Tuscola County, Michigan

Michigan Senate District 26

See where Johnson and Bierlein stand on housing, schools and health care. Names follow official Tuscola County election filings.

About this race

Brendan J. Johnson (Democratic), Matthew Bierlein (Republican) are on the November 3 ballot for Michigan Senate District 26. Not on the November ballot: Kevin Daley, the sitting member per the roster. Nominees were chosen at the August 4, 2026 primary, per the Michigan Secretary of State's official results; Michigan prints unopposed candidates rather than deeming them elected. This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.

What this office does

State legislator. State legislators write and vote on state laws and the state budget, which fund schools, roads, prisons, universities and health programs, and set the rules for local governments and elections. Each member represents one district and serves on committees that shape bills before a floor vote. Terms are two years in most state houses and four in most state senates.

This race. Elected by district: only voters who live in the district see this race on their ballot.

This list comes from official election records but may be incomplete. It can miss, for example, late or petition candidates and some city, school and district races. Your official sample ballot is the final word.

We use AI to research and write election information. Errors are possible. Verify important details with official sources.

Michigan › Tuscola County › Michigan Senate District 26

Brendan J. Johnson

Democratic

Top priorities

From the campaign site

Constituent-focused service: help cutting through state bureaucracy
Affordability: car insurance reform and protecting the Healthy Michigan Plan
Public school funding reform

Biography

Brendan J. Johnson grew up on his family's old dairy farm in Fostoria and has worked as a grocery clerk, IT technician, construction laborer, school photographer and licensed chauffeur; today he works full-time in IT, per his campaign site. He centers his campaign on constituent service, pledging to help any resident who gets the runaround from the state on a permit, a license or a question, regardless of how they voted, per the campaign site.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Matthew Bierlein

Republican

Biography

Matthew Bierlein has represented Michigan's 97th House District since 2023 and previously worked in manufacturing as a machine operator, purchasing manager and production manager, according to the Michigan House Republicans caucus site. He served as a Tuscola County commissioner from 2013 to 2019 and owns a physical therapy practice with his wife, Dr. Mindy Bierlein, in Frankenmuth and Bridgeport. He is running for the open 26th Senate District.

Next on your ballotMichigan House District 67

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Voting info and more

Questions about this race

Who is running for Michigan Senate District 26 in 2026?

2 candidates are tracked for Michigan Senate District 26 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Brendan J. Johnson and Matthew Bierlein. Candidate information follows official Tuscola County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below. See where they stand on housing, schools and health care.

When is the Michigan Senate District 26 election in Michigan?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Michigan are on the Michigan election hub at theballotbrief.com.

How do I see my exact Tuscola County ballot?

Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official Tuscola County and state election office filings. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

Cross-check with the official Michigan election office, or see the full Tuscola County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Tuscola County ballot

5 tracked races in Tuscola County, Michigan. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

Also on your ballot

Michigan House District 97 Michigan House District 98 Michigan Senate District 25 See all 5 Tuscola County races

Candidate profiles

Brendan J. Johnson, full profile Matthew Bierlein, full profile Official Michigan election office