BIG BUCKS BATTLE

While Democratic Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin’s new district takes her away from northern Oakland County, to mid and western Michigan in the new 7th District, we continue to be impressed with her resume, work and financial haul on the campaign trail. In the first quarter, she raised over $1.3 million, and has an overwhelming $5.5 million cash on hand for her race against Republican state Senator Tom Barrett, who odds-makers are expecting to emerge from the August primary as the candidate to face her in November. Barrett raised $458,000 in the first quarter, not bad for an early foray. However, according to the Washington Examiner, his legislative chief of staff was heard on a hot mike that their goal for the first quarter was $1 million. Slotkin, who is a campaign firebrand, historically raising most of her money from individuals, and not PACs. The race is in the spotlight for the National Republican Campaign Committee, which announced Barrett as one of their “Young Guns,” and the race is one they are “watching very closely.” As in, the Republicans want to win it.