Who's In the Race

Voters in Michigan's 9th U.S. House District can register online or by mail through Monday, Oct. 19. The general election pits Republican incumbent Rep. Lisa McClain (R-MI) against Democratic challenger Ray Pooley. ​

McClain has represented Michigan in the U.S. House since 2021 and serves as chair of the House Republican Conference. Pooley is a CNC machinist and programmer who describes himself as a working-class advocate. Both candidates ran unopposed in their Aug. 4 primaries.

Also on the general-election ballot are Destiny Clayton, an Army veteran and progressive activist running as an independent; Kevin Vayko, an environmental engineer; John Vlahos; and Jim Walkowicz, a retired state employee and Marxist activist.

What They Stand For

McClain has supported lower taxes and rolling back rules she says hinder small-business growth, according to her campaign website. She has called for securing the border, building a wall, and enforcing immigration laws. She has supported reducing federal rules on agriculture and says farmers should decide how to farm their land. She opposes federal licensing and national gun registration, arguing for the rights of law-abiding gun owners. On health care, she has proposed market-based changes, including allowing insurance purchases across state lines and expanding health savings accounts.

Pooley has proposed bringing manufacturing jobs back to the United States by investing in new industries and trade schools, with wages he says should be a living wage, according to his campaign website. He has supported raising wages and lowering taxes for working families, closing corporate tax loopholes, and requiring profitable companies to share profits with employees. He has supported Medicare for All, saying health-care decisions should be "between you and your doctor." He has favored clean, American-made energy, including solar and wind, and says polluters should be held accountable. He has supported a secure border alongside a faster legal immigration process and a pathway to citizenship for people who follow the rules.

The Money Behind the Race

Federal Election Commission filings show McClain raised about $5.2 million through July 15 and had about $1.5 million in the bank. Pooley raised about $8,084 through July 15 and had about $4,942 on hand, according to FEC filings.

Race Outlook: Ratings and Betting Markets

The Cook Political Report rated the race "Solid Republican" as of Sept. 25; Sabato's Crystal Ball rated it "Solid Republican" as of Sept. 29; and Inside Elections rated it "Solid Republican" as of Oct. 2. On Kalshi, traders gave Republicans, whose nominee is McClain, a 93.1 percent chance of winning as of mid-day on Oct. 8.

McClain won the district in 2022 with about 64 percent of the vote and again in 2024 with about 67 percent. Republicans flipped the statewide House delegation from a 7-6 Democratic edge in 2022 to a 7-6 Republican edge in 2024. Donald Trump carried Michigan in the 2024 presidential election with about 50 percent of the vote.

Voters who want to cast a ballot in this race should note the following deadlines and hours, per the Michigan Secretary of State: Online and mail voter registration closes Monday, Oct. 19; in-person registration is available through Election Day, Tuesday, Nov. 3, at the local clerk's office. Early voting runs Saturday, Oct. 24, through Sunday, Nov. 1, with at least eight hours of voting available each day; specific hours are set locally. Mail-ballot applications must be submitted online by Friday, Oct. 30, at 5 p.m., or in person at the clerk's office by Monday, Nov. 2. Polls on Election Day are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

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