Elected for two year terms every even-numbered year.
In 1995, Article II§ 10 of the Michigan Constitution was ruled invalid by the U.S. Supreme Court (U.S. Term Limits, Inc. v Thornton, 115 S Ct 1842 [1995].) There is no limit to the number of terms a U.S. Representative may serve.
15 seats: 6 Democrats, 9 Republicans
Click on map or text links below for more information and discussion about each U.S. Representative/district.
2006 outlook - clickable map
(Light coloring indicates weakness in either 2004 congressional or presidential result. Leave mouse pointer on district to find out number and current U.S. Representative)
In Michigan, there's a common legislative procedure known as a tie-bar. The legislation doesn't become effective unless another piece of legislation passes. This seems to be relatively unknown at the federal level. Michigan congressional representatives that have been state legislators should be familiar with the process, and can educate the others.
Pass the fixes through the U.S. House and Senate under reconciliation. Use a tie-bar to prevent them from taking effect without specific sections of the full health care bill.
Then, the House can safely pass the Senate version of the bill.
Early this afternoon, like everyone else, I heard about Senate Minority Leader Mark Schauer's announcement that he would be a candidate for the Democratic nomination in the 7th Congressional District. Around 2:00 PM I received a phone call, and 45 minutes later, Senator Schauer visited Walberg Watch and spoke to me, my fellow bloggers, and the readers of the blog.
Today I created a committee to become a candidate for the 7th Congressional district. I did so because Tim Walberg is the wrong person for this district, and he's not working for us in Washington. And I did so because I believe that my passion for public service can make a real difference in Washington for the people and issues I care about.
As you've noted in thorough detail on this site, Walberg continually obeys the extreme Republican agenda in DC, instead of the practical views of the constituents who depend on him. He has voted against a minimum wage increase, but for privatizing social security. He opposed expanding health care to more than 4 million uninsured kids, and he refused to support recommendations from the 9/11 commission that would help keep us safe. He didn't have a problem putting out a press release claiming credit for critical local funding, but couldn't bring himself to actually vote for the bill.
The people of the 7th district deserve better.
I've always put my community first and done whatever it takes to make sure we get results for south central Michigan, so I won't stand for anyone who abandons our district time and time again. I will continue serving as state Senate Democratic Leader and fight to the finish the effort to put Michigan on sound financial footing for the future. In fact, the encouragement I've received and support I've been offered from my constituents, friends and colleagues is what makes this effort possible. I also owe so much to my amazing wife, Christine, and my understanding family for being willing to accept the sacrifices that this kind of undertaking will require.
With that said, I believe I am the strongest candidate to take this seat back from Tim Walberg. No one will work harder than me, and no one will knock more doors than I will. When the national Republican machine kicks in to try to save this seat, I'll take them on and win because I have a history of building the kind of broad, bipartisan coalitions necessary to win in tough Republican districts. My experience raising the level of funds a race like this demands will make sure we can stay competitive with the deep pockets of the Club for Growth and others.
There are honorable public servants and friends who have also expressed interest in this race. I have a great deal of respect for each one of them, and I'll work hard to make sure we all come together to achieve our shared goal - replacing this incumbent. I have a proven track record of bringing people together, and that's what I would do with Democrats, Independents, and Republicans in this district, because one thing the current Congressman doesn't seem to understand is that this job means you represent everyone. You're not there just for the folks who think exactly like you do, or the special interests that fund your campaign, or George W. Bush and his cronies in DC. The interests of the district, the state and the nation come first.
Thanks again for all that you do and all you're going to do throughout this campaign. Your great research and the time you spend raising awareness of the importance of this race and the failures of the incumbent are not going unnoticed. I plan to be a regular visitor to this site and look forward to working together to return this seat to the people of the 7th district.
State Senate Minority Leader Mark Schauer said Thursday he will seek the Democratic nomination to challenge freshman Republican U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg in the 2008 election after declining earlier overtures to enter the race.
"Tim Walberg is not doing the job," Schauer told The Associated Press on Thursday. "He is serving a very narrow interest. He's really been a servant of the Bush-Cheney administration and the extreme special interests in Washington."
A hearty good luck to Sen. Schauer. Goodness knows you have our support here at Michlib!
The full details of how Democrats managed to snatch defeat out of victory on the FISA Amendments passed in early August are only now trickling out. But in an new article, Newsweek's Jonathan Alter places a good deal of the blame with John Conyers.
