East Lansing — Republican Rep. Liz Cheney on Tuesday urged hundreds of voters in central Michigan to back her Democratic colleague, Rep. He explained that he was
Slotkin’s pro-Slotkin stumps speech in the East Lansing High School gym marked the first time a Wyoming Republican campaigned for a Democratic candidate.
Cheney told a group of about 500 people, “If we want to ensure the revival of this republic, we must, as usual, get out of politics.” ”
The country needs two strong political parties and “substantial debate,” Cheney said.
“But if you pick someone who doesn’t respect the outcome of the election, you’ll never reach that debate,” Cheney said.
He pointed out that the first Michigan candidate Cheney helped campaign for was former Republican President Gerald Ford, whose father, Dick Cheney, was chief of staff. “I think Jerry Ford would endorse Elissa Slotkin,” she said.
more:Republican Liz Cheney Endorses Michigan Democrat Slotkin for First Time
Neither Cheney nor Slotkin mentioned the Republican candidate for Congress in the 7th House District, State Senator Tom Barrett, in their remarks. Both focused primarily on the need to change politics as usual in light of threats to democracy.
Slotkin admitted that she and Cheney disagreed on “substantial policy issues” and that the impact of Cheney’s support in District 7 was largely unknown. Most people in District 7 are focused on “table issues,” said Slotkin, but she argued that democracy is like a house with a table.
“There’s nothing we can’t deal with if we don’t work together,” Slotkin said. “But the thing is, I’m a Democrat. You can’t fix the Republican Party for them. Only they can.”
“And until then, with your help, we will beat them, beat them, beat them as they move extreme candidates up and down our ballots. Clarify.”
Cheney, a well-known critic of former President Donald Trump, endorsed Slotkin late last month, becoming the first Democratic presidential candidate to publicly endorse him. Slotkin said Tuesday that he had voiced his support to the media all the way back to the House’s final election day.
Cheney endorsed a second Democrat when he announced before Tuesday’s rally that he would endorse Democratic Rep. Tim Ryan in the Ohio Senate over Republican J.D. Vance.
The Slotkin and Barrett race is one of the most expensive races in the country, approaching $27 million in late October. A poll of his 400 potential voters in the 7th House District, which took place Oct. 18-20, put Mr. Slotkin ahead of Mr. Barrett by 47% to 41%, with about 8% of voters was undecided. The margin of error was plus or minus 4.9%.
more:Slotkin vs. Barrett: The country’s most expensive house race is close
Barrett responded to Cheney’s support for Slotkin, saying that Slotkin are like-minded “regime war hawks” who are united against their “endless war”. One Barrett retired from the Army earlier this year after 22 years of service. He also said in August 2021 that he did not hold top leaders of the Biden administration accountable for the failure to withdraw from Afghanistan, including the death of 13 American soldiers. criticized the Commission.
“I am proud of my service to my country and after being called out to Dick Cheney’s war, his daughter came to my district on the last day of this campaign to support my opponent in the election campaign. I never thought the day would come that we would decide which party would control Congress,” Barrett said Monday.
Barrett is backed by Wyoming attorney Harriet Hageman, who defeated Cheney in the August primary. campaigned for some of his work. She echoed Trump’s rhetoric in calling the 2020 election “rigged.”
Barrett hasn’t gone that far, but said he had “legitimate” concerns and questions about how the election went, introducing a law requiring photo ID to vote in Michigan. Did. He signed a letter to Congress urging him to “explore all available options and procedures to investigate credible allegations of election-related concerns over fraud and fraud.”
Barrett dismissed suggestions that Cheney’s endorsement was related to his reaction to the 2020 election, noting that her endorsement statement made no mention of it. Barrett’s views are inaccurate, calling him an election naysayer, and saying that Barrett continues to push Trump’s claims “to this day.”
Cheney spokesman Jeremy Adler said: “Liz believes these issues are serious and serious. This is not a game. We cannot give power to people who do not respect the results of the election.” Stated.
eleblanc@detroitnews.com