Bergman defeats Barr again to earn sixth term in Congress
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Defying Democrats' efforts to rally support in northern Michigan, U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman has won reelection in the state's 1st Congressional District, defeating Traverse City attorney Callie Barr.
When the Associated Press called the race at 1:09 a.m., unofficial results showed Bergman, R-Watersmeet, had won 53.2% of the vote while Barr received 44.7%.
Bergman will serve his sixth term as representative for Michigan's 1st Congressional District, which includes the entirety of the state's Upper Peninsula, and the northern portion of the Lower Peninsula.
Bergman and Barr previously faced off in 2024. Bergman prevailed, leading Barr by more than 20% of the vote.
In the lead-up to election night, Bergman faced repeated criticisms for his participation in a taxpayer-funded program reimbursing representatives' housing and meal expenses and was the subject of a Detroit News investigation that found he was living in a Washington, D.C. home sold to his daughter by campaign supporters, though Bergman's campaign maintains he paid fair market value for his rent on the home "and is in full compliance with House Ethics."
However, the negative press and attacks from his opponents were not enough to flip the northern Michigan district.
In a statement shared to Facebook, Bergman thanked residents of the 1st Congressional for placing their trust in him once again.
"While tonight was a tough night for Republicans, there is no shortage of work ahead of us to get our Nation back on track," Bergman said. "Americans are rightly frustrated with inflation, reckless government spending, and the direction of our Nation. They deserve leaders who will listen, stand firm, and deliver results."
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