 3, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Tim Walberg
Tim Walberg (R) Candidate Connection
 
58.8
 
227,524
Image of Gretchen Driskell
Gretchen Driskell (D)
 
41.2
 
159,743

Total votes: 387,267
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Michigan District 7

Gretchen Driskell advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Michigan District 7 on August 4, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Gretchen Driskell
Gretchen Driskell
 
100.0
 
63,470

Total votes: 63,470
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Michigan District 7

Incumbent Tim Walberg advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House Michigan District 7 on August 4, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Tim Walberg
Tim Walberg Candidate Connection
 
100.0
 
84,397

Total votes: 84,397
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates



District analysis

This section will contain facts and figures related to this district's elections when those are available.

See also

Michigan 2026 primaries 2026 U.S. Congress elections
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External links

Footnotes

  1. Inside Elections also uses Tilt ratings to indicate an even smaller advantage and greater competitiveness.
  2. Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Nathan Gonzalez," April 19, 2018
  3. Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Kyle Kondik," April 19, 2018
  4. Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Charlie Cook," April 22, 2018


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