U.P. Lawmakers Rescind Bergman As Tempers Flare

(Source: MIRS.news, Published 02/17/2026) Three Republican legislators on Tuesday withdrew their endorsement of U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman (R-Watersmeet) after the five-term incumbent endorsed former Rep. Beau LaFave for the state Senate as opposed to their preferred candidate.

The three legislators all took shots at the Congressman in a press release, raising old questions about how often Bergman lives or has lived in the U.P.

Tensions within the usually congenial Upper Peninsula have heightened in recent weeks after a split developed over the preferred candidate in the 38th Senate District. LaFave has made no secret over the years about his interest in the job, but term-limited Sen. Ed McBroom (R-Waucedah Twp.), Rep. Greg Markkanen (R-Hancock) and Rep. Karl Bohnak (R-Negaunee) have decided to support current Rep. Dave Prestin (R-Cedar River) instead, saying he has the "experience, commitment and understanding the U.P. needs right now."

LaFave responded by scoring Bergman's endorsement. McBroom said Bergman allegedly vowed he wouldn't endorse anyone in the race.

“Jack promised me he would not be endorsing in this race,” McBroom said. “I wish I could say I'm surprised that he lied to me or that this is out of character for my time working with Jack, but it's not.

“I've seen him be disloyal to local party members, interfere in races outside his district, stab fellow Republicans in the back, and even publicly attack me,” he continued. “Those were internal party members. This time is different. This time, he straight up lied to me.”

McBroom said he was not interested in Bergman's seat. He also stated that LaFave hired Bergman's right hand, Tony LIS, for campaign work, which LaFave denied.

“I have not hired Tony Lis,” LaFave said. “But if I did, at least he's not on trial for money laundering.”

The reference is to Heather Lombardini, the political consultant who has done work with McBroom and, now, Prestin in this run. Lombardini is still awaiting trial for uttering and publishing in connection to the Unlock Michigan ballot proposal.

LaFave wasn't done. He said McBroom was the one who backstabbed him and the Congressman when he endorsed “a former Chicago nightclub owner who plead guilty to domestic battery after beating his wife for years. Beating women wasn't exactly the ‘U.P. Values’ I had assumed Ed and Greg were talking about.”