Spotlight on the MI 7th Congressional District

Republican Winner, Tim Walberg
Michigan's 7th Congressional District is found in the south central region of the state. All of Branch, Eaton, Hillsdale, Jackson (notable as one of the birthplaces of the Republican Party) and Lenawee Counties are included, as well as most of Calhoun County and large portions of Washtenaw County. Major cities are Jackson and Battle Creek. As is common in many Key House Races, George W. Bush comfortably won here in 2000 and 2004 yet Barack Obama beat McCain in 2008. For most of its history, the 7th elected Republicans to the U.S. House. An unfortunate exception occurred in the last election. Democrat Mark Schauer, a former leader in the state legislature, capitalized on the 2008 shift toward his party and won with less than 50% of the vote over one-term incumbent Republican Tim Walberg. Schauer dutifully toed the Democratic Party line in his votes for the “stimulus” debacle, the National Energy Tax, and the detestable government takeover of healthcare. In a telling example that Schauer's votes for the liberal agenda are alienating him from his constituents, last November Republicans easily took a special election to fill the state Senate seat that he had held since 2002. Tim Walberg stepped up to the plate to reclaim the seat he narrowly lost in 2008. This race was considered a bellwether in the battle for control of the House and it ended up being one of the most costly and hardest fought races in the nation. Party and special interest money flowed freely. Schauer garnered extensive union support. On November 2, Walberg officially laid claim to his old seat, beating Schauer 50% to 45%. Throughout his political career, Walberg been a reliable vote against tax increases and has advocated for health care reform with free market solutions.
Tim Walberg
  • BS, Taylor Univ.
  • MA, Wheaton College
  • Attended Moody Bible Institute and Wester Illinois Univ. (forestry)
  • Division Manager, Moody Bible Institute, 2006
  • Nondenominational Minister
  • Union Steel Mill Worker
  • President, Warren Reuther Center for Education and Community Impact
  • Representative, U.S. House, 2007-2009
  • Representative, Michigan State House, 1983-1999
  • Lenawee County Republican Party, Michigan Republican Party
  • DIstrict Committee Member/Chaplain, Boy Scouts of America
  • Board of Directors: Christian Family Foundation and Living Water Works-CPC Pregnancy Counseling and Services
  • Volunteer: Lenawee County Riding for the Handicapped Committee, Lenawee Habitat for Humanity
  • Member: NRA, Pheasants Forever, National Republican Legislators Assoc., Trenton Hills United Brethren Church
  • “Taxpayers Hero” Award from Citizens Against Government Waste

ISSUES

  • Jobs & Economic Growth: Stop tax increases, rein in federal government spending, make health care more affordable and accessible, encourage educational excellence and worker training, and provide families and small businesses with across-the-board tax relief to encourage hard work and investment ; reduce energy costs and move America toward energy independence through conservation, development of alternative energy and environmentally sound energy exploration, and allowing for the construction of advance carbon free nuclear power
  • Government Spending: Politicians need to stop digging our nation deeper into debt; government must live within its means 
  • Affordable Health Care: Support increasing the choice of doctors by encouraging patient centered care, cutting down on frivolous lawsuits that are driving up costs for hospitals and physicians, allowing small businesses to join together to purchase quality health insurance for their employees, and providing low and middle-income families with health care tax credits
  • Traditional Values: Work to preserve one man, one woman marriage and the sanctity of life; English should be our official language and government must be colorblind; protect our Second Amendment rights, and work to preserve and restore our Great Lakes
I'm Tim Walberg and this is where I stand: * I stand for our Founding Principles - belief in God, our Declaration of Independence, and Constitution... * I stand for Freedom - to start a business, to choose your doctor, what you drive, what you eat, to carry a gun, to teach & raise your own children, and to live your own life... * I stand for Personal Responsibility - let's reward good behavior and discourage bad behavior... * I stand for Limited Government, Limited, Regulation, Limited Spending, Limited Taxing, and Limited Borrowing... * I stand for Life and all other American Traditional Values...
Change for the Better
The Spotlight On reports are overviews of actual Republican primary winners or top Republican primary contenders. Spotlights should not be interpreted as recommendations to support specific candidates. Before supporting any candidate, do thorough research to confirm that the candidate shares your views on issues you deem most important.