Who's In the Race

Rep. John Moolenaar (R-MI) faces Democrat Benjamin Ambrose and Green Party candidate Charlotte Magoon in the Nov. 3 general election in Michigan's 2nd District. ​

Moolenaar has represented the district since 2015 and previously served in the Michigan House of Representatives from 2003 to 2008.

Ambrose is a Marine Corps veteran who served for nearly 20 years, grew up on a farm in Hesperia, Michigan, and holds a bachelor's degree in international affairs from Georgetown University. Magoon is a registered nurse. Moolenaar ran unopposed in the Aug. 4 Republican primary. Ambrose won the Aug. 4 Democratic primary, edging Jamie Hill in a four-candidate field.

What They Stand For

Moolenaar's official House issues page lists agriculture, energy, health care, jobs and the economy, and the Great Lakes as policy areas. He has also supported:

  • Agriculture policy,
  • Energy issues,
  • Health care; and
  • the Great Lakes.

Ambrose supports Medicare for All, his campaign website says, and MLive quotes him saying health care should be "affordable, accessible, and focused on outcomes." He has also supported:

  • Access to a strong education for every child,
  • Protecting veterans; and
  • Keeping Michigan communities and families strong.

The Money Behind the Race

Through July 15, Moolenaar had raised about $1.65 million and had about $1.9 million in cash on hand, more than his total receipts; Ambrose had raised about $85,000 and had about $22,000 on hand. Moolenaar held roughly 87 times as much cash as Ambrose heading into the fall campaign.

Outside groups have spent about $286 supporting Moolenaar, with Right to Life of Michigan Victory Fund as the only spender on that side, according to FEC records.

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 Moolenaar, a 97% chance of winning as of Oct. 14, while Democrats, whose nominee is Ambrose, stood at 3%.

Moolenaar won the district with about 64% of the vote in 2022 and about 65% in 2024. Republicans and Democrats each won a majority of Michigan's 13 U.S. House seats in one of the past two cycles: Democrats took seven in 2022 and Republicans took seven in 2024. Donald Trump carried Michigan in the 2024 presidential election with about 50% of the vote.

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