Why It Matters
Jack Bergman is running for a sixth term in a district that has become a comfortable Republican hold. The incumbent Marine veteran, who has built a legislative record focused on veterans' issues and military readiness, enters the 2026 cycle facing a challenge from within his own party, while the Democratic field remains fractured.
Election probability models currently favor Bergman at 56 percent to his Republican challenger's 42 percent, and the district itself is rated as Safe Republican. But the race reflects broader tensions within the GOP about seniority, ideological positioning, and who best represents the Upper Peninsula's interests.
The Incumbent's Position
Bergman first won his seat in 2016 with 55 percent of the vote. He has since built a legislative footprint centered on military affairs and veterans' services. In the current Congress, he chairs the House Armed Services Readiness Subcommittee and sits on the Budget Committee and the Veterans' Affairs Committee.
His legislative priorities reflect his background. A Marine Corps veteran who served for more than 25 years before retiring in 2009, Bergman was a leading proponent of a bill to expedite medical coverage for veterans from private doctors and hospitals. He has joined a bipartisan push for the FDA to approve MDMA-assisted therapy to treat veterans and others suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. He has also championed efforts around rural broadband and local infrastructure projects in his district.
Bergman easily won reelection in 2022 with 60 percent of the vote, defeating Democrat Bob Lorinser. In 2024, he took 59 percent in the general election against Democrat Callie Barr, and won his Republican primary with 79 percent of the vote against Joshua Saul.
But recent months have brought complications. An ethics complaint alleges that his top aides ran a political consulting firm on the side while evading financial disclosure requirements. The complaint was triggered by investigative reporting from the Detroit News. Additionally, Bergman was the largest beneficiary of a new program that allows members to be reimbursed for expenses from maintaining separate homes in D.C. and their home states in 2023.
Despite these headwinds, Bergman has secured the endorsement of President Donald Trump. Bergman had also joined the House Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Caucus as Trump prepared to take office for his second term.
The Republican Primary Challenge
Bergman faces a serious Republican primary challenge from Tom DenOtter, a healthcare industry executive who is leading the field in fundraising. DenOtter has over 22 years of experience in the healthcare industry and is a Grand Rapids native and Calvin College graduate. He was relocated to the Upper Peninsula early in his career by AstraZeneca.
This is DenOtter's second run for Congress. DenOtter is leading the field in fundraising. DenOtter's healthcare background positions him to speak to issues affecting rural communities in the district, where medical access remains a concern.
The Democratic Field
On the Democratic side, Callie Barr lost to Bergman in 2024, with 38 percent of the vote. The district's Republican leaning means the Democratic nominee faces long odds regardless of who emerges from the primary process.
Campaign Finances
Delta Air Lines PAC contributed a total of $10,000 to Rep. Jack Bergman across 4 contributions.
What's at Stake
An ethics complaint alleges that Bergman's top aides ran a political consulting firm on the side while evading financial disclosure requirements. For Republicans, the question is whether DenOtter's fresh perspective and fundraising prowess represent a better path forward.
Access the Legis1 platform for comprehensive political news, data, and insights.
Spot something wrong? Report an issue with this article