May 11 , 2004
competitive michigan gop field vies to succeed n. smith

By Mark Wegner -- Congress Daily

Competitive Michigan GOP Field Vies To Succeed N. Smith

The four leading Republicans seeking retiring GOP Rep. Nick Smith's seat claim important campaign strengths -- name recognition, personal wealth, key endorsements, the incumbent's last name -- individual factors that make the race for the Michigan open seat very much up for grabs.

Michigan's candidate filing period ends today, and it is the GOP primary for the state's south central 7th District that promises to be a very competitive race.

Even the campaign of former state Sen. Joe Schwarz, the primary's nominal frontrunner, is predicting a tight race until the Aug. 3 primary.

"I think it will be one of those that we grind out until the Election Day," said Schwarz consultant John Truscott.

Polls show Schwarz with a small or statistically insignificant lead over his GOP opponents, state Reps. Gene DeRossett and Clark Bisbee and attorney Brad Smith, the son of Nick Smith.

Former Republican state Reps. Tim Walberg and Paul DeWeese also are running for the GOP nomination but have not emerged as major competitors. Walberg trails in resources, while DeWeese only recently moved into the district. Although filing closes today, one source noted candidates have until Friday to withdraw their candidacies.

According to Truscott, Schwarz is boosted by his professional and political experience, which includes service as Battle Creek's mayor, 16 years as a state legislator and an unsuccessful 2002 run for the GOP gubernatorial nomination. Schwarz, a surgeon, also served as a former naval officer and a CIA operative

Truscott said Schwarz does not support abortion rights but does not believe in overturning the Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade decision. Backed by the moderate Republican Main Street Partnership, Schwarz is campaigning on health care, national security and higher education.

Despite losing Michigan Right to Life and Michigan Chamber of Commerce endorsements to Bisbee, DeRossett is competing for conservative votes in a district where abortion and gun ownership rights are important issues, an aide said.

"This is a pro-life, Second Amendment district," the aide said.

He said DeRossett is still in contention for other key endorsements from the National Rifle Association and the Michigan Farm Bureau.

DeRossett, who represents Washtenaw County excluding Ann Arbor, has lent his campaign $450,000 and boosted his name ID with two weeks of television ads last month, along with campaign literature and phone banks.

Bisbee said he is following advice from Washington not to run television or radio ads too early. "Raise money and hold onto it until the voters start to get interested," Bisbee said.

He said the endorsements, along with his base in centrally located Jackson County, would carry him to the general election.

Smith campaign manager Jason Brewer said the eventual nominee cannot rely on his home base alone. The reputation of Smith's father has helped Brad Smith cultivate support district-wide, Brewer said.

"There are seven counties and six candidates. Each has a very strong plurality of their home county," Brewer said. "We've been able to establish support throughout the district."

Brewer said the political impact of Nick Smith's opposition to the Medicare drug bill last year is uncertain, but it has gotten more attention in Washington than at home.

Smith also claims the endorsement of the conservative Club for Growth. But ultimately, he said, the race comes down to "drag your friends and neighbors to the primary."