In a shocking development, Nancy Skinner, the 2006 candidate who ran against Republican Rep. Joe Knollenberg, has withdrawn her candidacy for that seat. She would have faced state lottery commissioner Gary Peters in the Democratic primary before moving on to face Knollenberg in the fall.
I’m not quite sure which way this news cuts. On the one hand, Skinner ran a strong race against Knollenberg the last time around, and has been championed by the netroots, especially Democracy For America. On the flip side, I remain wary of “grudge match” candidates who were unable to beat the Republicans in 2006. That was a Democratic year, without any GOP pull at the top of the ticket. If a candidate couldn’t make it over the finish line then, how would he or she do so this year?
I also don’t know much about Gary Peters. How strong a candidate is he? Any Michiganders with insights, I encourage you to chime in!
I yield the floor.
is why people were so nutso over her to begin with?
Of course, now she’s become the candidate to have the most money raised by DFA, only to drop out, since Howard himself!
He lost the AG race in 2002 (a poor year for Dems nationwide) by just the tiniest of margins, and if memory serves, actually won the 9th district that year. He also has a great online outreach team. (Woot!)
And I’m relieved that Skinner has stepped aside. This is someone who got, after all, single-digits in the Illinois senate primary in 2004, then decided she wanted to run for Congress in Michigan less than two years later. Not a strong candidate in my view.
it gives Peters a stronger chance in the general.
Glad to see Skinner get out of the way. She had no chance at getting past Peters, who is a former State Senator, came very close to being AG, and was the State Lottery Commish. It drove me up a wall to see DFA pick her to be their money hog for this year. So many other candidates like Thrasher in AZ 2 could have used that money. It annoys the hell out of me when organizations like that go with candidates that have no shot at getting out of the primary. With Skinner out, if DFA makes a smart moves and gives the cash to someone with a chance, I may go back to giving them money again.
is a hard worker. He put together one of the most impressive legislative careers through his time in the state senate. When he got to lansing he was almost immediately elected caucus chair, and he proceeded to introduce and pass more legislation than any other Democrat in a Republican controlled senate with a Republican governor.
We can thank Gary in no small part for a few bills such as;
1. Wiring Michigan schools with internet access in 95
2. Shutting down a medical waste incinerator in a poor neighborhood in Detroit.
3. Banning Directional Drilling for oil in the Great Lakes.
4. Getting better body armor for police, and helping ban cop killing bullets.
For his legislative accomplishments, he was awarded;
1. Sierra Club’s environmentalist of the year.
2. Deputy Sheriff’s Association – Star Award Winner
3. Fraternal Order of Police – Public Servant of the Year
4. Michigan Association of Justice – Champion of Justice Award
Not to mention his exemplary record of military service in the Naval reserve as a Lt. Commander, his committment to education, or his committment to working families with a 100% voting record from the AFL-CIO.
We’ve got ourselves a VERY great candidate here. Plus, he’s just a great person, and you can’t downplay the importance of that. Gary Peters is the real deal and would genuinely appreciate your support.
Wouldn’t that just be “rolling the dice”?
wasn’t Larry Kissell, NC-08 the runner-up?
Or do I only think that because that’s who I voted for?
He could have put that money to better use. Skinner should pass it on to him.
Gary Peters came in 5th in that same Grass Roots All-Star contest, so he’s no slouch in term of potential netroots support.
He’s a strong candidate in a District that has changed dramatically since the last redistricting. MI-09 is one of the strongest pickup chances the Democrats have against a GOP incumbent running for reelection (Walberg in MI-07 is another vulnerable GOP incumbent).