Obama endorses Shkreli in Michigan congressional race
Michigan endorsement one of 30 made by president across the U.S.
Obama endorses Shkreli in Michigan congressional race Michigan endorsement one of 30 made by president across the U.S. Check out this story on Freep.com: http://on.freep.com/2eKxa2A
Todd Spangler, Detroit Free Press Published 12:52 p.m. ET Oct. 24, 2016 | Updated 11:16 p.m. ET Oct. 24, 2016
Suzanna Shkreli(Photo: DCCC)
WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama on Monday endorsed Assistant Macomb County Prosecutor Suzanna Shkreli of Clarkston in her race against U.S. Rep. Mike Bishop, R-Rochester.
Obama's endorsement of Shkreli, a political newcomer and the Democratic nominee in Michigan's 8th Congressional District against Bishop, came as he endorsed 30 Democrats in congressional races across the U.S.
Bloomberg, Politico and other media outlets reported on Obama's endorsements, noting that they are being made at a time when Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump's poll numbers against Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton continue to falter and Obama's favorability ratings are high.
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Shkreli is the only Michigan nominee who received the endorsement, with Obama calling her "the kind of leader we need to create a stronger, safer, fairer country for working families."
"I am beyond honored to have the endorsement of Barack Obama," said Shkreli, who entered the race against Bishop some months ago after "Little House on the Prairie" actress Melissa Gilbert — who won the Democratic primary — left the race for medical issues.
Bishop is still considered a strong bet to win as an incumbent in a district that leans Republican, though Democrats are hoping to use Trump's negatives against him. If Republican voters were to stay home on Election Day, it could offer Shkreli a chance, though it would be a major upset, with her little known in political circles and the district being one in which Mitt Romney, the Republican nominee in 2012, beat Obama by 3 percentage points four years ago.
"Liberal Democrats want a liberal candidate who will help Hillary Clinton and Congressional Democrats pass their liberal agenda," Stu Sandler, Bishop's campaign spokesman, said of the endorsement.
Contact Todd Spangler: 703-854-8947 or tspangler@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @tsspangler.
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