Bouchard Jr. Vs. Hines For U.S. House: 2026 MI Preview

The battle to replace U.S. Representative John James, a Republican, is expected to be among the most competitive races in Michigan in November's midterm elections.

Army Captain and President Trump-endorsed Republican Mike Bouchard Jr. and attorney Christina Hines, a Democrat, are vying for Michigan's 10th congressional seat. The district includes southern Macomb County and Rochester Hills.

Bouchard Jr., who is the son of Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard, secured the Republican nomination after beating out Republicans Justin Kirk and Steffan Demetropoulos in August's primary elections.

"I got back from Iraq with a simple mission: keep Americans safe and lower costs for the hardworking families in this district," Bouchard Jr. said after winning the Republican nomination. "I look forward to the next few months discussing our platform and how we will take this district forward. God bless you all."

Christina Hines won the Democratic primary over Eric Chung and former Pontiac Mayor Tim Greimel.

Bouchard Jr., a member of the Army National Guard, has talked about strengthening U.S. national security.

He has also listed his top priorities, which include adding manufacturing jobs in the district and backing the "Parents’ Bill of Rights," which he says will give moms and dads a say in what their kids are being taught in schools.

Bouchard has made clear that he wants to advance Trump’s agenda in Congress. Before the primary, he told the Detroit News that he wanted to be Trump’s "ally in Congress."

"I want to show (Trump) that I'm the right person to win this, and I am. But more than that, I want to be his ally in Congress," Bouchard said.

He also told the newspaper that he thinks Trump's tariffs are "temporary," but added that "I'm against our country being taken advantage of."

Hines has cited affordability as a top concern, specifically President Trump's tariffs, which she believes have harmed the district's manufacturing sector.

She has also pointed to rising costs in health care, which they all have pledged to expand and make more affordable.

"As a mom of three, I know what’s on the line and that’s why it’ll be my mission to lower costs, protect Social Security and Medicare, fight for universal healthcare, create good-paying union jobs, and root out corruption to bring the change our families deserve," Hines said in a statement.

In a statement released after Hines clinched the Democratic nomination, Michigan Democratic Party Chair Curtis Hertel said Hines was exactly the leader the party needs to flip the Republican seat.

"Christina has spent her career fighting for justice and for the people too often left behind by the system," Hertel said. "She built her career as a prosecutor handling some of the state’s toughest cases and serving as an advocate for survivors of sexual assault and abuse. As a working mom raising three kids in Macomb County, she knows firsthand the pressures facing Michigan families — and she’s running for Congress to fight for them."

James won the seat by less than one percentage point in 2022 and about six points in 2024. He defeated Democratic nominee and former Macomb County Prosecutor Carl Marlinga both times.

The last Democrat to win the seat was David Bonior in 1992. He held the seat until 2002.

For full coverage of the 2026 election in Michigan, go here.