Former Holland Mayor Backs Democrat McCann
Republican Phil Tanis endorses Sean McCann in a tight race for Michigan's 4th Congressional District.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Elections
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Former Holland Mayor Phil Tanis, a Republican, has endorsed Democrat Sean McCann, a state senator from Kalamazoo. Tanis lost the Republican primary to incumbent Congressman Bill Huizenga and is now splitting from his party to back McCann.
Why it matters
The 4th Congressional District has been held by a Republican for decades, and the race between Huizenga and McCann is described as very tight. Tanis cites the same concerns that prompted his primary challenge to Huizenga as the reason for his endorsement.
The endorsement comes from a former Republican primary challenger, and the source provides no polling percentages or vote tallies for the McCann-Huizenga contest. The race is described only as very tight, and the outcome will be decided on Tuesday, November 3rd.
The players
Phil Tanis
Former Holland mayor and Republican who lost the GOP primary to Bill Huizenga and is now endorsing the Democratic candidate.
Sean McCann
Democratic state senator from Kalamazoo running against incumbent Republican Bill Huizenga in Michigan's 4th Congressional District.
Bill Huizenga
Incumbent Republican congressman for Michigan's 4th Congressional District who defeated Phil Tanis in the GOP primary.
The details
Tanis is splitting from his party to endorse McCann, citing the same concerns that drove his primary challenge to Huizenga. Polls are open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. on election day.
Timeline
Tuesday, November 3rd: Midterm election; polls open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Political Context
The 4th Congressional District has been held by a Republican for decades, so a tight contest with a Democratic challenger represents a notable break from that pattern. Tanis's endorsement of McCann, driven by the same concerns that fueled his primary challenge to Huizenga, shows intra-party dissent surfacing in the race.
Michigan voters in the 4th Congressional District will decide the race on Tuesday, November 3rd, when polls are open from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m. The result determines which candidate represents the district in Congress.
The takeaway
Intra-party endorsements can signal shifts in a race even when the district's partisan history points the other way, so voters are best served by weighing candidates on the issues that have divided their own parties. Checking polling place hours before election day helps ensure a ballot is cast.
Further reading
Track the latest in Michigan Elections coverage as the midterm approaches.
Live Poll
Do you plan to vote for Sean McCann in the 4th District race?
