With the November 3rd elections fast approaching, The Ripon Forum thought it would be helpful to look at some of the top Republican candidates running for office this year. To that end, we recently approached some of the party’s top strategists with one question — when you look across the country, who are the GOP candidates Americans will be reading and hearing more about next year?
The strategists included: National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) Executive Director Micah Yousefi, Congressional Leadership Fund (CLF) President Chris Winkelman, National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC) Executive Director Jennifer DeCasper, and Republican Governors Association (RGA) Executive Director Sara Craig Gongol.
Candidates for the U.S. House
Mike Bouchard, Jr. (MI-10) — Bouchard is running to fill the seat vacated by Republican Congressman John James, who is seeking Michigan’s governorship. An Army veteran and son of longtime Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard, Sr., Bouchard is a Bronze Star recipient making his first bid for public office.
A Michigan State ROTC graduate who served in the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions and earned his Bronze Star fighting ISIS on a joint task force, Bouchard entered the race in November 2025 fresh off a nine-month Iraq deployment and quickly emerged as the clear frontrunner in a crowded primary — securing a full endorsement from President Trump in June that was quickly followed by backing from all four top House GOP leaders and a victorious primary election night in August.
“With deep roots, a record of service, and proven commitment to fighting for his community, Mike Bouchard is exactly the kind of candidate Michigan voters are looking for,” Yousefi observed. “He’s spent his life answering the call to serve, and now he’s ready to bring that same leadership and dedication to Washington.”
MI-10, which covers southern Macomb County and parts of Oakland County, was considered Michigan’s only competitive Republican House primary and one of the nation’s top toss-up races heading into November.
Laurie Buckhout (NC-01) – Laurie Buckhout may ring a bell for North Carolinians. A retired Army Colonel and local business leader, she is aiming to replace incumbent Democratic Rep. Don Davis in the U.S. House. The two faced off in 2024 with Davis coming out on top by nearly 6,000 votes.
Returning in 2026 with a more favorable district and her “mission-first” approach to governance, Buckhout spent the time since her narrow loss serving as the Pentagon’s acting assistant secretary of cybersecurity under Trump, adding to a 26-year Army career as a decorated combat commander.
“Laurie Buckhout has spent a lifetime serving her country and leading under pressure, making her the kind of leader North Carolina needs in Congress,” Yousefi stated. “After a distinguished military career, she’s ready to finish the job and take her mission-focused leadership to Washington to fight for North Carolina families.”
Greg Cunningham (NM-02) – Adding to the wave of veterans running this cycle is lifelong New Mexican Greg Cunningham — a Marine combat veteran, former Albuquerque Police detective, and small business owner. He’ll face Democratic Rep. Gabe Vasquez in November.
“After a career in law enforcement spent combating drug cartels and protecting communities, Greg Cunningham knows firsthand what’s at stake for New Mexico families,” Yousefi shared. “His background is a perfect contrast to Gabe Vasquez, who has spent his career fighting to defund the police and supporting open borders.”
Cunningham has leaned heavily on his law enforcement background in the race, making public safety a central campaign theme, while also betting that his own Hispanic roots can help Republicans make inroads with a historically Democratic voting bloc — a strategy that’s earned him Trump’s endorsement, NRCC backing, and a spot in what’s shaping up to be one of the most competitive races of the cycle.
Eric Flores (TX-34) – A former Texas Army National Guard Infantry Captain is throwing his hat in the ring to replace Democratic Congressman Vicente Gonzalez this November. The Rio Grande native has quite the résumé — serving as a city attorney and municipal judge in Alton before serving as an assistant U.S. Attorney, where he prosecuted human smuggling along our nation’s southern border. Texas’ 34th Congressional district gives House Republicans a necessary and unique pickup opportunity in the Lone Star State since Gonzalez won the seat by only 3 points and President Trump carried the district in 2024.
“Eric Flores is a proven prosecutor who took on cartels and violent criminals. He’ll bring that same toughness and sense of duty to Congress to deliver the border security and public safety South Texans deserve,” Yousefi noted.
Paul LePage (ME-02) – The 74th Governor of Maine is looking to return to public service this November, running to replace retiring Democratic Congressman Jared Golden. From humble beginnings, a young Paul LePage began his career at a lumber company – aptly fitting for the man who would come to govern The Pine Tree State. He first entered public service on the Waterville City Council in the late 1990s, serving until 2002.
In 2003, he was elected Mayor of Waterville, where among his many achievements he grew the city’s reserve fund from $1 million to $10 million. He continued as mayor until his swearing-in as Maine’s first Republican governor since 1995, in January 2011.
“Few candidates have a record of delivering real conservative results like Paul LePage. After serving two successful terms as governor, he’s ready to take his proven leadership to Washington and fight for Maine families once again,” Yousefi declared.
There are plenty more candidates to watch across the country. Chris Winkelman explains:
“When you look across the map for 2026, the strength of our slate comes down to two things: candidate quality and district fit.
We have a whole host of formidable candidates that showcase the growing strength of the Republican Party and the diversity of our slate. This cycle, we have veterans and active national guardsmen, small business owners, former governors, local elected officials, law enforcement officers, a former district attorney, teachers, and even professional athletes who come from all different walks of life and bring rich personal and professional backgrounds as they step up to flip seats or hold open seats.
