Republican Candidate for Governor: John James
WHY ABC MEMBERS ARE WATCHING
For Michigan’s construction industry, the governor’s race has significant implications. The next administration will influence regulations, workforce and education policy, infrastructure investment, energy policy, taxation and Michigan’s approach to attracting and retaining businesses—all issues that directly affect contractors and their employees.
James has made reducing regulations and taxes central pieces of his economic platform and has called for greater accountability in state infrastructure spending. His campaign has also placed particular emphasis on skilled-trades education and addressing shortages in occupations including electricians and welders. His workforce proposal includes tax incentives for businesses investing in scholarships for students pursuing skilled trades and other high-demand careers.
For Southeast Michigan contractors, those positions intersect with challenges ABC members are already confronting: finding enough skilled workers, maintaining a competitive business environment and ensuring the region has the infrastructure and energy necessary to support future development.
ABC CONNECTION
James has an established relationship with ABC and Southeast Michigan’s construction community. ABC of Michigan has endorsed him in the 2026 gubernatorial race and recognizes him as an ABC Champion. That connection was on display on primary election night, when James chose ABC SEMI as the location for his August 4 watch party. More than 200 ABC members, business and community leaders, supporters and members of the public gathered as results came in and James secured the Republican nomination for governor.
THE BOTTOM LINE FOR ABC MEMBERS:
Michigan’s next governor will have considerable influence over the environment in which contractors compete, hire, train and build. For ABC SEMI members, the James-Benson race is one to watch closely as voters decide who will lead Michigan for the next four years.
Republican Candidate for U.S. Senate: Mike Rogers
WHY ABC MEMBERS ARE WATCHING
Michigan’s open U.S. Senate seat will give voters the opportunity to choose a new voice for the state in Washington following Sen. Gary Peters’ decision not to seek reelection. For ABC members, the stakes include federal policies affecting taxes, regulation, energy, infrastructure, workforce development and the overall environment in which contractors do business.
Rogers brings previous congressional experience to the race, having represented Michigan in the U.S. House and served as chairman of the House Intelligence Committee. His campaign has emphasized economic growth, national security and strengthening American industry.
For Southeast Michigan contractors in particular, federal decisions surrounding energy, manufacturing, infrastructure and workforce have the potential to significantly influence the region’s construction market and future project opportunities.
ABC CONNECTION
ABC of Michigan has endorsed Rogers for U.S. Senate and recognizes him as an ABC Champion, reflecting his record and alignment with key merit shop priorities. ABC SEMI members also had the opportunity to engage directly with Rogers this summer when he joined local construction and business leaders for a July 31 industry roundtable. The conversation focused on building Michigan’s future and gave members an opportunity to discuss the issues they are experiencing firsthand.
THE BOTTOM LINE FOR ABC MEMBERS:
Michigan’s next U.S. senator will have a voice in federal decisions that can directly affect contractors—from workforce and energy policy to taxes, regulation and infrastructure investment. With an open seat and significant economic issues ahead, the Rogers-El-Sayed race will be one of Michigan’s most consequential elections for the business and construction communities.
Republican Candidate for U.S. Congress: Mike Bouchard
WHY ABC MEMBERS ARE WATCHING
Michigan’s 10th Congressional District sits directly in ABC SEMI’s backyard, making this one of the most locally significant federal races for Southeast Michigan members. Bouchard is running for the open congressional seat in a district that includes communities across southern Macomb County as well as Rochester and Rochester Hills. A U.S. Army veteran, Bouchard has made Michigan manufacturing, economic growth and reducing regulatory burdens on businesses key pieces of his campaign.
For ABC SEMI members, representation in MI-10 matters. The district is home to contractors, suppliers, manufacturers and skilled-trades professionals whose businesses are affected by federal decisions involving taxes, regulation, workforce, energy, infrastructure and economic development.
ABC CONNECTION
ABC of Michigan has endorsed Bouchard in the MI-10 race and recognizes him as an ABC Champion. Bouchard has also developed a direct relationship with ABC SEMI and its members throughout the 2026 election cycle. He participated in workforce development roundtable discussions with Southeast Michigan industry leaders and joined members at ABC SEMI’s Annual Picnic in August. Those interactions have given ABC members opportunities to discuss the workforce and business challenges facing contractors directly with a candidate seeking to represent many of the communities where they live, work and build.
THE BOTTOM LINE FOR ABC MEMBERS:
For ABC SEMI, few congressional races hit closer to home. The next representative from MI-10 will carry the voice of much of Macomb and portions of Oakland County to Washington. For contractors operating in Southeast Michigan, this race is an opportunity to determine who will represent the region as Congress considers policies directly affecting construction, manufacturing, workforce development and the business climate.
Republican Candidate for U.S. Congress: Tom Barrett
WHY ABC MEMBERS ARE WATCHING
Congressman Tom Barrett is seeking reelection in Michigan’s 7th Congressional District after beginning his first term in Congress in 2025. While MI-07 falls outside ABC SEMI’s immediate Southeast Michigan footprint, Barrett’s race is important to ABC members as part of the larger balance of Michigan’s congressional delegation and the direction of federal policy affecting the merit shop construction industry. Decisions made by Congress affect contractors throughout Michigan regardless of district lines. Federal tax policy, labor and employment regulations, infrastructure investment, energy policy and workforce issues all have implications for the cost of doing business and the ability of ABC members to compete for work.
As an incumbent, Barrett also enters the race with a congressional record ABC members can evaluate alongside his previous service in the Michigan Legislature.
ABC CONNECTION
ABC of Michigan has endorsed Barrett for reelection and recognizes him as an ABC Champion, reflecting his support for policies important to Michigan’s merit shop construction industry. His relationship with ABC predates his current congressional term, giving the association a record on which to evaluate his positions and engagement with issues affecting contractors and employers.
For ABC members, maintaining relationships with lawmakers who understand merit shop construction is particularly important when federal proposals affecting labor policy, workforce development, taxes and the regulatory environment come before Congress.
THE BOTTOM LINE FOR ABC MEMBERS:
Although MI-07 is outside Southeast Michigan, the outcome matters to ABC members statewide. Every member of Michigan’s congressional delegation has a role in determining the federal policies under which contractors operate. Barrett’s reelection campaign gives voters an opportunity to evaluate an incumbent whom ABC of Michigan has identified as an ABC Champion and endorsed for another term in Washington.
