Walberg win sets up rematch with Rep. Schauer
Former U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg of Tipton has won the Republican primary in the south-central Michigan 7th District, setting up a rematch with the man who ousted him from Congress two years ago.
With 76 percent of precincts reporting, Walberg had 58.9 percent of the vote to 30.9 percent for lawyer and Iraq war veteran Brian Rooney of Dexter.
The primary win Tuesday means Walberg will face off in November against Democrat Mark Schauer.
In 2008, Schauer of Battle Creek beat the first-term Walberg by about 7,500 votes.
Republicans have been eyeing Schauer ever since he won in the GOP-leaning district. It covers an area stretching from Eaton County just west of Lansing south through Battle Creek, Jackson, Hillsdale, Adrian and part of western Washtenaw County.
Schauer issued a statement tonight, saying he's looking forward to a "spirited campaign of ideas about what direction we should take to get our economy back on track."
Comments
Doctor5X
Wed, Aug 4, 2010 : 8:20 a.m.
Walberg is a weak candidate; he lost to Schauer *as an incumbent* two years ago. Schauer's base will be energized to defeat Walberg, whom they strongly dislike. Yet another blown opportunity for the GOP. Walberg's primary victory also shows that negative campaigning still works. I saw little positive advocacy come from his campaign - it was mostly hit pieces accusing Rooney of being rich, a carpetbagger and - gasp! - a lawyer.
McGiver
Wed, Aug 4, 2010 : 6:32 a.m.
Schauer asks "what direction we should take to get our economy back on track". Typical incumbant acting like he has had nothing to do with the mess we are in or the so called solutions already voted into law. Start packing Mr. Schauer.
SMAIVE
Tue, Aug 3, 2010 : 10:42 p.m.
What does a careless teenager trying to out run a train by passing numerous cars and speeding through the crossing have to do with Schauer and highway safety?
Silly Sally
Tue, Aug 3, 2010 : 10:31 p.m.
I wonder if the Republicans will take Congressman Schauer to task for being on the transportation committee and after 19 months, never submitting one piece of legislation concerning transportation. Nothing to improve highway, air, or railroad safety. Last year, 5 teens died in Taylor after their car was struck by a train. Then, he voted for Obamacare, which does nothing to actually lower Health care costs, only forcing people to buy it.