Vance Leading Campaign Rally In Sterling Heights

(Source: MIRS.news, Published 08/27/2026) Vice President JD Vance is coming to Sterling Heights on Monday to campaign alongside three Michigan Republican candidates as the party looks to keep President Donald Trump's coalition together going into the midterms.

The MAGA Inc. event is expected to feature Republican U.S. Senate nominee Mike Rogers, gubernatorial nominee U.S. Rep. John James (R-Shelby Township) and 10th Congressional District nominee Mike Bouchard Jr.

Also scheduled to appear are U.S. Rep. Lisa McClain (R-Romeo), House Speaker Matt Hall (R-Richland Township), U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and Federal Trade Commission Chair Andrew Ferguson.

The event puts Vance in the heart of Macomb County, a key piece of the Republican coalition in Michigan, alongside candidates in three races expected to draw significant national attention this fall.

Bouchard is running for the open 10th Congressional District seat being vacated by James as he runs for governor. Rogers is running against Democratic U.S. Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed, while James faces Democratic gubernatorial nominee Jocelyn Benson.

Michigan Democrats immediately sought to turn Vance's appearance against the Republican candidates by tying them to Trump's tariffs, the war in Iran and the administration's escalating trade dispute with Canada.

Michigan Democratic Party Chair Curtis Hertel said Rogers, James and Bouchard have chosen to stand with Trump and Vance despite the economic consequences he said the administration's policies are having on Michigan.

“These Republicans have made their choice: they're rubber-stamping Trump's toxic agenda, including his reckless war in Iran, his healthcare cuts, and his latest trade war with Canada, no matter the cost to Michigan families,” Hertel said.

El-Sayed took a more Michigan-centric swipe at Vance, a former U.S. senator from Ohio.

“First, this is Michigan. We don't like folks from Ohio telling us what to think,” El-Sayed said.

“On second thought, though, JD is welcome to remind everyone what we've been saying all along – Mike Rogers is running to be Donald Trump's sock puppet in the U.S. Senate.”

El-Sayed focused much of his response on Trump's tariffs, which have become an increasingly prominent issue in Michigan as the administration's trade fight with Canada intensifies.

“Nowhere in the entire country is getting fleeced harder by Donald Trump's vanity tariffs than Michigan,” El-Sayed said. “Michiganders know exactly who to blame for skyrocketing gas and grocery prices, and that's why we'll send Mike Rogers packing his bags for Florida in November.”

Monday's appearance will mark Vance's return to Michigan after visiting Auburn Hills in March.