We’re seeing exceptional talent across key battleground districts—from suburban seats in the Sun Belt to manufacturing hubs in the Industrial Midwest. Rather than singling out just one or two individuals, the real story for 2026 is how effectively our candidates reflect their communities. These are disciplined, strong fundraisers and effective communicators who know how to win in tough, competitive territory.”
Candidates for the U.S. Senate
Ashley Hinson (IA) – A former newscaster and mother of two, Ashley Hinson is looking to fill retiring Senator Joni Ernst’s seat in the U.S. Senate. No stranger to a competitive race, Hinson has proudly served the people of the Hawkeye State since she was sworn into the Iowa State House in 2017, later taking that service to the federal level when she flipped Iowa’s 1st Congressional District in 2020. In Congress, she serves on the House Appropriations Committee and the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party — assignments that reflect her focus on fiscal responsibility, agriculture, and national securit
Before entering politics, Hinson spent more than a decade as a reporter and anchor at KCRG-TV in Cedar Rapids, earning two Midwest Regional Emmy Awards along the way. Her time on air, covering the issues facing Iowa families firsthand, laid the groundwork for a political career built on the same instincts
According to DeCasper, Hinson is a force to be reckoned with: “Ashley Hinson is bringing her fierce fight for Iowa farmers from the House to the Senate this November. She’s going to crush Josh Turek, who has already sold his soul to Chuck Schumer and promised to raise taxes on working families while funneling more of Iowans’ money to illegal aliens and big-government waste.”
Mike Rogers (MI) – Another candidate who previously served in his state legislature and the U.S. House of Representatives, former House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Rogers proudly represented Michigan’s 8th Congressional District from 2001 to 2015. Now he’s seeking to fill the seat of retiring Senator Gary Peters (D). The former FBI special agent was born and raised in the Mitten and looks forward to bringing his experience in national security and law enforcement to the U.S. Senate.
“Under NRSC Chairman Tim Scott’s leadership, Senate Republicans are recruiting fighters who are ready to hold Democrats accountable and lock down our Senate majority,” DeCasper stated. “Currently leading the polls in Michigan’s marquee race, Mike Rogers is one of those fighters. No matter who he goes up against in November, his proven record of getting results will finally end the Democrats’ decades-long stranglehold in the state.”
Candidates for Governor
Byron Donalds (FL) – From humble beginnings in a single-parent household in Brooklyn, Byron Donalds built a career in finance and public service, and now brings that hard-earned perspective to his campaign to succeed Governor Ron DeSantis. With deep ties to Southwest Florida, a strong conservative voting record in Congress, and the backing of President Trump’s endorsement, Byron Donalds’ campaign has real momentum behin
“Bryon Donalds has proven he is one of the strongest fundraisers in the country. Add in his compelling personal story and his record of delivering for the people of Florida, Donalds is one of the most formidable candidates on the ballot in 2026,” Gongol stated.
Zach Lahn (IA) – Also taking place in the Hawkeye State is a closely-watched gubernatorial race as Zach Lahn campaigns to succeed outgoing Governor Kim Reynolds (R). The sixth-generation Iowan has deep family roots in Belle Plaine, where he restored a house on his family’s land and now farms. Beyond agriculture, he built a career as an entrepreneur and educator.
“The genuine connection Zach Lahn has developed with grassroots voters in Iowa is undeniable,” Gongol noted. “Through his authenticity, fresh ideas, and willingness to talk about tough issues facing voters, Lahn is showing the kind of leader he would be as governor.”
Vivek Ramaswamy (OH) – As term-limited Governor Mike DeWine (R) looks to who to pass the torch to, Vivek Ramaswamy is eager to take it. The Cincinnati native built his career as a biotech entrepreneur before mounting the youngest campaign of the 2024 Republican presidential primary, ultimately dropping out to endorse Donald Trump. He briefly co-chaired the Department of Government Efficiency before stepping down to launch his gubernatorial bid, officially entering the race in February 2026 and winning the GOP nomination in May.
“As an accomplished business leader and problem solver, Vivek is not constrained by conventional thinking. He knows firsthand the importance of the American Dream and has proven that he will fight to keep it alive for all Ohioans. His message is simple and digestible: lower costs, bigger paychecks, and better schools,” said Gongol.
Ramaswamy carries President Trump’s full endorsement into a general election against Democrat Amy Acton, the state’s former health director best known for leading Ohio’s COVID-19 response — a matchup that has quickly become one of the most closely watched governor’s races in the country.
Tom Tiffany (WI) – Current Member of Congress Tom Tiffany is campaigning to be the next Governor of the Badger State. Tiffany has represented the state’s seventh congressional district since winning a special election in May 2020, but his roots in state government run much deeper: he served in both the Wisconsin State Assembly and State Senate, where he led the charge to create jobs and cut taxes.
A lifelong Wisconsinite, Tiffany spent 20 years running a northern Wisconsin riverboat excursion business with his wife, and nearly three decades working as a dam tender — a job that earned him the nickname “the dam man,” one he wears as a badge of honor.
“Nobody is outworking Tom Tiffany on the campaign trail,” Gongol stated. “From packed events across the state to ads on television, it’s clear to voters that Tiffany is a humble public servant and a fierce defender of Wisconsin values. Compared to the chaos and socialism preached by Wisconsin Democrats, Tiffany is in a strong position heading into November.”
Caroline Banaszak-Thomas is Deputy Editor of The Ripon Forum and former staffer for the Honorable Fred Upton (MI-06).