NEWS

Attacks pick up in tightly contested N. Michigan race

Melissa Nann Burke
Detroit News Washington Bureau

One of the state’s most expensive and hotly contested congressional races is nearing the finish line in northern Michigan, where the candidates have sparred about Social Security, trade and health care.

First Congressional District candidates Lon Johnson (D) left, and retired Lt. Gen. Jack Bergman (R) partake in a debate Friday, Oct. 7, 2016 at the Milliken Auditorium in Traverse City, Mich.

Party-affiliated groups continued to pump money into the toss-up contest in the 1st District, reporting $4.9 million in independent spending to the Federal Election Commission through Friday, largely for broadcast air time for attack ads. It is viewed as one of the 30 seats Democrats need to win in their uphill battle to try to regain control of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Democrats say Republican political novice Jack Bergman is contradicting himself on the issues and skipping multiple candidate forums across the sprawling district, which includes the Upper Peninsula and the top half of the Lower Peninsula.

Republicans are portraying Democratic candidate and former state party Chairman Lon Johnson as a party insider, trying to tie him to U.S. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi of California and presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.

Political analysts expect another tight race in the district, where four years ago in the last presidential election year, incumbent GOP U.S. Rep. Dan Benishek beat the Democrat by 1,881 votes — half of a percentage point. Benishek, a surgeon from Crystal Falls, is retiring after three terms.

“I think it’s going to be very close. It’s a good kind of canary-in-the-coal-mine race,” said Scott T. LaDeur, a political science professor at North Central Michigan College in Petoskey. “This is the kind of marginally Republican seat that the Democrats have to win to take control of the House.”

Supporters of both candidates hope they ride the coattails of their party’s nominee at the top of the ticket.

“This is definitely a district that a Democrat can win,” said John Snow, chairman of the Grand Traverse County Democrats.

“Part of the thing that Lon has going for him, that the previous recent congressional candidates didn’t have, is he is much better financed. He’s an effective fundraiser, and he’s also really connected with the community with the amount of work he’s done.”

Mining issue resonates

Despite the area’s conservative values, many Yoopers have historically voted Democratic either because of tradition or because of union ties, said Brendan Biolo, chairman of the Marquette County GOP.

“That’s falling apart with the (Donald) Trump situation this year,” said Biolo, noting comments by Clinton in March about putting coal companies out of business resulting from moving toward renewable energy sources.

Michigan has had a small resurgence of mines in the past six years, including the nickel-and-copper Eagle Mine in Marquette County.

Lon Johnson

“When you say you’ll close miners out, make them lose their jobs — no matter what mining they’re doing — people get nervous about that,” Biolo said. “That was a mistake by Clinton that’s definitely helping Trump up here. Whether that helps Bergman or not, I can’t say, but usually there’s coattails.”

Both candidates have faced accusations they’re not really from northern Michigan. Bergman, a retired Marine lieutenant general, didn’t live full time in Watersmeet until the end of 2009. Johnson, former chairman of the state Democratic Party, bought his property in Kalkaska County in 2011.

On the issues, Johnson opposes privatizing Social Security, calling it a recipe for “risky’ Wall Street “schemes.” Bergman favors privatization in the long term but says he wouldn’t alter benefits for those in or approaching retirement.

Bergman calls for shutting down the U.S. Department of Education and making the states responsible for education. He has also advocated closing Veterans Affairs hospitals in areas where they are duplicating services available at nearby facilities.

Health care a key issue

Johnson calls for increased funding for public education. He advocates reforming the Veteran’s Administration that oversees federally owned hospitals, while opposing the privatization of veterans’ health care.

Bergman would repeal the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. Johnson says the law needs improvements, including relief for the “unfair burden” it placed on small businesses.

Jack Bergman

Both candidates say they oppose the pending 12-nation trade deal with Asia known as the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

On the economy, attack ads are playing a clip of Bergman telling a group of Escanaba AmVets in April that “there are certain jobs that — whether we like it or not — will be better performed somewhere outside of our country.”

On guns, both candidates are have a “pro-gun” A rating by the National Rifle Association. Johnson appears in a commercial holding his grandfather’s Winchester, saying he would “stand up to my own party to protect our Second Amendment rights.”

Bergman told an audience in Hancock last week that he’d repeal the 17th Amendment, which introduced the direct election of U.S. senators, according to the Mining Gazette. Johnson opposes the idea, saying voting is the cornerstone of democracy.

Johnson has posted photos on social media of Bergman’s empty chairs at several forums. Bergman was asked about his absences during a campaign stop last week in Escanaba with Gov. Rick Snyder.

“I’ve made all the debates that I can make based upon scheduling priorities. Just because it’s his priority, doesn’t necessarily mean it’s my priority,” Bergman told WJMN Local 3 News.

Bergman has been largely out-raised and outspent by Johnson, but this month the Republican had a bounce, raising $222,985 for the first 19 days of October. It brought his total to $1.1 million for the cycle.

Johnson’s haul was $112,685 for the period, bringing his overall total to nearly $1.85 million.

mburke@detroitnews.com

(202) 662-8736