Michael James Pappas (born December 29, 1960) is an American politician and former one term Republican congressman from New Jersey, serving from 1997 to 1999.

Pappas won the Republican primary, defeating State Senator John O. Bennett and Assemblyman (and future 7th district Representative) Leonard Lance.

His congressional service included pushing for a stronger national defense, the elimination of the capital gains tax, advocacy for small business, securing the release of the battleship USS New Jersey to the state of New Jersey as a museum, and resurrecting the controversial "Star Wars" national missile defense.

[5][6] In 2000, Pappas unsuccessfully sought the Republican nomination for his old congressional seat, losing a highly contentious primary to the more moderate Zimmer by 62 to 38% margin.

After Pappas won the organization line for Somerset County, a large part of the 16th district, Zimmer dropped out of the race.