Ben Ambrose

Ambrose was born in Muskegon and grew up on a farm in Hesperia, Michigan, according to his campaign website; WCMU also describes him as a Hesperia native.[6][1][2] His campaign website says he holds a B.A. in international affairs from Georgetown University and an MBA from Johns Hopkins University.[6]

Ambrose served in the U.S. Marine Corps for 20 years as an infantryman.[1][3] In a 9&10 News candidate questionnaire he said he enlisted six days after high school graduation and deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, with humanitarian missions to Haiti and Marine Expeditionary Unit deployments.[3] After his military career he worked as a federal employee for Oregon Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden, according to WCMU.[2] In the same questionnaire he said he testified before the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee about cuts by the Department of Government Efficiency, which he said led him to run.[3]

Ambrose won the August 4, 2026 Democratic primary with 44.3% of the vote, ahead of Jamie Hill (42.3%) and Clyde Welford (13.4%).[1][2] He described his campaign as a return to public service.[1][2][3] He received 37.0% of the vote to John Moolenaar's 61.5%, according to unofficial results reported by NBC News.[4]