Two years ago, Democrat Elissa Slotkin came out of nowhere to unseat then-Republican Rep. Mike Bishop in Michigan’s 8th District (Lansing).
Former CIA analyst and Defense Department official Slotkin outraised two-termer Bishop, and her TV spots included a hard-hitting endorsement from registered Republican and former Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel.
Now, Slotkin faces a spirited challenge from former Lansing TV anchor at Fox47 Paul Junge. A recent National Research poll showed Slotkin leading Junge at an unimpressive 48% to 42%.
Although Slotkin has raised roughly $8.2. million, Junge (pronounced "Young") has been competitive by raising $1.7 million.
"And you have to remember my opponent won just 50.6% last time in a district that gave [President] Donald Trump 51% of its votes in 2016," Junge told Newsmax. "This is truly a margin district here."
Junge, 54, has slammed the incumbent for "claiming to be a moderate and then going out and supporting impeachment [of Trump]."
An unabashed conservative on social and economic issues, Junge has the backing of the Right to Life of Michigan and the pro-life Susan B. Anthony List.
"And I'm a proud backer of the right to keep and bear arms, as well as limited government," Junge told us.
When Bishop decided against a comeback bid and other officeholders abjured the race, Slotkin was initially considered a shoo-in for a second term.
"And now I'm spending just about every day handing out yardsigns," 8th District GOP Chairman Norm Shinkle told Newsmax. "That's because voters got to meet and listen to Paul Junge and they like what he has to say."
John Gizzi is chief political columnist and White House correspondent for Newsmax. For more of his reports, Go Here Now.
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