MICHIGAN — State Sen. Ed McBroom and state Reps. Greg Markkanen and Karl Bohnak rescinded their endorsements of U.S. Rep. Jack Bergman on Feb. 17, 2026. The lawmakers cited Bergman’s endorsement of Beau LaFave for the 38th Senate district and alleged personal attacks from the congressman’s staff as the reasons for the decision.
The 38th Senate seat is currently held by McBroom, who is term-limited and cannot seek reelection after winning 63% of the vote in 2022. Instead of backing LaFave, the Upper Peninsula lawmakers have endorsed state Rep. Dave Prestin for the seat. The legislative team criticized Bergman for issuing his endorsement without consulting local leaders who live and work in the district.
Sen. McBroom, a Republican who has been in office since 2011, alleged that Bergman had previously promised to remain neutral in the race. “Jack promised me he would not be endorsing in this race. 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,” McBroom said. He further claimed the congressman has been disloyal to local party members and has interfered in races outside his own district. McBroom stated that he would not vote for Bergman again.
The lawmakers also questioned the relationship between the candidates and Bergman’s staff. McBroom noted that LaFave recently hired a consulting firm owned by Bergman’s chief of staff. He alleged that the congressman has a history of endorsing the clients of his own employees to assist their personal businesses. Additionally, the legislative team criticized Bergman for not contacting local leaders to discuss their support for Prestin before making his announcement.
Rep. Markkanen said the endorsement of LaFave reinforces concerns about Bergman’s lack of presence in the region. Bergman first entered Upper Peninsula politics in 2016, but local officials have criticized him for being absent from the area since. “For years, Congressman Bergman has been criticized for being absent from the U.P. This only reinforces that concern,” Markkanen said. He described Prestin as a small-business owner and first responder who understands the community better than a representative who “drops in for carefully staged public appearances.”
Rep. Bohnak focused on the policy implications of the Senate race, citing the energy law passed in 2023 as a significant threat to the region’s economy. Bohnak argued that Prestin has the policy knowledge required to protect local industries such as mining and forestry from rising energy costs. “The Upper Peninsula is facing the greatest threat to its future we have ever seen with the energy law passed in 2023,” Bohnak said. He suggested that Bergman is disconnected from these local industrial issues.
James Hogge, representing Bergman for Congress, dismissed the lawmakers’ announcement as a “meaningless press release” and criticized McBroom’s legislative record. Hogge linked Bergman with Donald Trump, noting both won their 2016 primaries despite opposition from what he called “establishment Lansing hacks.” “General Bergman takes his orders from the constituents of the First District, not anti-Trump Ed, wife-beater Dave, or Greg,” Hogge said.
LaFave, the candidate endorsed by Bergman, accused McBroom and the legislative team of backstabbing him after he spent 12 years supporting them in Lansing. LaFave claimed he was fired by Markkanen for refusing to endorse Prestin, whom he described as a candidate with a history of domestic battery. “The choice between my opponent and I has never been more clear,” LaFave said. “While Lansing’s favorite politicians want to play games that no one cares about, my campaign remains fully committed to fighting for the U.P., not the Lansing donors fueling my opponents campaign.”
Rep. Prestin, who is seeking to succeed McBroom in the Senate, said he is grateful for the unified support of the local legislators. In addition to the three lawmakers, Prestin has received endorsements from various residents, including Diane Casperson, the wife of the late Sen. Tom Casperson. “I am deeply grateful for the full support of the U.P. legislative team. Unity is essential to the Upper Peninsula’s survival,” Prestin said. He added that he never sought Bergman’s endorsement and prefers the support of those who live and work in the region.