Army Veteran Mike Bouchard Jr. Emerges as GOP Contender in Michigan’s 10th Congressional Race

Detroit-area, MI — Michael “Mike” Bouchard Jr., an Army veteran and son of Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard, has officially launched his campaign for the U.S. House of Representatives in Michigan’s 10th Congressional District as part of the 2026 election cycle. The open seat — currently held by Rep. John James, who is running for governor — has attracted competitive interest from both Republican and Democratic contenders.

Bouchard Jr.’s candidacy was formally announced in early November 2025 shortly after he returned from a nine-month deployment to Iraq with the Army National Guard. A decorated military officer and Bronze Star recipient, Bouchard has framed his congressional bid around service, national security, and economic growth for Michigan families.

Fundraising Momentum Early in Campaign

Fundraising data from the first week of Bouchard Jr.’s campaign shows early momentum in what is expected to be a high-profile Republican primary. According to campaign finance reports shared with the Washington Examiner, Bouchard’s campaign raised more than $250,000 in its first week after launching on Nov. 6, 2025. The early haul is being presented by the campaign as a sign of strong grassroots and donor support as the race heats up.

Campaign officials say the funds raised will support early voter outreach, field organizing, and expanded digital advertising efforts throughout southeastern Michigan. Bouchard Jr. emphasized that the backing reflects confidence in his leadership and vision for the district, which includes Macomb County communities such as Warren, Sterling Heights, and Clinton Township.

A Competitive Field in a Battleground District

Michigan’s 10th District is widely viewed as one of the more competitive House seats in the 2026 cycle. While Bouchard Jr. seeks the Republican nomination, several Democratic candidates have already filed paperwork and reported significant campaign receipts ahead of the primary election scheduled for Aug. 4, 2026. Those Democrats include former U.S. Commerce Department official Eric Chung, Tim Greimel, and Christina Hines, among others. Financial disclosures from the Federal Election Commission show that these Democratic contenders have raised substantial sums — with Chung reporting $871,927 and Greimel $606,159 as of Sept. 30, 2025 — positioning the general election contest as a closely watched battle.

Political analysts note that early fundraising performance can help set the tone for the primary and general election phases, especially in open-seat districts where national and local interests are heavily invested.

Looking Ahead

With cash on hand and high-profile endorsements beginning to surface, Bouchard Jr.’s campaign appears poised to vie for the Republican nomination in what could be a pivotal race for control of the U.S. House in 2026. Voters and political observers will be watching closely as quarterly fundraising reports and polling figures continue to roll in over the coming months. Over the next few months, he will begin to form a campaign staff, with experience and relationships necessary to win the primary and general.