The Winner

If you live in Michigan's 9th U.S. House District, you will continue to be represented in Congress by Rep. Lisa McClain (R-MI), who has been declared the winner of the congressional race, according to The Associated Press. The general election was held Nov. 3. ​

According to unofficial results reported by Decision Desk HQ as of Nov. 4, McClain received 247,817 votes, or approximately 62.6%, defeating Democrat Ray Pooley, who received 137,275 votes, or 34.7%. McClain led Pooley by 110,542 votes, or approximately 27.9 percentage points. The results remain preliminary pending certification.

McClain's victory secures her fourth term in Congress and keeps Michigan's 9th Congressional District in Republican hands as Democrats regain control of the U.S. House of Representatives. McClain, who has served in Congress since January 2021 and currently chairs the House Republican Conference, will return to Washington as a member of the minority party. The Democratic takeover will give Democrats control over House committee leadership, the legislative agenda and congressional oversight of President Donald Trump's administration.

The Race

Ray Pooley was the Democratic opponent, having advanced unopposed through the Aug. 4 Democratic primary with 74,349 votes. McClain also ran unopposed in the Republican primary and received 103,291 votes. The general election additionally featured Libertarian Kevin Vayko, U.S. Taxpayers Party candidate John Vlahos, Green Party candidate Destiny Clayton, and Working Class Party candidate Jim Walkowicz. Cook Political Report and Inside Elections both rated the seat Solid Republican heading into Election Day, according to Ballotpedia; Sabato's Crystal Ball rated it Safe Republican.

Michigan's 9th Congressional District covers all or parts of Huron, Tuscola, Sanilac, Lapeer, St. Clair, Macomb and Oakland counties, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The district has approximately 779,000 residents, a median household income of about $85,300, and a median age of 43, according to district geographic data. About 29% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher; the unemployment rate is approximately 4.7%, and about 8.8% of residents live below the poverty line. The district is approximately 89% white, with Hispanic or Latino residents making up about 4% of the population and Black residents about 2%.

What's Next

McClain's fourth term begins Jan. 3, 2027. With Democrats taking control of the House, McClain will serve in the minority while seeking to retain her leadership position within the Republican Conference.

Following her victory, McClain asked House Republicans to re-elect her as conference chair, saying the party must "drive the national conversation" and equip members to take their message to Democrats, according to POLITICO, which reported her comments on Nov. 4. McClain also pledged to help Republicans "get back in the fight" following the party's election losses.

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