Saginaw County, Michigan

Michigan House District 97

2 candidates are tracked for Michigan House District 97 on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Jack Bader and Briar Bearss. Candidate information follows official Saginaw County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

This is an open seat: sitting Rep. Matthew Bierlein is running for the 26th District Senate seat instead of re-election here, per the Michigan Secretary of State's official results. Democrat Brendan Johnson won the Democratic primary over Martin Cousineau, and Republican Matthew Bierlein won a five-candidate Republican primary, per the Michigan Secretary of State's official results. This contest is on the November 3, 2026 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.

Michigan › Saginaw County › Michigan House District 97

Jack Bader

Democratic

Top priorities

removing corporate PAC money from campaign financing
guaranteed healthcare coverage for Michigan residents
opposing new AI data center development in Michigan

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Jack Bader is a 29-year-old Realtor and small business owner from Vassar who works across Saginaw, Tuscola, Bay and Genesee counties, per ABC12 news. He is running as the Democratic nominee for the open District 97 seat. Jack Bader appears on the November 3, 2026 ballot for Michigan House District 97, per the county clerk's certified candidate list.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Briar Bearss

Republican

Top priorities

Renewing Michigan's manufacturing sector with low-tax, pro-business policy
Eliminating wasteful government spending and reducing the tax burden
Reforming education toward a workforce-minded system

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Bearss is a sixth-generation Mid-Michigander who graduated from West Point in 2022 and served as an Army officer, including a deployment supporting Ukraine operations in Eastern Europe and duty on the U.S. southern border in El Paso, Texas, before an honorable discharge and medical retirement as a captain in 2026, per the campaign site. During the COVID-19 pandemic he co-founded Bearss Residential with his twin brother, a company that provides housing for veterans and working families, per the campaign site. He grew up between Millington and Frankenmuth and is married to Chloe, per the campaign site.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

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Voting info and more

Questions about this race

Who is running for Michigan House District 97 in 2026?

When is the Michigan House District 97 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 Saginaw 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 Saginaw County and state election office filings, last verified October 2, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

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

The rest of your Saginaw County ballot

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

Also on your ballot

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Candidate profiles

Jack Bader, full profile Briar Bearss, full profile Official Michigan election office