Retiring Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Mich., has endorsed former Michigan Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop for the GOP nomination to succeed him in Congress.  

“Mike Bishop is the right conservative for the 8th District,” Rogers said in a Monday news release. “Bishop will stand up to liberal policies of the Obama administration, just like he stood up and fought for us against the liberal policies of the Granholm administration.”  

Rochester Hills Mayor Bryan Barnett is also running for the GOP nomination.  

National Democrats are recruiting Ingham County Clerk Barb Byrum to run for the seat, and she is mulling whether to seek her party’s nomination . Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero recently declined to run .  

The Michigan primary is Aug. 5.  

Michigan’s 8th District is rated Leans Republican by Rothenberg Political Report/Roll Call.