Polling Average
5%4%3%2%1%0%
Republican
Bernadette Smith
Republican
Bernadette Smith
Michigan Republican Senate nominee?
$3.5K
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 candidate for the U.S. Senate in Michigan in the 2026 election cycle. She has an authorized principal campaign committee, Bernadette Smith for US Senate, and filed a statement of candidacy with the Federal Election Commission on November 11, 2025. She has been described as a former co-chair of the Michigan Republican Party (2025).
SourcesShowHide
fec.govdocquery.fec.goven.wikipedia.orgsenate.mi.govelectionstats.kentcountymi.govmichiganadvance.commichiganrepublicanprimary.comdl1.en-us.nina.azthecandidate.comprojects.propublica.orgmichiganpublic.orgcoinbase.comclinton-county.orghouse.mi.govmha.orgbernadettesmithforussenate.comyahoo.comlegislature.mi.govbernadettesmith.netgtgop.orgnewsfromthestates.comsenate.michigan.govnwlcactionfund.orgcapitol.legislature.mi.govwdet.orgkentcountygop.comwashingtonpost.comaxios.comapnews.comwikidata.orgsenate.govdurbin.senate.govhistory.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 6, 2026
Bernadette Smith is in the news as a candidate tied to the 2026 election cycle, with Michigan’s primary and general election dates now set and the state expected to be part of a competitive Senate landscape. Recent coverage also centers on voting rules and election access, including Supreme Court arguments over mail-in ballots and the proposed SAVE Act, which could change voter registration requirements. Broader midterm reporting highlights major Democratic spending on child care and affordability issues, which may shape the political environment around her race.
fec.gov+32
Articles
TOThe Oregonian3 months ago
A $50 million push aims to make child care a big issue in midterm elections
Positive
DFDetroit Free Press3 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 Report3 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