GOP Candidates for 2026
Last Updated: March 9, 2026 | This page is updated weekly with the latest candidate information.
U.S. Senate Candidates
Mike Rogers
Bio: Mike Rogers is a former Army officer and FBI agent who previously led the House Intelligence Committee. He served seven terms in Congress representing mid-Michigan from 2001 to 2015. Rogers focuses on bringing manufacturing jobs back to Michigan, lowering costs for gas, groceries, and prescription drugs, protecting Social Security and Medicare, and prioritizing education.
Endorsed by: President Donald Trump
Contact Information:
P.O. Box 132, St. Joseph, MI 49085
rogersforsenate.com
CD-4 Congressional Candidate
Bill Huizenga (Incumbent)
Bio: William Patrick Huizenga has served as U.S. Representative from Michigan since 2011, representing the 4th Congressional District which covers Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, and Holland. Born January 31, 1969, he previously served in the Michigan House of Representatives from 2003 to 2009. He co-owns and operates Huizenga Gravel Company in Jenison, Michigan. He and his wife have five children and live in Holland.
Key Issues: Combating inflation, restoring energy independence, border security, Great Lakes protection, pro-business regulatory environment
Contact Information:
P.O. Box 1036, Holland, MI 49422
info@huizengaforcongress.com
huizengaformichigan.com
Official House Website
CD-5 Congressional Candidate
Tim Walberg (Incumbent)
Bio: Tim Walberg is currently serving his eighth term in Congress as the representative of Michigan’s 5th Congressional District.
Contact Information:
Washington, D.C.: 2266 Rayburn HOB, Washington, D.C. 20515
Phone: (202) 225-6276
Campaign: P.O. Box 1362, Jackson, MI 49204
info@walbergforcongress.com
walbergforcongress.com
Official House Website
Governor Candidates
John James
Bio: John James is a combat veteran, congressman, and leading gubernatorial candidate. He graduated from West Point and served eight years in the U.S. Army as a Ranger-qualified aviation officer, logging over 750 combat hours in Operation Iraqi Freedom. After military service, James led James Group International, growing the automotive supply company from $35 million to $137 million while creating over 100 Michigan jobs. He holds an MBA from the University of Michigan and currently represents Michigan’s 10th Congressional District.
Key Issues: Affordability, housing costs, lowering taxes, healthcare expenses
Contact Information:
35744 Van Dyke Avenue, Sterling Heights, MI 48312
info@johnjamesmi.com
(313) 437-1880
johnjamesmi.com
Mike Cox
Bio: Mike Cox is a former U.S. Marine Corps infantry rifleman and Michigan’s first Republican Attorney General in 50 years (2002-2010). The son of immigrants, Cox earned degrees from the University of Michigan and spent 21 years prosecuting criminals before his election as Attorney General. He reduced bureaucratic waste, saved thousands of Michigan homeowners from foreclosure, defended gun rights, and championed the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative.
Key Issues: Lower taxes, safer communities, better schools, merit-based equality
Contact Information:
17430 Laurel Park Drive North, Suite 120E, Livonia, MI 48152
mikecox2026.com
Tom Leonard
Bio: Tom Leonard served as Speaker of the Michigan House from 2017 to 2019 and was first elected to the Michigan House of Representatives in 2012, serving three terms. A former prosecutor with Genesee County’s Special Crimes Division, Leonard focuses on population growth, improving third-grade reading outcomes, addressing mental health, and government accountability.
Key Issues: Lowering taxes, growing Michigan for future generations, regulatory reform, worker freedom policies, electricity rates
Contact Information:
tomformichigan.com
Perry Johnson
Bio: Perry Johnson is a Michigan businessman making his second bid for governor. He announced his candidacy on January 26, 2026, with a focus on efficiency, fiscal discipline, and eliminating the state income tax.
Key Issues: Ending wasteful government spending, modernizing state processes, performance-based management, eliminating state income tax
Contact Information:
perryjohnson.com
Attorney General Candidates
Note: Michigan does not hold primary elections for Attorney General; nominees are chosen at party conventions. The Republican convention is scheduled for March 28, 2026.
Doug Lloyd
Bio: Doug Lloyd has 34 years of legal experience and 30 years as a prosecutor. He is currently serving his fourth term as Eaton County Prosecuting Attorney with a proven record of securing convictions for murder and public corruption.
Kevin Kijewski
Bio: Kevin Kijewski is a defense attorney and former Superintendent of Catholic Schools for the Archdiocese of Detroit, where he oversaw 86 schools and 27,000 students. He announced his candidacy in April 2025 and earned a decisive victory in the Mackinac Republican Leadership Conference straw poll.
Matt DePerno
Bio: Matt DePerno is a former attorney general candidate who ran against Dana Nessel in 2022.
Secretary of State Candidates
Note: Michigan does not hold primary elections for Secretary of State; nominees are chosen at party conventions. The Republican convention is scheduled for March 28, 2026.
Anthony Forlini
Bio: Anthony Forlini launched his campaign in September 2025. He started his political career as supervisor of Harrison Township before serving in the Michigan House from 2011 to 2016. He was elected Macomb County Clerk in 2020 and won re-election in 2024.
Amanda Love
Bio: Amanda Love brings over 20 years of experience in Michigan’s political and legal systems. She is the only candidate who has worked inside the Secretary of State’s office under Republican leadership and inside the Attorney General’s office.
Monica Yatooma
Bio: Monica Yatooma is a Michigan businesswoman committed to restoring integrity, transparency, and accountability to state government, with experience in highly regulated environments.
State Senate – District 19
District 19 covers Kalamazoo County. The seat is open as incumbent Sean McCann (D) is term-limited. Filing deadline is April 21, 2026.
Republican candidate information coming soon. Check back for updates.
State House – Kalamazoo County
District 40
Republican candidate information coming soon. Filing deadline is April 21, 2026.
District 41
Republican candidate information coming soon. Filing deadline is April 21, 2026.
District 42 – Matt Hall (Speaker of the House)
Bio: Matt Hall is a Constitutional Attorney serving his fourth term as State Representative from Southwest Michigan. He is the 79th Speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives since January 2025. A Western Michigan University graduate, Hall earned his Juris Doctor from WMU-Cooley Law School and served as the West Michigan liaison for the Michigan Department of Attorney General. District 42 includes portions of Kalamazoo and Allegan counties.
Contact Information:
5455 Gull Rd, STE D #147, Kalamazoo, MI 49048
Info@electmatthall.com
(269) 218-1102
electmatthall.com
For the most current candidate filings, visit the Kalamazoo County Clerk’s Office.
Local Candidates – Kalamazoo County
County Commissioner and local candidate information will be updated as filings are submitted. The filing deadline for local candidates is April 21, 2026.
For more information, contact:
Kalamazoo County Republican Party
candidates@kgop.us
Important Dates
- March 28, 2026: Republican State Convention (Attorney General & Secretary of State nominations)
- April 21, 2026: Filing deadline for State House Districts 40, 41, 42, State Senate District 19, and local candidates
- August 4, 2026: Primary Election
- November 3, 2026: General Election
This page is maintained by the Kalamazoo County Republican Party and updated weekly.
Contact: candidates@kgop.us