In a blow to Republican chances of
winning the 2014 Senate race in Michigan, U.S. Rep Dave
Camp has decided not run for the seat being vacated by Sen. Carl
Levin.
winning the 2014 Senate race in Michigan, U.S. Rep Dave
Camp has decided not run for the seat being vacated by Sen. Carl
Levin.
The Republican from Midland issued a
statement sometime this morning on his campaign committee website:
statement sometime this morning on his campaign committee website:
“After much thought and careful
consideration, I have decided not to run for the United States Senate. I will
continue to put my full focus and effort on serving my constituents in mid- and
northern-Michigan as their Representative and as Chairman of the Ways and Means
Committee.”
consideration, I have decided not to run for the United States Senate. I will
continue to put my full focus and effort on serving my constituents in mid- and
northern-Michigan as their Representative and as Chairman of the Ways and Means
Committee.”
MLive broke the story at about 10
a.m. using this curious language “in a statement issued Friday afternoon…”
a.m. using this curious language “in a statement issued Friday afternoon…”
Camp had Washington buzzing last
month when he said he was considering a Senate run because he was expected to
use his perch as chairman of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee to
push through comprehensive tax reform. Just the prospect of Camp spending his
time running for Senate caused some Washington political observers to declare
that tax reform was dead.
month when he said he was considering a Senate run because he was expected to
use his perch as chairman of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee to
push through comprehensive tax reform. Just the prospect of Camp spending his
time running for Senate caused some Washington political observers to declare
that tax reform was dead.
Now, some political analysts may
declare that the Michigan GOP’s chances of capturing the Levin seat are dead.
The only Republican candidate is former Michigan Secretary of State Terri Lynn
Land, whose Senate bid has received a fairly cool reception in some GOP
circles.
declare that the Michigan GOP’s chances of capturing the Levin seat are dead.
The only Republican candidate is former Michigan Secretary of State Terri Lynn
Land, whose Senate bid has received a fairly cool reception in some GOP
circles.
U.S. Rep. Justin Amash may run for
the seat but he hails from Land’s home turf of western Michigan.
the seat but he hails from Land’s home turf of western Michigan.
Meanwhile, the Democrats have
already coalesced around Rep. Gary Peters of West Bloomfield Township.
already coalesced around Rep. Gary Peters of West Bloomfield Township.
Here is Camp’s full statement:
“Over the past few months, I have
received a lot of encouragement to run for the United States Senate. I have
greatly appreciated and am deeply humbled by those calls and conversations.
After much thought and careful consideration, I have decided not to run
for the United States Senate. I will continue to put my full focus and
effort on serving my constituents in mid- and northern-Michigan as their
Representative and as Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee. That
includes creating a stronger economy by making the tax code more effective and
efficient; opening new markets for American goods services; and, critical
oversight of ObamaCare and the IRS.”
received a lot of encouragement to run for the United States Senate. I have
greatly appreciated and am deeply humbled by those calls and conversations.
After much thought and careful consideration, I have decided not to run
for the United States Senate. I will continue to put my full focus and
effort on serving my constituents in mid- and northern-Michigan as their
Representative and as Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee. That
includes creating a stronger economy by making the tax code more effective and
efficient; opening new markets for American goods services; and, critical
oversight of ObamaCare and the IRS.”
