Who's In the Race
Rep. Tim Walberg (R-MI) faces Democrat Christian Vukasovich in the Nov. 3 general election in Michigan's 5th Congressional District. Michigan redrew its congressional map starting with the 2022 elections, shifting district boundaries statewide.
Walberg is a former pastor who served in the Michigan House of Representatives from 1983 to 1999, and he is serving his ninth term as U.S. representative for Michigan's 5th Congressional District. He ran unopposed in the Republican primary.
Christian Vukasovich is an educator, labor organizer, and community leader who has worked as a teacher, college professor, bricklayer, and union organizer. He also ran unopposed in the Democratic primary.
What They Stand For
Walberg has proposed expanding domestic energy production to "provide relief to the pocketbooks of Michigan families" and encourage domestic job creation, according to his official House website. According to his official House website, he has also supported legislative initiatives that "preserve America's founding principles and protect the rights of the unborn.” His campaign website lists affordable health care, fiscal responsibility, and national security as priorities.
Vukasovich has proposed Medicare for All, according to his campaign website. He's also supported greater investment in rural hospitals and protections for Social Security and Medicare, protecting voting rights, and secure borders and immigration policy reform.
The Money Behind the Race
Walberg raised about $1.7 million through July 15 and had about $994,000 in the bank, according to Federal Election Commission (FEC) filings. FEC filings show Vukasovich raised about $56,000 through July 15 and had about $13,000 cash on hand. Outside spending in the race totaled just $240 as of Oct. 13, all of it backing Walberg, with the Right to Life of Michigan Victory Fund as the sole spender.
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. Inside Elections rated it Solid Republican as of Oct. 2. On Kalshi, traders gave Republicans a 90.54 percent chance of winning as of Oct. 13. Democrats stood at 9.46 percent.
Walberg carried the district with about 62 percent of the vote in 2022 and about 66 percent in 2024. Republicans and Democrats each won six or seven of Michigan's 13 U.S. House seats in both 2022 and 2024, with Republicans holding a 7-to-6 edge after the most recent cycle. Donald Trump carried Michigan in the 2024 presidential election with about 50 percent of the vote.
Voters in Michigan's 5th District can register online or by mail through Monday, Oct. 19; in-person registration is available through Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3, at a local clerk's office. Mail-ballot applications must be submitted by Friday, Oct. 30, at 5 p.m., according to the Michigan Secretary of State. Early voting runs Saturday, Oct. 24, through Sunday, Nov. 1; sites must be open at least eight hours each day, though uniform statewide hours are not set. Polls on Election Day open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m.
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