RED TO BLUE?

Word from the Michigan Information and Research Service (MIRS) is that several reliably Republican Oakland County state House districts could be in trouble of turning blue in November, in some cases for the first time. The aforementioned 40th District (Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Bloomfield Township and West Bloomfield), which has been Republican for as far back as memory serves, is currently held by state Rep. Mike McCready (R) – but MIRS noted that the affluent district voted for Hillary Clinton in 2016, and without an incumbent, it could likely flip to Democrat Mari Manoogian. Rep. Klint Kesto’s (R) 39th District (Commerce Township, West Bloomfield) may look different than when current Oakland County Clerk Lisa Brown (D) held the seat, but MIRS notes the seat is trending Democrat, and they advise Jennifer Suidan to raise her name recognition against Republican Ryan Berman. A district that has been reliably Republican is the 38th, in Novi, where incumbent Rep. Kathy Crawford survived a primary challenge – but may not survive the general election against Novi City Council member Kelly Breen (D). Crawford, and her husband Hugh before her, are long-time local Republican stalwarts, but their time may be over, according to MIRS. Breen had more votes in the primary than both Crawford and her primary challenger together.