Who's In the Race

Rep. Jack Bergman (R-MI) faces Democrat Callie Barr and independent Zebulon Hart Featherly in the November 3 general election in Michigan's 1st District. Barr ran against Bergman in 2024, according to MLive. ​

Bergman served 40 years in the U.S. Marine Corps, reaching the rank of lieutenant general, and before Congress owned a small business and worked 22 years as a commercial airline pilot. He won the Aug. 4 Republican primary with about 74 percent of the vote over runner-up Matthew DenOtter.

Barr is a military spouse, veterans' advocate, teacher, and attorney; she has a law degree from the University of Michigan and said she became a primary caretaker for her husband after he returned from military service with combat injuries. She won the Aug. 4 Democratic primary with about 58 percent of the vote over runner-up Kyle Blomquist.

Featherly is an electrician and wind-turbine technician based in Traverse City.

What They Stand For

Bergman has proposed expanding rural broadband and reducing construction delays so that Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula are not left behind, according to his campaign website. He's also supported:

  • Maintaining a strong military to deter adversaries and improve readiness,
  • Stronger border enforcement and additional resources to stop fentanyl trafficking,
  • Protecting unborn life and healthcare workers' conscience rights; and
  • School choice and parental rights in education.

Barr has proposed universal healthcare, including making Medicare available to everyone from birth and restoring Medicaid cuts, according to her campaign website. She has also supported:

  • Affordable homebuilding and practical zoning changes to address housing needs of year-round residents,
  • Protecting Social Security and removing its contribution cap, as well as unions and the PRO Act,
  • Protecting rural hospitals and improving EMS funding, according to Up North Voice; and
  • PFAS cleanup, Great Lakes restoration funding, and accountability for polluters, according to Up North Voice.

Featherly has said he is passionate about healthcare, education, energy independence, and protecting personal freedom, and supports term limits and greater government transparency, according to his campaign website.

Race Outlook: Ratings and Betting Markets

Cook Political Report rated the race Solid Republican as of Oct. 9; Sabato's Crystal Ball rated it Solid Republican as of Oct. 11; and Inside Elections rated it Solid Republican as of Oct. 2. On Kalshi, traders gave Republicans, whose nominee is Bergman, an 88.89% chance of winning, and Democrats, whose nominee is Barr, an 11.11% chance, as of Oct. 15.

Bergman won the district with about 60 percent in both 2022 and 2024, though his share edged down by less than one percentage point between the two cycles. In 2022, Democrats won seven of Michigan's 13 U.S. House seats, and Republicans won the other six. Donald Trump carried Michigan in the 2024 presidential election with about 50 percent of the vote.

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