FREELAND, Mich. — Speaker Mike Johnson’s “ambassador of hope” tour played to a receptive crowd in Michigan this weekend, rallying Republicans who feel increasingly confident that they can win key seats only two years after a Democratic blowout in the state.
As Johnson looks to protect the slim House GOP majority, he’s eyeing flip opportunities in two open seats currently held by Democrats. In the toss-up 7th and 8th Districts, well-known Democrats with impressive brands are leaving the House, which gives Republicans a chance to make the math harder for House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
Appearing alongside former state Sen. Tom Barrett in a manufacturing repair plant in Lansing, Johnson called the 7th District race “one of the best pickup opportunities in the country.” Barrett lost to Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) in 2022, but he’s optimistic now that Slotkin is vacating the seat to run for Senate.
“Two years ago, I was running against an incumbent that had unlimited money to spend and was well ingrained into the Washington establishment,” Barrett told us. This time Barrett is running against Democratic state Sen. Curtis Hertel.
Farther north in Michigan’s 8th District, another repeat candidate — Republican Paul Junge — is sensing a chance to win after the retirement of Rep. Dan Kildee (D-Mich.). Before Kildee held the seat, his uncle and former Rep. Dale Kildee (D-Mich.) served in Congress for decades.
“It’s hard to overcome that incumbency and that name recognition,” Junge told us before pivoting to attacking his Democratic opponent, state Sen. Kristen McDonald Rivet.
GOP’s Senate outlook: The state’s Senate race, which pits Slotkin against former Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Mich.), is also exciting Republicans. Slotkin’s lead is narrowing, per public polls, and Rogers told us his campaign is benefiting from an aggressive door-knocking campaign and former President Donald Trump’s focus on Michigan.
“We are working very closely with the Trump campaign all over the state,” Rogers said, calling it “massively important for us.”
Trump lost statewide in Michigan in 2020, in addition to losing both the 7th and 8th Districts. There was once a time that Republicans in Democratic-leaning turf might have distanced themselves from Trump.
But no longer. Strong support for Trump has united all the GOP campaigns in Michigan. And Johnson, who is fashioning himself as a close confidant of the former president, regaled the party faithful with behind-the-scenes tales of Trump’s fortitude and his own Trump impression.
Repelling Democratic attacks: Democrats argue that the cadre of Michigan GOP challengers all bring vulnerabilities to their races. Rogers has faced questions over his voting address and has drawn heat for buying a home in Florida after leaving the House in 2014.
McDonald Rivet has seized on comments Junge made where he said he hadn’t worked a job in five years.
The Republicans deflected the Democratic criticism and said voters would ignore the messaging in favor of economic issues.
“Slotkin’s more concerned about my house because she hasn’t been concerned about everyone else’s house here,” Rogers told us. “I worry about your rent doubling.”
The Democratic cash advantage also hung over every GOP event in Michigan. But Johnson, as ever, preached defiance.
With Rep. John James (R-Mich.) in St. Clair Shores, Mich., Johnson said the freshman would win “no matter how much money they spend against him.”
