Skip to content

GOP, Dem Campaign Committees Launch Mirror Attacks

Both groups want Michigan state legislators back in Michigan

Driskell is seeking the seat held by Walberg, above. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call File Photo)
Driskell is seeking the seat held by Walberg, above. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call File Photo)

Washington was apparently the place to be this week for Michigan state legislators running for Congress in 2016. But should they have been back in Michigan doing their jobs?  

The National Republican Congressional Committee and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee agree on that, it seems. Both groups blasted out emails within 30 minutes of each other attacking the opposing party’s recruit for shirking their legislative duties to raise money in D.C.  

At 2 p.m. Wednesday, the NRCC went after Democratic state Rep. Gretchen Driskell, who’s challenging GOP Rep. Tim Walberg in Michigan’s 7th District. Driskell, in Washington for DCCC events, was criticized by the NRCC for missing votes to attend a “Spring Reception” for Red to Blue candidates .  

“It’s sad that Driskell continues to shamelessly put herself ahead of the constituents who expect her to represent them in Lansing,” NRCC spokesman Chris Pack said in a statement.  

Twenty-seven minutes later, the DCCC followed suit, attacking Republican state Sen. Tom Casperson for missing a vote in Lansing on public school funding. He was also in Washington, attending NRCC’s March Dinner  with retiring Rep. Dan Benishek, whose seat he’s seeking.  

“I wonder what Michigan teachers and schoolchildren think of Tom Casperson skipping out on them for the ‘unique opportunity’ to schmooze with Washington insiders and donors over filet mignon?” DCCC spokeswoman Sacha Haworth said in the email.  

The NRCC debuted the Michigan-focused attack, or at least this week’s iteration of it, on Tuesday when they tweeted a photo of 1st District Democratic candidate Lon Johnson in Washington.

Recent Stories

Trump wins presidency a second time, completing comeback

Trump takes first two swing states as AP calls NC, Georgia

Republicans claim Senate majority outright

A night of firsts for the First State, as Delaware elects Sarah McBride, Lisa Blunt Rochester

A glide-path caucus of new senators with enhanced statures

US cyber-defense agency says voting secure nationwide