Even liberals like Rep. John Conyers, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, argued in two heated, closed-door meetings on Aug. 3 that the Democrats might as well cave. Otherwise, they would be pounded during the August recess for ignoring national security and destroyed as a party if the country were actually attacked. Even though the leadership and 82 percent of House Democrats voted against the bill, they did not block it, delay the recess and hold the Congress in session. The private excuse was that the liberal base wouldn't be satisfied no matter what they did, and that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid couldn't make the more conservative Senate go along anyway. Apparently, there's always an excuse for leaving for vacation on time.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrat Nancy Skinner said Friday that she was laying the ground work to make another bid for Congress against Rep. Joe Knollenberg, R-Mich., in Oakland County.
Skinner, who was defeated by Knollenberg last year, said she would make a final decision after Labor Day.
(From the diaries, slightly edited - promoted by lpackard)
Talking Points Memo is reporting a DCCC radio ad campaign is targeting Joe Knollenberg for his support of the Bush Administration's failed Iraq Policy. Follow the link to listen to the ad.
Knollenberg is a supporter of the surge, and continues to be a rubber stamp for President Bush despite overwhelming public opinion. From the surge, to stem cell research, to the environment...Knollenberg continues to vote against the will of his constituents.
Yesterday, an interesting snippet appeared in MIRS about Senate Minority Leader Mark Schauer and Congress. People have long been talking about him as a candidate in the 7th, but not of late (I think most folks had figured he truly wasn't interested). MIRS stated that Schauer would contact Berryman and Nacht within 24 hours with his decision - on whether he'd "seriously consider" running for Congress or not. This would be big news if true, because it means the idea is back on the table.
So I decided to do a little investigating. A search on the domain name schauerforcongress.com shows that it was purchased August 3rd. My sources confirm that it was one of the good guys who bought it.
And now here's an article hot off the presses from the Associated Press. According to the AP, Schauer is discussing a bid for Congress with family, colleagues and constituents before making a "final decision."
Also from the article:
Former Rep. Joe Schwarz, R-Battle Creek, said Wednesday he spoke to Schauer earlier in the day and the state senator told him "he was looking at" the congressional race. Schwarz said Schauer did not indicate when he would make a final decision.
What do you think? Should he run? Since he hasn't announced that he's running - only that he's thinking about it - now would be the time to let him know if you want him to go forward.
UPDATE: Today's MIRS references a poll from the DCCC that shows him beating Walberg in a head-to-head match-up by 3 points. Once positives and negatives are given, Schauer's margin grows to as much as 8 percentage points.
We will be continuing to introduce Gary to these blogs and keep them informed about the Peters Campaign. I encourage you to create an account at these sites, if you don't have one already, so you can participate in our conversation. I encourage you to tell the blogosphere why YOU are supporting Gary Peters.
Three of Michigan's Republicans broke party ranks and voted with Democrats, and the U.S. House passed two bills that establish a federal renewable portfolio standard and also extended tax credits for the generation of electricity from solar.
The bill, an amendment to the June-adopted Clean Energy Bill, established a federal goal of 15 percent by 2020. Eleven percent of that must come through new generation, while the bill set a cap at 4 percent realized through greater energy efficiency. The legislation also extended until 2012 tax credits for generating electricity through solar energy.
Energy industry observers and insiders are said to think this legislation is key to kick-starting the clean energy industry. That, in turn, could help already existing Michigan companies that manufacture clean energy components. Several RPS bills have stalled in the state Legislature, most of which are weaker than the federal version.
(From the diaries. Other candidate announcements welcome as well. - promoted by lpackard)
"A public servant with a record of fiscal discipline, Gary Peters (D-Bloomfield Township) today announced he will run for Congress in 2008, pledging to fight outsourcing, help strengthen the economy and resolve the war in Iraq." It's official! Days after Joe Knollenberg made the announcement for him, Peters enters the race. It's no wonder Knollenberg felt the need to attack. Gary has an extensive track record of fighting for progressive issues as a State Senator.
Peters will officially resign from his current position as Michigan's lottery commissioner on Friday, August 10th. Under Peters, the lottery has come in $13 million under budget while generating record profits. When he was a State Senator, he returned an entire years worth of office expenses back to the state treasury! Gary will bring fiscal responsibility to Congress.
"Knollenberg has allowed the failed Bush agenda to go on while our brave men and women are getting shipped to Iraq and good-paying Michigan jobs are getting outsourced to other countries. -Gary Peters"
Gary gets it. Knollenberg has a terrible record on veteran's issues, highlighted by the DCCC campaign last July. Peters will fight to protect our soldiers and our jobs. Knollenberg has been a rubber stamp for a failing administration. The choice is clear for 9th district voters.
9th District elected Democrats came out strong in support of Peters. Look at this list of endorsements. Our local leaders are excited to get behind an experienced legislator, who is ready to fight Knollenberg on the campaign trail and represent Oakland County in the People's House.
