Posted on 08/10/2010 6:02:23 AM PDT by Kaslin
Currently represented by freshman Democrat Mark Schauer, Michigan’s Seventh Congressional District leans Republican and maintains an increasing trace of conservatism, despite its current congressional leadership. This fall, Republicans in Michigan’s Seventh have a prime opportunity to take back a Republican seat and retire Mark Schauer.
Stretching from Michigan’s southern border northward to Waverly, Michigan’s Seventh District encompasses five counties in their entirety and reaches seven in total. Employers are struggling to retain and create jobs, and southern Michigan is no exception. The birthplace of the Republican Party, this district also includes the conservative college of Hillsdale. In 2008, Mark Schauer barely won this district with less than 50% of the vote, underperforming Barack Obama, who still only beat McCain by 5%. Unlike in 2008, the once-popular Democrat is now a political liability who won’t be there to carry Schauer across the finish line.
Mark Schauer makes an appearance on nearly every list of the most vulnerable House Democrats—and for good reason. Despite his marginal victory in 2008, Schauer went to Washington determined to rubber-stamp the Obama-Pelosi agenda. He supported the failed trillion-dollar stimulus, the National Energy Tax, the government takeover of health care, and record deficit spending. In a sign that Schauer’s constituents are tired of his big-spending liberal agenda, last November Republicans handily won a special election to fill the state Senate seat that Mark Schauer held since 2002. Failing to represent his constituents and out of touch with Seventh District voters, Mark Schauer has demonstrated that his loyalty lies not with Michiganders, but rather with Nancy Pelosi.
This year, former Rep. Tim Walberg, who lost to Schauer in 2008, is ready for a rematch. Defeating strong contenders in the primary election, Tim Walberg is a formidable foe to Mark Schauer in his uphill battle to win Michigan’s Seventh. Tim Walberg’s experience as an elected official and community leader sets him above his unpopular challenger. During his time in Congress, Walberg stood up against the Democrat’s job-killing tax increases that are wreaking havoc on Michigan’s economy as well as advocating for healthcare reform that didn’t mandate a government takeover. Walberg has represented Michiganders as a dedicated public servant who has worked across the aisle to make government live within its means, prevent tax increases, secure our border and defend traditional conservative values.
Recently reaching the top-tier ‘Young Gun’ status in the NRCC’s Young Guns program, Walberg is preparing to serve south central Michigan by fighting for fiscal responsibility and conservative values. Please visit Tim’s website, Facebook and Twitter accounts to learn more about his campaign and stay updated with the latest news and information.
The numbers from the primary.
Walberg - 41,940 (R)
Rooney - 23,605 (R)
Carlson - 7,441 (R)
Schauer - 24,005 (D)
GOP total - 72,986
Walberg should not have lost this district in 08 but plenty of blame rests with the NRCC themselves. They stripped him of money in the final days of the campaign and called him a “lost cause”. He went on to lose by 2%.
It didn’t help that the RINO he defeated on 06 embarked on a vendetta against him and even endorsed the democrat in the last election. This year, RINO Joe Schwarz was encouraging democrats to vote for Rooney as a means of defeating the “Nativist/extremist wing of the GOP”.
For Walberg’s own part, he was not an aggressive campaigner in 08 and absorbed the nastiest attacks the democrats could muster. This time around, he’s fought all fire with even greater fire.
Tim Walberg is a good man who really cares about the district and doesn’t run away from opposition. He’s not a speech-maker but he votes in favor of our constitution each and every time.
7th district ping.
If you would like to be added or dropped from the Michigan ping list, please freepmail me.
Tim is a good man who did a good job as a congressman. He received my vote then, had it this primary, and will have it again this November.
They can call him a career politician all they want but he’s a career politician who has never once voted to raise my taxes.
He was a founding member of Michigan’s “NO” caucus.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.