BIG BAD WOLF
“Who is afraid of Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Lansing)? It seems like everyone.” So said Punchbowl, the Washington D.C. insider’s newsletter, noting that no one, including Democratic candidate and TV star Hill Harper, have prevented her from becoming the clear frontrunner in the Democratic primary to succeed Senator Debbie Stabenow (D) when she retires. Slotkin also keeps racking up endorsements, from fellow Congresswoman Haley Stevens (D-Oakland County); rising Democratic powerhouse state Senator Mallory McMorrow (D-Birmingham, Royal Oak, Berkley, Huntington Woods, part of Detroit), Maryland Congressman Jamie Raskin of House January 6 Committee fame; former Governor Jim Blanchard; former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords of Arizona; former Detroit Mayor Dave Bing; Emily’s List; and at last count, 15 Michigan unions, including the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights. Who won’t endorse her? None other than former President Barack Obama – but it doesn’t appear personal. He’s her former boss – she served under him, as well as former President George W. Bush in various defense and intelligence positions including roles at the White House and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. It’s just that Obama is staying out of the primary fight for the U.S. Senate in Michigan, so he won’t be endorsing either Slotkin or Harper, who is a former Harvard Law School classmate and served on a cancer committee for the ex-prez. The Republican primary ticket, at this writing, remains very thin, although word is former Detroit Police Chief James Craig is closer to announcing his candidacy, having formed the Michigan Leadership Matters Fund, a 401(c)(4) nonprofit fund focusing on “solving serious issues plaguing Michigan and America.” “If Chief Craig is running, he may be the only one who knows,” said one Republican honcho. The same individual is very intrigued, however, by former Michigan Congressman and House Intelligence chair Mike Rogers (R-Livingston County) who he recently met with, and assures Rogers is getting ready to jump into the Republican race. That’ll shake things up.