Whitmer tags in to rally Democrats in some of Michigan’s most competitive congressional districts

With just days remaining in the 2026 election season, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer hit the road to help rally support for Democratic candidates running in fierce political battlegrounds.

Whitmer joined former prosecutor Christina Hines in Rochester, part of Michigan’s 10th Congressional District, Wednesday afternoon, stumping for Democrats up and down the ballot alongside outgoing U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Birmingham), Michigan Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids) and Theresa Brooks, who is running for Michigan’s 9th Senate District, another key battleground, trying to unseat incumbent Sen. Michael Webber (R-Rochester Hills).

Hines faces U.S. Army Capt. Mike Bouchard Jr., who has been endorsed by President Donald Trump. He is the son of  Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard.

Michigan’s 10th Congressional District encompasses southern Macomb County and a portion of eastern Oakland County, including Rochester and Rochester Hills. The district is currently represented by U.S. Rep. John James (R-Shelby Township), who opted against seeking reelection to run for governor.

While the nonpartisan Cook Political Report previously rated the district as “lean Republican” it adjusted its rating in August to “toss-up” meaning either party has a strong chance of winning the district.

Over the past month, Whitmer has campaigned alongside Democrats across the country through her role as vice chair of the Democratic Governor’s Association, telling reporters Wednesday that people across the nation are feeling the squeeze from Trump’s tariff policies and high fuel prices due to the war in Iran. 

“Whether I am talking to a sugar beet farmer in Saginaw, Michigan, or I am in Arizona with Katie Hobbs or Ohio with Dr. Amy Acton, people are all feeling the stress of how expensive everything is,” Whitmer said. “And that’s why, as you heard me talking with my fellow Michiganders here, you know we’ve got to make sure that we are listening and plotting a way to help people keep more money in their pockets because all the stress in Washington, D.C., is going to continue for the next two years, unfortunately.”

Hines emphasized that as a 36-year-old mother of three, she has felt the impact from the Trump administration’s policies, drawing a contrast between herself, James and her opponent.

“The reality is that people don’t want another version of John James, another rubber stamp, which is all that Michael Bouchard Jr. is. He has explicitly said that there’s not a single thing that he disagrees with Donald Trump over,” Hines said, citing a Feb. 19 Inside Elections article.

“He wants to continue Trump’s policies when he’s in Washington and be his ally. That is not what we need. That would hurt Michiganders. It would hurt the people in our district,” Hines continued, noting she would vote to get the U.S. out of the war in Iran to end the Trump administration’s tariffs and to fight back against corruption.

Bouchard’s Communications Director Jon Shiner said that the Republican candidate had been clear in his intent to work with and stand up to anyone on behalf of the district.

“He has called for the trade conflicts to end and will vote to end the war in Iran. He has the experience to deliver on both of these. All Hines does is play partisan politics,” Shiner said in an emailed statement.

Later in the afternoon, Whitmer joined Democratic nominee William Lawrence who is campaigning against the incumbent U.S. Rep. Tom Barrett (R-Charlotte) in the highly competitive 7th Congressional District.

“I say he’s their representative because he’s certainly not our representative. He doesn’t represent our interests. He does what Trump wants, and he does what his corporate donors want every single time it matters,” Lawrence said, while kicking off a canvass launch in Brighton, which Whitmer also attended.

Barrett campaign strategist Jason Roe told Michigan Advance that anyone who has paid attention to Barrett has recognized that he’s willing to break with Trump on a number of issues. 

“What Tom has done is represent the district,” Roe said, noting that Barrett had secured $146 million in federal funding for critical infrastructure, Michigan State University and the Lansing regional airport and helped return $6.5 million to constituents.

Roe said Barrett has also distinguished himself in Congress by proposing bills to prevent the federal government from overruling local officials on data centers, barring elected officials from signing nondisclosure agreements for data centers and legislation to reform campaign finances and the healthcare system.

Lawrence has campaigned heavily on data centers, calling for a one-year moratorium in order to develop regulations. He has also opposed corporate spending in politics and supported a single-payer healthcare system.