Two-term Michigan U.S. Rep. Lisa McClain announced on Wednesday that she will not be running for the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate next year. However, she did not rule out the possibility of a future statewide run, potentially for governor. McClain, 57, stated that she is content serving in the U.S. House, as it is a good fit for her. Currently, she holds the position of the second-highest ranking House Republican woman as secretary of the House GOP Conference. This year, she also became the chair of the Oversight Subcommittee on Health Care and Financial Services.
McClain stated, “I’m in a really good spot where I’m at. Life’s about timing, and right now, I think I am best served to sit on the leadership team in the House. I like being in the majority. I think we’ve made some significant, although not perfect policy changes.” She expressed her satisfaction with having a seat at the leadership table and the ability to bring back valuable resources to her community. While she is not endorsing any candidates for the Senate race yet, McClain mentioned that she has spoken to two other GOP contenders, former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers and New York Stock Exchange Vice Chair John Tuttle. She anticipates that the field will expand further in September.
The Michigan U.S. Senate race in 2024 has already attracted several declared Republican candidates, including State Board of Education member Nikki Snyder, Romulus attorney Alexandria Taylor, first-time candidate Michael Hoover, and former Berrien County Commissioner Ezra Scott. Snyder has reported raising $146,099 for her campaign through June 30, while Hoover has raised $204,634, according to federal disclosures.
Republicans have not won a U.S. Senate race in Michigan since 1994. However, McClain believes that the party has a strong chance of winning the seat in 2024. She points to the challenges faced by businesses in finding employees and the state’s loss of jobs and population, which led to the elimination of a congressional seat after the last Census. McClain argues that the people in her district are seeking solutions to their everyday problems and a return to traditional American values, rather than progressive policies.
On the Democratic side, three-term U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin of Lansing is considered the early frontrunner for her party’s nomination. She has raised nearly $5.9 million for her campaign through June 30. However, Slotkin is facing a notable challenge from actor Hill Harper, who recently launched his campaign. Other Democrats in the running include Michigan State Board of Education President Pamela Pugh, former state Rep. Leslie Love of Detroit, Dearborn businessman Nasser Beydoun, and attorney Zack Burns of Ann Arbor. Beydoun has raised $149,885, Pugh has raised $40,016, Burns has raised $28,987, and Love has raised $11,077, according to federal disclosures.
With the retirement of Democrat Debbie Stabenow at the end of her term in 2024, the Michigan U.S. Senate seat is up for grabs. Both Republicans and Democrats are gearing up for what is expected to be a highly competitive race.
Original Story at www.detroitnews.com – 2023-07-26 21:42:50
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