Trump-backed Bronze Star veteran secures party nod in must-win district

Bronze Star veteran and Republican congressional candidate Michael Bouchard won a GOP primary on Tuesday evening in a bid to represent Michigan’s 10th Congressional District after receiving an endorsement from President Donald Trump.

Republicans are hoping Bouchard’s storied credentials and message of righting the country’s direction are enough to carry the district as the GOP looks to hold onto its slim majority in the U.S. House of Representatives.

But the district is far from a guarantee.

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Incumbent Rep. John James, R-Mich., last won reelection in 2024 in a 51.1% to 45.0% victory over Democratic challenger Carl Marlinga, a judge and former prosecutor.

The cycle before that, James beat out Marlinga by a narrow 48.8% to 48.3% win in 2022.

James, who enjoyed the benefit of incumbency, announced he would vacate the seat and instead pursue a gubernatorial bid, calling it a way to secure Michigan’s prosperity for future generations.

"My family, like countless others, came to our great state for the better opportunities our manufacturing and automotive industries offered and to live the American dream," James said in a statement.

Bouchard is highlighting his time in the military as a member of the 82nd and the 101st Airborne Divisions. He was deployed to Iraq as well as the U.S. southern border. Like James, who also has a military background, Bouchard was awarded a Bronze Star for his service with the joint task force against ISIS.

Bouchard, a political newcomer who hasn’t held office previously, is pitching himself as a continued part of the country's shift away from the direction of the previous administration.

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"Under President Trump, I led missions on the southern border; back then we got the job done. But on day one, Joe Biden shut us all down; he opened the border," Bouchard said in a campaign video.

"Human trafficking, drug smuggling, known terrorists walked right in," he continued. "The Army taught me that weak leadership has consequences and I’m ready to lead America back."

On his website, Bouchard has highlighted fostering American manufacturing, finishing the southern border wall and increasing parental participation in education systems.

Trump issued an endorsement of Bouchard in a post to Truth Social earlier this year.

"A third-generation Michigander, brave U.S. Army veteran and Bronze Star recipient Mike has served his state and nation with distinction and will bring that same fighting spirit to the U.S. Congress," Trump wrote.

"Mike Bouchard has my complete and total endorsement to be the next representative from Michigan’s 10th congressional district," he added.

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Notably, Bouchard has also attracted endorsements from other key congressional figures, such as U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., Majority Whip Tom Emmer, R-Minn., and GOP Conference Chair Lisa McClain, R-Mich.

Having cleared the Republican primary, Bouchard will head to the Nov. 3 general election.