(Source: MIRS.news, Published 02/21/2025) The first Democrat to announce in the Macomb County-based 10th Congressional District is a U.S. Army veteran, bomb tech and an explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) officer for the U.S. Army National Guard. 

Alex Hawkins, 30, has a background in leading soldiers in dangerous situations. Today, he's an Oakland County reserve sheriff's deputy who served time as a congressional aide for now-U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Holly). 

Hawkins said he was “pissed” after watching several billionaires sit “front and center” at the U.S. Capitol for President Donald Trump's second inaugural. The son of a single mom, Hawkins said he struggled in school. He was diagnosed with dyslexia and lost his father due to suicide when he was 8. 

“I know this won't be easy, and people are going to call me much worse than an underdog. But I don't give a shit,” Hawkins said in his two-minute introductory video on his webpage alexhawkinsforcongress.com. “Life is about answering the call to serve, and standing up for those who need us.” 

The 10th Congressional District, made up of southern Macomb County and Rochester/Rochester Hills, is represented by U.S. Rep. John James (R-Shelby Township), who is rumored to be looking to run for governor or the U.S. Senate in 2026. 

Democrats lost the district in 2022 by 1,600 votes despite not spending any national money on its candidate, Carl Marlinga. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the rest of the Democratic district won that year in the 10th. Democrats corrected that mistake in 2024, but Marlinga's second attempt at the seat was less successful, having lost to James by 26,074 votes in round two. 

Designated a “Targeted District” by House Majority PAC, MI-10 is certain to be a hotly-contested race prioritized by both parties in 2026. Hawkins's campaign argued it would take a strong Democratic candidate with an appealing profile, compelling message and robust resources to flip this swing seat from red to blue. Hawkins has the profile and drive to connect with voters and build the coalition needed to win in this key district. 

“We cannot watch the news these days without seeing unsettling headlines – from mass firings to Elon Musk getting our data to planes falling from the sky. John James refuses to hold the administration accountable," Hawkins said. "While James consistently chooses Donald Trump and his political party above the people he swore an oath to serve, I’m focused on cutting through the political BS and will always stand up for what’s right for Michigan families.”