Michigan Sheriff’s Son Announces Congressional Run

The son of a veteran sheriff in Michigan has officially announced his candidacy for Congress.

On Thursday, Captain Mike Bouchard declared he will seek the Republican nomination for Michigan’s 10th Congressional District seat. This seat is currently held by U.S. Rep. John James, who is running for governor.

“I’ve learned from my family that service is not just a catchphrase, but a responsibility,” Captain Bouchard stated in a press release. “Having served in our nation’s military and confronted threats overseas, I am now prepared to advocate for my community. This includes ensuring my family’s safety, safeguarding local jobs, and making America robust once again.”

Bouchard, who is a paratrooper and Bronze Star medalist, recently returned from a nine-month deployment in Iraq with the Michigan Army National Guard. However, he emphasizes his commitment to serving both his state and country in this new capacity.

“Michigan has the resources to win wars. It’s time to translate that into an economy that secures our future,” he remarked. “As fighters, we don’t give up. We adjust, we tackle challenges, and we pursue our purpose relentlessly. I plan to bring this mindset to Congress: stay mission-focused, make no excuses, and demand accountability. The people of Michigan deserve a representative who understands the mission and has the determination to accomplish it,” he continued.

In a recent statement outlining his campaign, Captain Bouchard frequently referenced former President Donald Trump, indicating a desire to run on a platform reminiscent of Trump’s agenda. He has identified public safety, veteran care, and revitalizing American manufacturing as crucial issues for his campaign.

“Michigan was pivotal in past wars, and now we aim to construct an economy that thrives for the future. The America First approach championed by President Trump positively influences our economy,” he added.

He has received strong backing from his father, Sheriff Mike Bouchard, who served nearly ten years in the Michigan State Legislature before taking on the role of sheriff in 1999 for the state’s wealthiest and second most populous county.

The sheriff described his son as a “fantastic individual” who is “incredibly suitable” to represent Michigan in Washington. He emphasized his son’s desire to serve and believes this role will leverage his experience effectively.

“He genuinely wants to make a difference,” the sheriff mentioned.

In addition to his father, prominent Michiganders such as rock musician Ted Nugent, former Michigan Governor John Engler and his wife, and others, have encouraged Captain Bouchard to pursue a congressional bid.

In response to inquiries regarding Captain Bouchard’s campaign, a representative for Rep. James expressed confidence about the current political dynamics and potential candidates for the Michigan 10th District seat.

Though James won decisively in 2022 and was easily re-elected in 2024, the 10th District has not always favored Republicans. It covers much of Macomb County and often serves as an indicator for presidential elections.

Other Republicans interested in running for this seat include state Rep. Joe Aragona and former Oakland County Republican Party Chairman Rocky Rushkowski. Additionally, assistant public prosecutor Robert Ruljuraj from Sterling Heights declared his candidacy in August.

On the Democratic side, candidates such as former Special Victims Prosecutor Christina Hynes, former state Rep. Tim Greimel, attorney Eric Chan, and U.S. Army veteran Alex Hawkins have made their intentions known, filling the race.