Cantor's loss buoys Mich. tea party hopefuls
U.S. House Majority Leader Eric Cantor’s stunning primary loss to a tea party candidate in Virginia is giving hope to like-minded Republican candidates in Michigan.
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Brat’s feat of unseating a powerful incumbent with about $200,000 to Cantor’s $5 million also inspires 8th District congressional hopeful Tom McMillin, a state representative from Rochester Hills whose opponent has been blessed by the outgoing congressman, Mike Rogers, R-Howell.
“The main thing it showed is money’s not everything,” McMillin said. “I think it makes it clear that if you get your message across … and if your message is solid constitutional conservatism and free markets and personal liberty, limited government, I think those are the things people are looking for.”
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McMillin runs on record, principles
McMillin is considered an underdog against former state Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop in a Republican primary in Michigan’s 8th Congressional District, where Rogersis not seeking re-election.
Bishop is backed by two heavy hitters in the GOP establishment: Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson, and Rogers. The district includes Ingham, Livingston and northern Oakland counties.
Bishop has even declared that he is a tea party conservative.
McMillin said he’s not overtly running on the tea party mantle, preferring to highlight his conservative efforts in the Legislature.
“I think generally the voters are looking at principles,” McMillin said. “I’m just running on my record and principles.”
GOP strategist Mitchell says McMillin faces “an uphill struggle.”
“Mike Bishop was a very conservative guy when he was Senate majority leader,” he said, and Rogers’ endorsement will carry weight on his behalf — especially since he chairs the U.S. House Intelligence Committee.
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http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140611/POLITICS02/306110089
