OUT OF OFFICE REPLY

Just days after Speaker of the House Paul Ryan (R-WI) was in town for a private fundraiser for Republican Congressman Mike Bishop (Rochester, Rochester Hills, Livingston County, Lansing area), came word that the Congressional Leadership Fund, a PAC with ties to Ryan and which had reserved $2.1 million in television air time to defend and support Bishop in his fight against Democratic challenger Elissa Slotkin in the 8th District, was withdrawing financial support. For the third quarter, Slotkin raised almost $2.5 million – more than any other candidate in Michigan, for a total of $5.5 million. In comparison, Bishop raised $763,449 this last quarter, for a total of $3.65 million, still quite a haul. The Michigan Campaign Finance Network notes it is the most expensive U.S. House race in Michigan history. Pollsters put the race at a dead heat, and may remain so till the final days of the election. As for Ryan’s PAC pullout? Bernie Porn of EPIC/MRA likened it to triage – “Republicans have come to the conclusion that they’re not likely to win, and will put their money in more viable races” around the country. And will a recent email from President Trump endorsing Bishop help him or hurt him with Independent voters – the ones pundits say will swing the race?