SHIFTING OUTLOOK

The reliably Republican 8th Congressional District, currently represented by Congressman Mike Bishop (R-Rochester, Rochester Hills), may not be so reliable much longer. The Cook Political Report, a non-partisan elections forecaster, has slowly shifted its prognostication from “strongly Republican” to “leaning Republican” to, as of mid-July, a “toss up.” Presumed Democratic challenger Elissa Slotkin (D-Holly) has not only consistently beaten Bishop in fundraising quarter after quarter, but Cook’s cited Slotkin’s “public service and strength of her campaign.” Slotkin picked up former U.S. Senator Carl Levin’s endorsement, noting her national security expertise. “Bishop supposedly is in the race of his life – and he does realize it,” said a former state Senator, noting Bishop is still smarting from his loss to Oakland County Prosecutor Jessica Cooper in 2012. Cook’s noted Bishop didn’t have a well-funded opponent in 2014 or 2016. Welcome to 2018, Congressman.