GOP primary in Michigan’s 7th district starting to heat up

“Tim called me a carpetbagger I think the first day I entered the race. One of my responses is that Michigan’s economy is hurting because people are moving out, not because people are moving in,” Rooney said. “Veterans move around a lot. I’ve lived all over the country and spent time in Iraq as well. When my wife and I decided where we wanted to raise our kids, it was with Michigan values. I like to tell people I’m a convert to Michigan and converts usually have the strongest faith. I’m a dyed in the wool Michigander now.”

Rooney said he was primarily motivated to leave the conservative Thomas More Law Center and run for Congress by his children. His one-year-old son Blaise was born with a congenital heart defect, which led to him spending the first three months of his life at the University of Michigan’s Mott Children’s Hospital. Rooney said he became fearful that his son’s care would be jeopardized or cut back under the Democrat’s healthcare proposal.

“I was fearful of rationing of care and these sorts of things. They happen not just on the senior end of the spectrum, but also with children’s care,” Rooney said, adding that he favors a step-by-step approach to healthcare reform. “Special needs children will have a friend in Congress with me.”

Walberg also said he favors some form of healthcare reform bill that includes health savings accounts, associated health plans for small businesses and allows insurance companies to sell coverage across state lines. He opposed the stimulus plan and the TARP bailouts, having voted against the first portion implemented under President Bush. But he admits his district is growing less conservative as the state’s economy gets worse.

“[It's] definitely much more of a swing district than before. We ran a lot of good conservatives out of the state,” Walberg said. But he still thinks his strong conservative record will appeal to voters this fall. “I contend that will resound after people have seen up close and personal an example of what liberalism does.”

Aside from healthcare, Rooney said as a former Marine he has a particular interest in veterans’ issues, which should prove relevant given the district’s high number of veterans and active-duty military personnel. He also said his experience as a restaurant owner and board member of the Pittsburgh Steelers gives him a valuable perspective on how to best aid the private sector in job creation. Both Walberg and Rooney spoke in favor of cutting taxes to help spur the state’s economy.

Last year Walberg drew attention on the campaign trail for inviting Rep. Joe Wilson to his district for a fundraiser shortly after Wilson shouted “You lie” at President Obama during his speech to a joint session of Congress. Walberg said Wilson regretted the statement and that it was born out of frustration.