Dems say Trott Retirement Presents Opening to Retake House

Dems charge that U.S. Rep. Trott (R-MI) retirement is part of pattern of moderate GOP reps leaving House due to Trump.

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Melissa Mason/WDET

National Democratic officials say the party sees an opening in Michigan’s 11th Congressional District now that GOP Congressman Dave Trott has announced he’s retiring from the U.S. House.

Trott says he will not seek reelection because he wants to return to the private sector and spend more time with his family.

But the two-term Republican has recently criticized President Trump.

Trott.house.gov

And some Democratic officials are painting Trott’s retirement announcement as one in a series of moves by moderate Republicans who are stepping down in the wake of the President’s low approval ratings.

The Midwest press secretary for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, Rachel Irwin, charges that some Republicans do not want to defend their attempts to repeal and replace Obamacare.

“The feeling here is that Congressman Dave Trott saw the writing on the wall. Many Republicans are growing tired of the do-nothing Congress under Speaker Paul Ryan and are clearly frustrated and looking for the exit door,” Irwin says.

GOP officials in Michigan counter that they have a strong bench of potential candidates to replace Trott and that support for Trump, in particular, remains strong in the 11th Congressional District.

Author

  • Quinn Klinefelter is a Senior News Editor at 101.9 WDET. In 1996, he was literally on top of the news when he interviewed then-Senator Bob Dole about his presidential campaign and stepped on his feet.