In northern Michigan’s Republican frontier, does Callie Barr have a shot at taking down incumbent Jack Bergman? Or even close the deficit that has been over 20 points in Bergman’s favor for the past decade in Michigan's First Congressional District?
No polling data is available for this David-vs.-Goliath matchup, as Bergman beat Barr by 21 points (Bergman 59%, Barr 38%) in 2024.
A battered Republican Party and historic midterm shifts make this an interesting race as Democrats build coalitions across the country.
“I’ve been all over the district literally from one end of the UP to the other … I got half the state of Michigan, and it’s beautiful this time of year because of the fall colors,” Congressman Jack Bergman said. “I’ll stand on my record. I’m thankful for all the people that have supported me for the last decade.”
Bergman is looking forward to returning for his sixth term at 79 and confirmed that, if elected, this wouldn’t be his last political rodeo.
“The opportunity to raise a family, to have a job that pays well, to affordable housing, accessible healthcare, it’s sometimes easier said than done, but we’ve made great progress in the last few years,” Bergman said. “Now it’s a matter of continuing it; our constituency (and residents) saw the endgame in their taxes this past year.”
Bergman’s top priority is keeping the public safe, and is critical of Michigan doing better from the education side of things.
“Number one is keeping us safe. In other words, keep the border closed, keep doing what we can at the federal government,” Bergman said. “We don’t have total jurisdiction over state education systems, but Michigan has fallen so far, in the last eight years, in our K-12 education outcomes for our young boys and girls. Michigan really needs to do better on that, and I’ll help where I can from the federal government standpoint … People are talking about it; they want less federal government. They want better Michigan government, and they want to be able to do what we do in Michigan, which is enjoy life here all four seasons up.”
Bergman wants his legacy to be that he represented all of Michigan’s First District, not just the people who voted for him. “I’m a Marine, and I’ll also look at you straight in the eye and say we could do a little bit better here, so let’s work together to make that happen, and that’s what I’m doing every day in DC,” Bergman said.
Bergman serves on the bipartisan National Defense Authorization Act and Armed Services committees, to name a few.
Bergman said he believes the Republicans will come away with a small majority in the House.
Challenger Callie Barr earned the Democratic nomination for the second straight time after defeating a crowded Democratic field in the August Primary.
“Michigan’s 1st Congressional District isn’t for Democrats or Republicans. It’s for the people of the Upper Peninsula and northern Michigan, and they are tired of Jack Bergman taking their support for granted,” Barr said.
While the seat has been solid Republican for over a decade, Barr’s 2026 effort has drawn unusual attention from Democrats. Former Sen. Debbie Stabenow — now an Elk Rapids resident — is publicly backing Barr and predicting she’ll flip the seat. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) has added the district to its “Districts in Play” list, signaling renewed Democratic optimism.
“The cost of living is skyrocketing, but he keeps voting to make our lives harder. Our campaign’s message is breaking through because we’re talking to voters about the things they care about: the cost of gas and groceries, access to healthcare, and veterans issues, and Social Security. I’ll be laser focused on those issues.” Barr’s 2026 fundraising has shattered district records, with a third-quarter haul of $725,000, up from Bergman’s 2016 record of $590,000. She attributes the surge to voter frustration over Trump’s trade war with Canada and broader cost-of-living pressures.
Her core themes echo 2024, including: veterans’ benefits, affordable housing for yearround residents, expanded broadband, and protecting the middle class.
