Jewish Democrat Gets Boost As GOP Gives Up On Michigan Swing District
Updated 1:20 p.m.
A Jewish Democratic challenger for a key Michigan congressional district received a major boost when a Republican-aligned super PAC reportedly abandoned her GOP opponent to focus on more winnable contests.
Elissa Slotkin is now a favorite to oust Rep. Mike Bishop in Michigan’s 8th district after the Congressional Leadership Fund announced it would scrap $2.1 million in planned TV ads to help Bishop, The Detroit News reported Friday.
The super PAC, which received $30 million from conservative Jewish megadonors Sheldon and Miriam Adelson, has all but ceded the district and several other GOP-held suburban seats as the political climate continues to deteriorate for Republicans.
Slotkin is one of several Jewish swing district candidates who outraised their opponents during the last quarter.
The Forward now rates Slotkin as a favorite to win in November. Non-partisan election forecasters Cook Political Report and Sabato’s Crystal Ball both have the race listed as a toss-up. President Trump carried the district by more than six points. Helping her further, former president Barack Obama announced Monday that he was endorsing her and dozens of other candidates nationwide.
“CLF will continue to run strong field operations in these districts and will continue to conduct polling and evaluate races across the country, as we do everything we can to protect the Republican majority,” spokeswoman Courtney Alexander said in a statement to reporters.
While the PAC pulled major funding, the National Republican Congressional Committee made about $500,000 in ad buys in September, according to FEC filings.
Slotkin’s campaign said the ad pull shows moderates are swinging back toward the Democrats.
EXPLORE ALL THE RACES WITH JEWISH CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATES IN OUR INTERACTIVE MAP
Slotkin also fits a Democratic strategy of running people with military and security backgrounds in swing areas.
Elaine Luria, a Navy veteran, is running a strong campaign to oust incumbent Rep. Scott Taylor in a district centered around Virginia Beach.
Lauren Baer, who is vying for a West Palm Beach area district, advised former President Barack Obama on national security matters.
Luria and Baer were also endorsed by Obama on Monday.
Contact Ben Fractenberg at fractenberg@forward.com or on Twitter, @fractenberg
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