Bergman wins sixth term
Jack Bergman, U.S. House Representative since 2017, will continue to serve northern Michigan, according to unofficial results. (Courtesy photo)
Only four counties of the 35 in Michigan's first congressional district had a majority of voters vote Democratic during the November 2026 midterm. (Courtesy graphic)
Jack Bergman, U.S. House Representative since 2017, will continue to serve northern Michigan, according to unofficial results. (Courtesy photo)
Only four counties of the 35 in Michigan's first congressional district had a majority of voters vote Democratic during the November 2026 midterm. (Courtesy graphic)
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ESCANABA -- Upon receiving 53.1 percent of votes cast across the region, Republican Jack Bergman will continue to hold his position representing Michigan’s first congressional district in the United States House of Representatives. His projected defeat of Democratic candidate Callie Barr and five other challengers means that he will begin a sixth two-year term, having first taken office in 2017.
The role is to convey the interests of Michiganders from 35 counties -- the entire Upper Peninsula and 20 counties in the northern Lower -- on a national scale. The district, one of 13 in the state, covers 44 percent of the land in Michigan and seven percent of its population.
Barr had previously challenged Bergman for the position in 2024 and lost by a wider margin. Analysis of votes that year compared with data from Tuesday’s election show that every county in the district voted more Democratic in 2026 than two years ago, but it wasn’t enough to take the congressional seat from incumbent Bergman.
Michigan’s first congressional district has been represented by Republicans since 2011.
In Delta County, of straight-ticket voters, 62 percent voted Republican. This contrasts with the blue-leaning Marquette County, where 60 percent of straight-ticket votes were for the Democratic Party.
Bergman, who was endorsed by President Donald Trump, is known for his service in the United States Marine Corps, where he spent 40 years beginning in 1969. He retired at the rank of lieutenant general 17 years ago and maintains a primary residence in Watersmeet.
“I am honored that the people of Michigan's first district have once again placed their trust in me to represent them in Washington,” stated Bergman in a Facebook post after the race was called. “While tonight was a tough night for Republicans, there is no shortage of work ahead of us to get our nation back on track. Americans are rightly frustrated with inflation, reckless government spending, and the direction of our nation. They deserve leaders who will listen, stand firm, and deliver results.”
Barr’s statement on Wednesday, in part, reads: “More than anything, my love for this country remains absolute. Our democracy is strong because we participate, accept the will of the voters, and keep working together. I am happy for our country regardless of the outcome here in MI-01, and I wish the very best to our newly elected leaders as they take on the responsibility of moving us all forward.”