WASHINGTON — Democratic state Sen. Sean McCann outraised incumbent GOP U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga by about $400,000 in the first quarter of 2026 as the longtime Republican lawmaker looks to withstand a potential blue wave in southwest Michigan and nationally.

McCann, D-Kalamazoo, brought in just over $1 million between January 1 and March 31. By contrast, Huizenga, R-Holland, raised about $635,000 over the same period, according to campaign finance reports disclosed Wednesday.

“Momentum continues to build behind Sean’s campaign to bring real representation to Southwest Michigan,” McCann's campaign manager, Simone Archer-Krauss, said in a statement.

Huizenga, who is seeking his ninth term in Congress, represents a swath of the west Michigan lakeshore in the state's 4th Congressional District. He still has a sizable cash advantage over his Democratic challenger, ending the first quarter with about $1.9 million in the bank. McCann finished with about $1 million in reserves.

The Republican has also raised about $3 million so far for the 2025-26 election cycle, more than double his opponent's $1.4 million. Huizenga projected confidence and touted his cash edge in a statement Wednesday.

"I’m honored and encouraged by the outpouring of support we’ve received from across west Michigan," Huizenga said. "We enter the campaign year in stronger shape than ever and a nearly two-to-one financial advantage because people want common-sense leaders that are laser-focused on lowering the cost of gas, groceries, and housing for families, creating good-paying jobs, and bringing people together to get things done."

McCann similarly thanked supporters in an April 2 statement before formally reporting his quarterly fundraising haul: "I am honored by the outpouring of support our campaign has received from people across Michigan who know it’s time for new leadership in Congress and are ready to do all they can to flip this seat.”

Adrian Hemond, a Democrat and a Michigan political consultant with the firm Grassroots Midwest, said Huizenga "could be in some trouble" and there are "some red lights flashing" for his campaign.

"He's got multiple areas of his district that have been trending blue. He's obviously got plenty of rock-ribbed Republican areas in his district as well, but he's got some trouble spots," Hemond said in a phone interview, pointing to the latest fundraising numbers and a broader economy that is "not doing super well."

The U.S. House Democrats' campaign arm in February added McCann to their program for top candidates in contested districts, signaling that he will have national support through the November general election.

More: Democrats add McCann to program that mentors top recruits for Congress

McCann has also picked up endorsements from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and U.S. Rep. Hillary Scholten of Grand Rapids, both Democrats. McCann's state Senate district, which covers much of Kalamazoo County and a slice of Van Buren County, falls within the boundaries of the 4th District.

The state lawmaker must still win a Democratic primary before advancing to the general, though his fundraising and endorsements make him an apparent front-runner.

McCann is competing in the primary with Diop Harris, a Battle Creek native and former Capitol Hill staffer for former Democratic U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio.

Harris raised about $33,000 last quarter.

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