Sterling Heights Republican Robert Lulgjuraj launched his campaign for Michigan’s 10th Congressional District on Aug. 7 to seek an open congressional seat in what could prove one of the most politically competitive races in 2026 and help decide which political party controls the U.S. House.
U.S. Rep. John James, R-Shelby Township, decided not to seek re-election and instead run for Michigan governor.
Lulgjuraj is a prosecutor with the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office and previously worked as a trial attorney at the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office, according to his campaign website.
“Democrats are now pushing forward radicals like Zohran Mamdani of New York who want more socialism and more government control over your lives,” Lulgjuraj said in a video posted on Facebook announcing his candidacy that references the New York mayoral candidate, whose name he mispronounces. “And I will fight every day to protect the American dream from socialist Democrats,” Lulgjuraj adds.
President Donald Trump endorsed James’ U.S. House campaigns in 2022 and 2024, but the president has raised concerns about his decision to vacate his seat. “You know he’s running for governor, but I’m not sure I’m happy about that, John. Do we have somebody good to take your seat?” Trump asked at a June ceremony at the White House during which the president approved a measure James sponsored to overturn a California vehicle emissions standard.
“Absolutely,” James said in response to Trump’s question.
Republicans hold a narrow 219-212 majority in the U.S. House.
In addition to Lulgjuraj, the GOP side of the race for Michigan’s 10th Congressional District includes open carry advocate Casey Armitage of Vassar, who filed a statement of candidacy with the Federal Election Commission in June. Candidates on the Democratic side of the race include former Commerce Department lawyer Eric Chung, Army veteran Alex Hawkins of Rochester, Pontiac Mayor Tim Greimel and former candidate for Macomb County prosecutor Christina Hines of Warren.
Michigan’s 10th Congressional District covers parts of Oakland and Macomb counties. In Macomb County, the district encompasses Center Line, Clinton Township, Eastpointe, Fraser, Harrison Township, Mount Clemens, Roseville, Shelby Township, St. Clair Shores, Sterling Heights, Utica and Warren and includes part of Macomb Township. The district also covers Oakland County’s Rochester and Rochester Hills.
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The district was drawn by an independent commission charged with creating fair voting districts in Michigan that don’t disproportionately benefit any political party. The first election held in the newly drawn 10th Congressional District was in 2022 when James beat former Macomb County judge and prosecutor Carl Marlinga by 0.49 percentage points or 1,600 votes of the 326,237 total cast. It was one of the closest U.S. House races that year. In 2024, James and Marlinga faced off again, but James defeated Marlinga by a more comfortable 6.14 percentage points or 26,074 votes of the total 425,301 cast.
To qualify for the August 2026 primary ballot, Democratic and Republican congressional candidates in Michigan must collect at least 1,000 voter signatures and file them by April 21, 2026.
Contact Clara Hendrickson at chendrickson@freepress.com or 313-296-5743.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Robert Lulgjuraj enters Michigan’s 10th Congressional District race
