Michael Bridgford

Bridgford says he grew up on a seventh-generation family farm near the Quad Cities, which is still in the family, and attended public schools with a graduating class of 88. He earned an MBA from Northwestern University.[1] He says he has worked in financial services, technology, and logistics, previously co-owned a small logistics business, and now works with his father in their financial advisory business.[1][2]

Bridgford announced his campaign in April 2026 as an independent challenging Republican incumbent Miller-Meeks; Iowa Public Radio described him as the only independent in the race at that time.[2] He says his campaign collected more than 3,500 petition signatures across all 20 counties in 40 days. He says he lives in Bettendorf with his wife and two daughters.[1] During the campaign, he emphasized lowering costs and government-reform measures such as term limits and a ban on congressional stock trading.[1][2] He received 3.6% of the vote to Christina Bohannan's 53.0%, according to unofficial results reported by NBC News.[3]