Michael Bridgford

Michael Bridgford is an independent candidate and a Bettendorf-based financial advisor. He grew up on a family farm near the Quad Cities and holds an MBA from Northwestern University. His campaign centers on lowering costs and government-reform measures such as term limits and a ban on congressional stock trading.[1][2]

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]

Researched from the cited sources on 2026-10-21.