Several candidates aspire to defeat currently-seated Congressman Jack Bergman, who has held the position in the U.S. House of Representatives for five terms — since 2017.

Throughout the district — which includes all of the Upper Peninsula and a number of counties in the northern Lower Peninsula — 11 groups have been organizing voter forums to give the candidates a chance to introduce themselves, and for the public to ask questions and consider which candidate might earn their vote.

Voters will first select the standout representatives of the two major parties in primaries in August. Running on the Republican ticket are Justin Michal, Matthew DenOtter and incumbent Bergman. Seeking the Democratic nomination are Wayne Stiles, Kyle Blomquist and Callie Barr.

One independent, Zebulon Featherly, is also running.

Kyle Blomquist, Democrat

The forum in Escanaba on March 19, which will be held in Room 952 of Bay College’s Heirman Center at 7 p.m., is organized by Delta County Unified. Four candidates committed to attend the event and appear before local voters: Blomquist, Featherly, Michal and Stiles.

“Our committee came up with possible questions, and we hope to engage the public by having them indicate their top priorities,” wrote Teresa Ross, VP of Delta County Unified.

The moderator will be Dr. June Klees from Bay College. Pat Freuh will be the assistant moderator.

Other similar forums in the district have already been held in Gaylord, Sault Ste. Marie, Menominee, Ironwood, and Houghton; after the event in Escanaba will be others in Marquette, Traverse City, Antrim, Sterling and Petoskey.

The deadline for candidates to file is in April. If no more enter the race, residents of Michigan’s First Congressional District will vote for the next person to represent them in the U.S. House of Representatives in Washington, D.C. out of three final candidates in November.

Zebulon Featherly, Independent

Wayne Stiles, Democrat

A map shows Michigan's First Congressional District, which includes all of the Upper Peninsula and a number of counties in the northern Lower Peninsula. (Contributed map)