Polling Average
5%4%3%2%1%0%
Republican
Bernadette Smith
Michigan Republican Senate nominee?
$3.8K
AUG 5, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current rolePolitical candidate
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyConservative Republican
GenderFemale
LocationMichigan
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BackgroundPolitical candidate
Notable personal detailsBernadette Smith is a Republican political activist in Michigan and a candidate for the U.S. Senate in 2026. She filed a Statement of Candidacy with the Federal Election Commission and has an authorized campaign committee, Bernadette Smith for U.S. Senate. She has served in leadership roles within the Michigan Republican Party, including as co-chair.
SourcesShowHide
fec.govmichigan.govbernadettesmithforussenate.comen.wikipedia.orgmichiganadvance.comelectionstats.kentcountymi.govsenate.govohioelectionhq.comfoxnews.comisidewith.combernadettesmith.netgraahi.orgstjosephcountymi.govlegislature.mi.govassets.nationbuilder.comyahoo.comgtgop.orgnewsfromthestates.comsenate.michigan.govnwlcactionfund.orgcapitol.legislature.mi.govwdet.orgkentcountygop.comdetroitnews.comballotpedia.orgfreep.comwinnipegsun.comcbc.camysteinbach.cafacebook.cominstagram.comlocalcandidates.orgdocquery.fec.govcongress.govgovinfo.govballotready.orghistory.house.govslotkin.senate.govdemocrats.senate.govclerk.house.gov
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
The candidate supports cutting federal spending, balancing the budget, reducing waste, and opposing what she calls "Washington’s reckless spending." She emphasizes rebuilding manufacturing, empowering small businesses, and fiscal discipline rather than increased government spending.
Healthcare
Supports keeping healthcare decisions between families and doctors rather than government; prioritizes affordable options, mental health access, and reforms that emphasize patient choice and reduced government involvement.
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Immigration & Border
Supports stronger border enforcement, including finishing the border wall and ending "catch-and-release," and favors immigration reforms framed around protecting citizens and combating cartels. Emphasizes securing the border as a priority for public safety and order.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
The candidate positions emphasize faith, family, and life and present a pro-life stance that opposes abortion. Campaign materials and reporting describe the candidate as staunchly anti-abortion.
Climate & Energy
Supports an ‘all-of-the-above’ energy strategy prioritizing energy independence that includes American oil, gas, nuclear, and next-generation clean energy, with an emphasis on protecting jobs and the Great Lakes. Positions favoring domestic fossil fuel production alongside clean energy incentives align with a market-driven, energy-independence approach rather than aggressive emissions phase-out mandates.
Public Safety & Guns
The candidate emphasizes "law and order," states she stands with law enforcement and victims, and says she will defend the Constitution and individual freedoms. Her campaign platform frames public safety around supporting police, accountability, and preserving constitutional rights. There is no explicit endorsement of specific gun-control measures on the campaign site.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedJun 25, 2026
Bernadette Smith is in the news as a candidate in the run-up to the 2026 midterms, with Michigan’s primary and general election dates now set. Recent coverage also highlights major national election fights over mail-in voting rules and the SAVE Act, both of which could affect how voters register and cast ballots. Broader midterm coverage shows Democrats are leaning hard into affordability issues like child care, which may shape the political environment around her race.
fec.gov+39
Articles
TOThe Oregonian3 months ago
A $50 million push aims to make child care a big issue in midterm elections
Positive
DFDetroit Free Press4 months ago
When is Michigan's 2026 primary election? Dates to know
Neutral
WEWashington Examiner3 months ago
Supreme Court’s tariffs ruling scrambles Michigan midterm campaigns
Neutral
UNU.S. News & World Report4 months ago
Factbox-Eight US Senate Races to Watch in the 2026 Midterm Elections
Neutral
Polls
Michigan Republican Senate nominee?
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Total raisedCash on hand
$53.8K
$40.4K
$26.9K
$13.5K
$0
2026
LatestYear
Total raised
Cash on hand
Total spent
Burn rate
Cycle 2026
$53.8K
$1.3K
$52.5K
$3.5K
Source: FEC
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Endorsements