Attorney Robert Lulgjuraj Launches Campaign for Congress

News Summary

Robert Lulgjuraj has declared his candidacy for Michigan’s 10th Congressional District, becoming the first Republican to enter this competitive race for the 2026 elections. With a legal background and a critical stance against Democratic candidates, Lulgjuraj seeks to align with Trump’s agenda. Other candidates from both parties are vying for the nomination, highlighting the electoral significance of this district, especially after past close races.

Sterling Heights – Attorney Robert Lulgjuraj has officially launched his campaign for Michigan’s 10th Congressional District, making him the first Republican to declare candidacy for an open seat that is expected to be highly competitive in the upcoming 2026 elections. The race could significantly impact the balance of power in the U.S. House of Representatives, especially following current U.S. Representative John James’ decision to vacate his seat in order to pursue a run for governor of Michigan.

As a prosecutor at the Macomb County Prosecutor’s Office with prior experience as a trial attorney at the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office, Lulgjuraj brings legal expertise to his campaign. His announcement on August 7 included a critical stance against Democratic candidates, where he highlighted concerns about socialism and government control, mispronouncing a reference to New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani in the process. Lulgjuraj strongly positions himself as a defender of the American Dream against what he terms “socialist Democrats.”

This district, which spans parts of southern Macomb and Oakland Counties including Rochester and Rochester Hills, was recently restructured through an independent commission to promote fair voting practices. The area’s political landscape is one to watch, particularly given its contentious history; John James narrowly defeated Carl Marlinga in the 2022 elections by just 1,600 votes, while his victory in 2024 was more decisive at 26,074 votes.

Donald Trump has previously endorsed John James in his campaigns for the House in 2022 and 2024, which further highlights the significance of this congressional seat. Lulgjuraj, at age 32, indicates a desire to align closely with Trump’s “America First” agenda. His background is compelling; the grandson of Albanian immigrants who fled communism and religious persecution, he emphasizes the importance of his family’s lawful immigration to the U.S. He graduated in 2015 from Holy Cross College and obtained his law degree from the University of Detroit Mercy in 2020.

So far, Lulgjuraj has raised approximately $200,000 for his campaign and is actively working on building a robust campaign team. His entry into the race comes as other Republican contenders are also vying for the nomination, including Casey Armitage, who was the first to file a statement of candidacy back in June and is known as an advocate for open carry rights.

On the Democratic side, multiple contenders are already in the fray, including former Commerce Department lawyer Eric Chung, Army veteran Alex Hawkins, Pontiac Mayor Tim Greimel, and former Macomb County prosecutor candidate Christina Hines. This competitive environment underscores the high stakes involved for both major political parties as they prepare for the 2026 elections.

Candidates looking to qualify for the August 2026 primary ballot will need to collect a minimum of 1,000 voter signatures by April 21, 2026. Lulgjuraj’s campaign is also facing potential competition from Michigan Republicans attempting to recruit Captain Michael Bouchard, son of Oakland County Sheriff, who is currently deployed with the U.S. Army and is expected to return in the fall.

Given the competitive nature of Michigan’s 10th Congressional District, the upcoming primary election is anticipated to draw substantial funding from outside groups, as seen in the previous election cycle, which saw expenditures of $17 million. With the political landscape continuously shifting, the next few years are crucial for candidates and constituents alike as they navigate the evolving dynamics of federal representation.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

• Detroit Free Press: Robert Lulgjuraj launches congressional campaign
• Wikipedia: 2026 United States Congress elections
• Detroit News: First GOP candidate in Detroit area U.S. House race
• Google Search: Michigan 10th Congressional District
• Detroit News: GOP group recruits Michael Bouchard for House race
• Encyclopedia Britannica: United States Congress
• Detroit News: Trump endorses John James for Michigan governor
• Google News: Michigan Congress 2026