The district is ripe for change, and Gary is the candidate to deliver. The Democratic base vote in the 9th district was above 50%. This is a winnable district. Joe Knollenberg is out of touch with 9th district voters on issues such as stem cell research, protecting the middle class, the importance of Social Security, and helping to make college education affordable. Gary Peters will continue his fight for progressive interests?Joe Knollenberg protects Washington special interests. Let's send a Lieutenant Commander to Congress to fight for us.
The Cook Political Report (download PDF) has a new competitive U.S. House race chart out. Democrats have 13 seats listed as lean or toss up, Republicans have 17. Michigan's 7th and 9th both make an appearance: listed as "Likely Republican". Which means "these seats are not considered competitive at this point but have the potential to become engaged". Just you wait..
Both districts (and MI-01) are a part of Democracy Corp's battleground district polling. Check out the latest numbers (nationally) here - the sample sizes are too small to break it out by district:
In the 35 Republican battleground districts, the named Republicans trail their generic Democratic opponent by 5 points (49 to 44 percent). Republicans are almost in as much trouble as in 2006 in their top tier congressional races.
A growing percentage of the country, now 61 percent, want their member of Congress to vote to change President Bush's direction on Iraq and start requiring a reduction of troops; just 35 percent want their member to not undermine the President. The margin for a Congressional mandate has grown from 16 to 26 points in the last month. The forces pushing voters to demand change are growing, not diminishing.
Mulhern's controversial chief of staff quits
August 1, 2007
BY DAWSON BELL
FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER
Michigan first gentleman Dan Mulhern's chief of staff has resigned, a spokesman for Gov. Jennifer Granholm said Tuesday.
Nancy Skinner, a former radio host who ran unsuccessfully for Congress in 2006, will remain on the state payroll -- her salary and benefits cost about $116,000 -- until Aug. 31 and will not be replaced immediately, spokeswoman Liz Boyd said.
Mulhern's hiring of Skinner created a minor stir earlier this year, coming at a time when Granholm was trying to highlight the state's financial crisis and need to raise taxes.
Speculation has circulated that she would mount a second bid for the seat of U.S. Rep. Joe Knollenberg, R-Bloomfield Township. State Lottery Commissioner Gary Peters, another Granholm administration appointee, also is expected to seek the Democratic nomination to run for Knollenberg's seat.
By: Jordan Wells and Kevin Hrit - (Disclosure: Jordan worked as Nancy Skinner's Online Outreach Organizer in 2006. Kevin worked as Nancy Skinner's Field Director in 2006, and crunched numbers for Practical Political Consulting in Lansing.)
Michigan's 9th Congressional District will be one of the top targeted races for 2008. The DCCC has already aired ads exposing Knollenberg's awful record on veterans. Knollenberg is under fire from citizen action groups, and has been constantly bashed in letters to the editor throughout the district. Knollenberg is beatable. He narrowly won the '06 election with 51% of the vote, and has 15% less money now than he did this time that cycle.
It appears the 9th District has undergone a sudden blue trend. However the Democratic base in the district has been growing steadily for the last eight years. Despite the growing Democratic base, Joe Knollenberg continues to cruise to electoral success versus weak challengers.
Jump below the fold for an extremely detailed analysis of the numbers from the 9th District.
Gary talks about the state lottery and whether he will run for Congress against Joe Knollenberg on July 13th's episode.
When pushed to declare whether he is running or not, Peters says that a decision will come by the end of July.
Congressman Knollenberg's Q2 FEC report has his cash on hand at $600,775 (thats $300k less than he had this time last cycle)! It's exciting to hear encouraging words from a popular potential Democratic candidate who would certainly give Joe a run for his money.
In 2002, the closest statewide election in my old home state was the Attorney General race, in which Republican Mike Cox defeated then-State Senator Gary Peters by a razor-thin margin. Personally, I attribute that result to a stronger than expected Republican turnout that year that also made the race for governor closer than many predicted. Well, he may be heading back into electoral politics. Roll Call is reporting that he is looking at making a run against Joe Knollenberg.
Note: This diary just addresses the campaign issues in MI-09. Carl Levin, Tim Melton, and several other speakers all gave presentations that could be their own diary.
This morning was the 9th Congressional District's breakfast. It was great to see many of you there, but for anyone who couldn't make it here is a rundown of what happened...
The 9th District Congressional Committee has decided to dedicate their ENTIRE energy and resources to defeating Joe Knollenberg. This narrow focus is no cause for concern, given the Oakland County Party's strength in down ticket races. The 9th District Committee will work to train precinct captains and volunteer canvassers. I am truly proud to say our party leadership understands the need for grassroots organizing and door to door contact.
