Democrats outraise GOP hopefuls in key Michigan US House races

Grant Schwab and Melissa Nann Burke, The Detroit News on Oct 15, 2026

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WASHINGTON — Michigan Democratic U.S. House candidates outraised Republicans in several key districts over the past three months, though some GOP contenders held a cash advantage heading into the final weeks of the campaign, according to new public disclosures.

The outpouring of money comes as Democratic candidates try to keep pace with deep-pocketed, outside Republican groups spending at a brisk pace to influence November's midterm elections and help GOP lawmakers keep control of the chamber.

Michigan's biggest U.S. House fundraiser from July through September was Democrat Will Lawrence of Lansing, who is challenging first-term Rep. Tom Barrett, a Charlotte Republican in a district anchored by Lansing. Lawrence hauled in nearly $2.55 million to Barrett's $1.58 million, according to Federal Election Commission disclosures.

Barrett, however, headed into the final month of the race with more cash, $2.36 million to Lawrence's $1 million as of Sept. 30.

In southeast Michigan, former prosecutor Christina Hines hauled in $2.3 million as she looks to flip a coveted seat in Detroit's suburbs currently held by GOP U.S. Rep. John James, who is running for governor.

Hines more than doubled the haul of her Republican opponent Michael Bouchard, who reported nearly $942,600 in receipts. Bouchard has more cash on hand than Hines, however, with nearly $1.39 million to Hines' $1.4 million.

In southwest Michigan, state Sen. Sean McCann, a Democrat, raised $1.69 million to GOP Rep. Bill Huizenga's $1.27 million.

Huizenga reported a larger war chest as of Sept. 30 with $1.86 million in cash reserves to McCann's $1.32 million, according to FEC reports.

Democrat Callie Barr also outpaced GOP Rep. Jack Bergman, who represents Michigan's 1st District, which spans the Upper Peninsula and a large swath of the Lower Peninsula. Barr raised nearly $725,400 and closed out with $768,500 in the bank.

Bergman, a senior member of the House Armed Services panel, brought in $395,800 and reported about $563,500 cash on hand.

In the Tri Cities area, Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet, D-Mich., pulled in more than $1.17 million to GOP opponent Tom Smith's roughly $302,000. The first-term congresswoman finished the quarter with $3.2 million in the bank to Smith's $234,000.

In the Grand Rapids area, Democratic Rep. Hillary Scholten raised about $610,500 and had $1.5 million in cash reserves at the close of the reporting period. Her GOP challenger, meteorologist Terri DeBoer, reported $305,700 in receipts and about $115,000 cash on hand.

About $75,000 of Scholten's haul was bundled by the pro-Israel American Israel Pubic Affairs Committee, or AIPAC.