Two Influential Republican Committee Chairmen Announce Retirements

MI-8 House Intelligence Committee Chairman Mike Rogers' surprise retirement announcement is igniting a political scramble in south-central Michigan. The open 8th District should remain in Republican hands, but if Democrats can create a political wave in either the Governor or Senate race that translates into a turnout driver, then witnessing a competitive open seat campaign here becomes probable. Two Republicans have officially entered the contest. Former state Senate Majority Floor Leader Mike Bishop and Rochester Hills Mayor Bryan Barnett will run for the CD-8 seat. In addition to serving the maximum eight years in the Senate, Mr. Bishop was twice elected to the state House. For Democrats, the person seemingly taking the lead in actively pursuing the contest is Ingham County Clerk and former state Representative Barb Byrum. Her mother, Diane Byrum, then a Michigan state Senator, lost to Rogers by only 111 votes in 2000, the last time this district was open. Other potential Democratic candidates are state Rep. Sam Singh, and Lansing Board of Education President Peter Spadafore. MI-4 On Monday, Ways and Means Chairman Dave Camp (R-Mich.) announced he would not seek reelection for another term in Congress. Chairman Camp’s announcement clears the way for Budget Chairman Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) to take the helm of the committee next year. Potential candidates will be making fast moves to enter these two new open seat campaigns. It appears that state Sen. John Moolenaar (R-Midland), who represents a large portion of the congressional district in the legislature, is a probable candidate and could open with the inside track to securing the nomination and the seat. Expect more people from both parties to come to the forefront during the next few weeks. For more information, please contact David Ashinoff at (202) 547-5013 or ashinoffd@agc.org.