GRAYLING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Michigan’s 1st Congressional District is supposed to be a quiet GOP stronghold heading into 2026 – but Justin Michal, the Army-veteran-turned-candidate from Grayling, appears to have tripped over the starting line before the race has even begun. Michal is running against Republican incumbent Rep. Jack Bergman, a former Lieutenant General in the United States Marine Corps, in the 1st District. The district encompasses all of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan and also a large swath of lower Northern Michigan.
While the district itself is vast and steady, the race within it has taken an unexpected turn after a West Michigan Politics exposé from a political-news/commentary site revealed a social-media history from Michal that is raising significant concerns before the race even gets going.
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The social media posts, with screenshots included in the story, show everything from praising a foreign invasion of America to waxing nostalgic about life in Saudi Arabia, all while tossing in racist comments, bragging about cheating, and unsolicited commentary about gay sexual activity.
Bergman drops the hammer.
Incumbent Rep. Jack Bergman, retired Marine Lieutenant General didn’t mince words after being asked about Michal’s posts. Bergman told the Washington Reporter, who contacted him about Michal’s social media posts, “Having served 40 years in the Marine Corps, I know this to be true: there’s no such thing as ‘a little integrity.’ It’s something you either have or you don’t have.”
Bergman went on to say, “When someone spreads lies about my faith, makes terrible racist posts, or publicly wishes someone would invade the United States, it says far more about their character and integrity than mine…I hope he finds the help he needs to begin building a life built on truth and humility.”
Who else is running for the seat?
Bergman and Michal aren’t the only candidates running for the seat. The Democratic opponents include Callie Barr, a Traverse City veteran advocate, attorney, and former educator; Traverse City entrepreneur Wayne Stiles; and Marquette-area community organizer Kyle Blomquist. There is also an independent candidate – Zebulon Hart Featherly. None of Michal’s opposing candidates would comment on Michal’s posts when contacted by Michigan News Source.
What is the West Michigan Politics website and who is Brandon Hall?
Brandon Hall is the longtime operator of the West Michigan Politics blog, which has published political stories since at least 2011. But he brings his own baggage. A former Trump campaign volunteer, Hall was convicted in 2016 in Ottawa County Circuit Court on 10 felony counts of election fraud for forging signatures on judicial nominating petitions in 2012 according to multiple media reports. Politics Central, another political commentary website, has also reported additional legal troubles tied to him.
A campaign unraveling in real time?
Michal has not responded to any media outlets about the posts including West Michigan Politics, the Washington Reporter or Michigan News Source. However, unless Michal steps forward with an explanation for his posts – or even a basic apology – his campaign risks being defined entirely by social media posts he has yet to defend or deny.
