BARRETT VS SLOTKIN?

Tom Barrett

The rumor mill has it that Republicans are digging deep into their bench to find a hitter to take on first-term Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin (D-Rochester, Rochester Hills, northern Oakland, parts of Livingston and Ingham counties), who is racking up a sizable war chest, with over $1 million on hand for her 2020 re-election already – acknowledging she hopes it will intimidate potential opponents. GOP officials have their eye on state Sen. Tom Barrett (R-Potterville), who is in his first term representing the 24th Michigan Senate District, which covers parts of both Eaton and Ingham counties. Pundits note he also grew up in Oakland County, and served in the military, which could hit two of Slotkin’s main bullet points. Candidates and members of Congress do not have to live in the district they are seeking/serving, and Barrett’s current state district is just over the line from the 8th congressional district. He’s being cagey when asked if he is considering moving his family from Eaton to neighboring Lansing in Ingham County to run. Barrett is one of the state Republicans who filed suit against the state’s new redistricting commission, which voters overwhelmingly approved last November in a move to halt gerrymandering by both parties.