Zebulon Featherly
Elections and appointments
Personal
Contact
Zebulon Featherly (independent) is running for election to the U.S. House to represent Michigan's 1st Congressional District. He declared candidacy for the 2026 election.[source]
Featherly completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Zebulon Featherly was born in Houghton, Michigan. He earned a high school diploma from Houghton High School. He attended Eastern Michigan University and graduated from the North Western Renewable Energy Institute in 2017. His career experience includes working as an electrician and wind turbine technician.[1]
Elections
2026
See also: Michigan's 1st Congressional District election, 2026
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.
Endorsements
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2026
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Zebulon Featherly completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Featherly's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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My name is Zebulon Featherly. I was born and raised in northern Michigan, where I learned early on the value of hard work, honesty, and community. I’ve spent my career in the skilled trades — working as a wind turbine technician and now as an apprentice electrician — which has given me a firsthand look at the challenges working people face every day. I’m running for Congress because I believe regular people deserve a voice that isn’t filtered through political parties or big donors. My goal is to listen to the people I represent and make sure their voices guide the decisions that shape our future.
- America’s future depends on how well we take care of our people today. By strengthening education, healthcare, and clean energy, we give every American the chance to thrive and keep our nation leading in innovation and opportunity.
- Trust in government comes from openness and accountability. I want to make it easier for people to see where their money goes, how decisions are made, and who’s responsible for the outcomes. Transparency isn’t just good policy — it’s how we start rebuilding faith in our institutions.
- We’ve been divided for too long — by misinformation, by political parties, and by the constant noise in the media. But most of us still want the same things: fairness, opportunity, and a better life for our families. I want to help bring people back together by leading with honesty, listening with respect, and focusing on the values we all share. When we work together, we can build something stronger than any party line.
I’m passionate about healthcare, education, energy independence, and protecting personal freedom. I believe in policies that support working families, expand opportunity, and put people before parties.
An elected official needs to stay connected to real people and real problems. It’s not about party loyalty or chasing headlines — it’s about listening, learning, and doing what’s right. Honesty, humility, and integrity go a long way in earning trust and making a difference.
The job is simple at its core: represent your district. That means showing up, listening to your community, and taking their concerns to Washington — not the other way around. A representative should be a messenger for the people, not a mouthpiece for a party or special interests.
I want my legacy to be that I truly represented the people — honestly, fairly, and without party influence.
My first job was as a mountain bike trail builder during the summer between my junior and senior years of high school. I kept at it for another year after graduating before moving on to other ventures. It was tough, hands-on work, but I loved it — especially getting to ride the trails I helped build. It taught me the value of hard work, teamwork, and creating something others can enjoy.
My favorite book is The Iron Prince — I find the story and the world it builds absolutely fascinating.
The House was designed to keep government close to the people. Representatives live and work among the communities they serve and face re-election every two years, which means they should stay accountable and in touch. It’s meant to be the part of government that listens first and acts fast when the people speak.
Experience can help, but it’s not everything. What matters more is character, common sense, and a willingness to listen and learn. Sometimes people outside of government — who’ve actually worked in their communities and know what real life looks like — bring the kind of perspective Washington needs most.
One of our biggest challenges will be keeping up with the rapid changes in technology and the economy — and making sure ordinary people aren’t left behind. We need to adapt faster while protecting jobs, privacy, and opportunity. The pace of change shouldn’t outstrip our ability to govern wisely or fairly.
Two years can be a good balance — it keeps representatives close to the people they serve and gives voters frequent opportunities to hold them accountable. It encourages active listening, responsiveness, and a steady focus on what’s happening at home.
I support term limits. When people stay in office too long, politics starts revolving around keeping power instead of serving the public. Fresh voices bring new ideas and accountability. Elected positions should be a period of service, not a lifelong career.
I’m inspired by leaders who stay humble, listen first, and put their communities ahead of politics. I want to follow that example — being open, honest, and approachable, and making sure people feel heard and represented.
I have a close friend I’ve known since elementary school who’s lost almost all faith in the government. He works hard, pays his taxes, and tries to do the right thing — but he feels like the system wastes his money and no one’s listening to people like him anymore. That stuck with me because he’s not alone. A lot of good people feel disconnected from their own government. I want to help rebuild that trust by focusing on transparency, responsible spending, and showing people that their voices — and their dollars — actually matter.
Yes — good policy comes from honest conversation and practical compromise. That doesn’t mean giving up your principles; it means finding common ground where you can, so progress actually happens. Too often, party politics turns every issue into a fight instead of a solution.
That responsibility means making sure every dollar collected from taxpayers is used effectively and transparently. I’d prioritize smart investments in infrastructure, education, and local economies that give people lasting value and opportunity.
The House should use its investigative powers to keep government honest and transparent — especially when it comes to how tax dollars are spent and who’s influencing decisions. Oversight should focus on uncovering waste, misuse of public funds, and the outsized role of lobbyists and super PACs in shaping policy. Every citizen deserves to know that their money is being used responsibly and that their government answers to them, not special interests.
AI is going to bring some of the biggest changes our country has ever seen — and we need to be ready for it. The government’s role should be to understand these technologies, respond quickly, and create smart policies that protect the working class. We can’t ignore AI or try to ban it; instead, we should focus on using it to improve people’s lives — supporting workers, strengthening education, and keeping opportunity within reach for everyone. With the right approach, AI can be a tool that lifts people up, not one that leaves them behind.
I’d work to make our elections more accessible, secure, and transparent. Every citizen should be able to vote easily and know their voice matters. Strengthening confidence in our elections strengthens confidence in our democracy.
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.
Campaign finance summary
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See also
External links
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on October 19, 2025
Senators
Representatives
Democratic Party (8)
Republican Party (7)
