MACKINAC ISLAND, Mich. — U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga, a Republican from Holland, said Thursday that he's considering running for the U.S. Senate in 2026 and could announce his campaign as soon as this summer.

"I want to make sure we win," Huizenga told reporters at the Detroit Regional Chamber's Mackinac Policy Conference. "I want to make sure we've got the right candidate to do that. Personally, I think it should have been won last election."

Huizenga's comments point to a potential GOP primary race with former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers of White Lake Township, who ran for the U.S. Senate in 2024 and narrowly lost to Democrat Elissa Slotkin of Holly. Slotkin won by about 19,000 votes, 48.6%-48.3%.

Rogers launched his second Senate campaign in April and has received the backing of the leaders of the National Republican Senatorial Committee. But that's apparently not deterring Huizenga, a former state legislator who's served in the U.S. House, representing his west Michigan district, since the beginning of 2011.

Huizenga said he's been receiving positive response to his potential U.S. Senate campaign at the policy conference this week.

"I'm not even an announced candidate, and they're doing polling on me," Huizenga said. "I guess I'm flattered."

Ahead of the conference, the Detroit Regional Chamber commissioned a statewide poll of registered voters on 2026 potential races for governor and U.S. Senate in Michigan. The poll results showed Rogers was currently outperforming Huizenga in hypothetical matchups with Democrats, but only 33% of registered voters surveyed said they were aware of who Huizenga was. Meanwhile, 75% said they knew who Rogers was.

But Huizenga contended the poll results demonstrated he was doing "pretty well" without spending any money on a statewide campaign yet and that Rogers had a "really hard cap" on the votes he would be able to win in November 2026 after his statewide race in 2024.

"Are we going to run the same play and expect a different result?" Huizenga asked.

Rogers' campaign didn't immediately respond to a request for comment on Huizenga's statements Thursday afternoon.

Huizenga won his reelection race in his 4th District seat in 2024 by 12 percentage points over Democratic nominee Jessica Swartz, 55%-43%. It's likely if Huigenza runs for the Senate, Democrats will make a play for his seat in 2026.

Huizenga said he was confident Republicans would be able to win the district next fall, even if he's not on the ballot.

State Sen. Roger Victory, R-Hudsonville, said on Thursday that he's exploring running for Huizenga's seat if Huizenga seeks the open Senate seat.

"I think in the near future, the congressman should be making an announcement of his future intention," Victory said in an interview on Thursday morning.

Victory said he sees a pathway for Huizenga to win the Senate seat and would support Huizenga in a Senate primary. Republicans want a "new face" in the Senate contest, Victory argued.

The U.S. Senate seat is open in 2026 after U.S. Sen. Gary Peters, D-Bloomfield Township decided not to seek another term.

U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Birmingham, is one of four Democrats currently seeking their party's nomination for the Senate. The Democratic primary is expected to be highly competitive.

Stevens argued on Thursday that both Rogers and Huizenga would "carry on" Republican President Donald Trump's agenda.

"We don't need a rubber stamp," Stevens said. "We don't need extremes and constant fighting."

Trump's potential endorsement could play an influential role in a looming Senate primary race in Michigan. Trump endorsed Rogers for the Senate in 2024 but hasn't announced a decision on the 2026 campaign.

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