Todd Spangler
February 20, 2025 at 5:00:00 PM
A 30-year-old Army veteran from Rochester announced Thursday his intention to run as a Democrat in Michigan's 10th Congressional District next year, for a seat currently held by two-term U.S. Rep. John James, R-Shelby Township.
Alex Hawkins, who is also a reserve sheriff's deputy in Oakland County and bomb disposal officer in the Michigan National Guard, released a video announcing the run, making him the first Democrat to file to run in the district in the 2026 election.
Hawkins lost a Democratic primary in 2024 for the nomination in Michigan's 55th state House race, which was won by Trevis Harrold. Harrold lost to incumbent state Rep. Mark Tisdel, R-Rochester Hills.
James, after twice beating former Macomb County judge and prosecutor Carl Marlinga, would be considered a prohibitive favorite at this point to win reelection to a third two-year term. But James, a Republican businessman and former Army helicopter pilot who ran unsuccessful campaigns for U.S. Senate in 2018 and 2020, is the subject of wide speculation among political observers that he could run for higher office, such as Michigan's open governorship or open U.S Senate seat.
In his video, Hawkins described his upbringing in Michigan by a single mom after his father died by suicide when Hawkins was 8. He also described how his grandfather's military service helped lead him to join the Army and train as explosive ordnance disposal personnel.
“Throughout my life, I’ve answered the call to serve, and this moment calls for a new generation of leadership," Hawkins said. "The challenges facing our families these days are too great to let billionaires continue rigging our economy and dismantling our Constitution. I’m running for Congress to fight for the hardworking people of southeastern Michigan — the teachers like my sister who buy supplies out of their own pockets, the veterans I served with, and every family living paycheck to paycheck."
Michigan's 10th Congressional District includes southern Macomb County, as well as Rochester and Rochester Hills in eastern Oakland County. While considered a possible pickup opportunity for Democrats, the district has still been clearly trending toward Republicans in recent elections. If James does run for another office, it would likely lead to several other candidates from both parties jumping into the race.
Contact Todd Spangler: tspangler@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter@tsspangler.