Tracy Ruell

Tracy Ruell is the Democratic candidate for the Michigan House of Representatives, District 100, in the November 3, 2026 general election, where she faces incumbent Tom Kunse (R).[1][2] In a Ballotpedia survey, she described herself as a small business owner and lifelong Michigan resident who grew up on a dairy farm; she also ran against Kunse in 2024.[3][1]

Ruell was born in Big Rapids, Michigan, and graduated from Big Rapids High School, according to Ballotpedia.[1] In a 2024 Ballotpedia survey, she said her family closed its farm after PBB contamination of cattle feed supplement across Michigan, that she began working at a local McDonald's at 16, and that over more than 20 years she rose from crew member to area general manager.[4] She also said she worked in the corporate offices of Meijer, graduated from Ferris State University, and has supported the insulation business of her husband, Rob, whom she married in 1996.[4] Ballotpedia says she has been affiliated with the Big Rapids Rotary.[1]

Ruell lost the 2024 general election for House District 100 to Kunse.[1] She advanced from the Democratic primary on August 4, 2026.[1] In the 2026 survey, she said she operates a small insulation business with her husband, a business operating since 1983, and is a member of the Rotary, AAUW, Farm Bureau and Farmers Union.[3] She listed her priorities as protecting and funding public schools and local control of education, expanding pathways from high school into work, higher education, the military and the trades, supporting renewable energy and community co-ops, supporting the MiCare single-payer proposal in the legislature, and reducing the influence of money in politics.[3]

Researched from the cited sources on 2026-10-21. Not yet independently fact-checked.