The Michigan GOP has three solid candidates lined up to compete for the party’s Senate nomination and a chance to take on Democratic incumbent Debbie Stabenow in 2018, but the Trump White House is already leaning in favor of the wild card – Kid Rock.

Though it’s still unclear if Kid Rock (real name – Bob Ritchie) is serious about a Senate run or if his recent trial balloon is a publicity stunt, one online publication is reporting that the Trump team is already on board.

Independent Journal Review reports that the president’s inner circle has offered the rocker campaign assistance from the White House.

One GOP source told IJR, “They’re very interested in convincing him to run and asked that we keep them posted on developments.”

That presidential preference is sure to agitate Republican operatives for the three candidates already in the running. They are: former Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Robert Young, a Harvard Law School graduate and a jurist who has been highly regarded in conservative circles for many years; Lena Epstein, who holds degrees from Harvard and U-M, is co-owner of her family’s business in Southfield, Vesco Oil Corp., and active in several civic groups; and John James, a West Point graduate, a former Army captain and helicopter pilot who served in the Iraq War, and who now runs two companies in Detroit.

Rock’s resume, in comparison, obviously doesn’t add up. But the Trump team reportedly takes a rather simple point of view: “Kid Rock supported us. He’s a Republican. We won Michigan. Makes sense, right?”

That attitude may especially infuriate the Epstein camp as she served as Michigan co-chair of Trump’s campaign.

Yet, some Republican insiders seem convinced that Rock’s rebel image and crass style is what the GOP needs to defeat Stabenow. Republican consultant Dennis Lennox told IJR that Rock could win the primary handily. “It won’t be close,” Lennox said. “… He needs to get in now and clear the field.”

 

Photo: WDIV-TV screenshot

 

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