Former prosecutor Christina Hines is projected to win the Democratic nomination for Michigan’s 10th Congressional District, according to Decision Desk HQ. This sets up a closely-watched general election contest against GOP nominee Mike Bouchard in November 2026.

The seat became open after incumbent Rep. John James (R-Mich.) decided to run for governor, leaving the Macomb County district without an incumbent for the first time since its 2022 redistricting. This has made the district a key battleground for both parties in Michigan.

Hines emerged as the clear favorite in a three-way Democratic primary against former Commerce Department official Eric Chung and former state House Minority Leader Tim Greimel. Despite raising the least amount of money among the candidates, Hines held a 23-point lead over Chung in a poll commissioned by EMILY’s List, which endorsed her. She also secured endorsements from local elected officials in Macomb County and Carl Marlinga, the Democratic nominee in 2022 and 2024.

Her Republican opponent, Mike Bouchard, an Army veteran and son of Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard, won the GOP nomination after endorsements from former President Trump and House Republican leadership in June.

The district, covering Macomb County and a small part of Oakland County, has leaned slightly Republican in recent years. Trump won the district by 1 percentage point in 2020 and by 7 points in 2024. The Cook Political Report rates the race as “lean Republican” but notes it remains highly competitive.

Sources