Mark Schauer

Campaign trails wait as candidates get social

Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 18:22:12 +0000

This week on It's Just Politics, it's all about the art of the campaign announcement.

This morning Congressman Mike Rogers surprised no one when he told the world, or, at least, the state of Michigan, that he will not be a candidate to fill the U.S. Senate vacancy created by the retirement of Carl Levin in 2014. Rogers says he has too much on his plate as the chair of the House Intelligence Committee. And, there’s truth to that: Syria, Iran, and North Korea, not to mention the renewed scrutiny over how the U.S. gathers intelligence. A very competitive U.S. doesn’t fit well with those big responsibilities.

We should point out Mike Rogers could not do that job if he didn’t live in the safely Republican 8th Congressional District, nicely drawn for him courtesy of the Michigan Legislature’s GOP majorities. Rogers hasn’t had a tough race since his first congressional race in 2000. That race against Democrat Dianne Byrum a dozen years ago was one of the closest in the country. But that’s not a problem for Rogers anymore. He probably has this seat for as long as he wants it.

Rogers let us know his plans via e-mail, which is how it’s done these days. Earlier this month, Republican Terri Lynn Land announced her U.S. Senate plans (she’s in) on Twitter. And, former-Michigan Congressman Mark Schauer did the same thing; filed his papers to run for Governor as a Democrat and, then, Tweeted it.

The week in review: Mackinac Policy Conference, Schauer runs for Governor, and the Ambassador Bridge

Rina Miller and Jack Lessenberry — Sat, 01 Jun 2013 13:30:00 +0000

On Saturdays, Michigan Radio's Rina Miller checks in with our political analyst, Jack Lessenberry.

This week, Lessenberry attended the Mackinac Policy Conference.

He says one of the takeaways this year is that the business community is happy with the state's direction.

Mark Schauer talks about his run for Michigan governor

Stateside Staff — Thu, 30 May 2013 20:55:21 +0000

It appears the 2014 race for Michigan governor has taken a big step toward being firmed up.

Former Michigan Congressman Mark Schauer has filed papers to run as a Democrat.

Other Democrats had tested the water, explored their chances and stepped off in favor of Schauer.

His political career began with the Battle Creek City Commission, then on to the State Legislature, and then to Congress, where he served one term representing the Battle Creek area before being unseated in a 2011 rematch with Tim Walberg.

Mark Schauer is at the Mackinac Policy Conference and he joined us from Mackinac Island.

Listen to the full interview above.

Stateside for Thursday, May 30th, 2013

Stateside Staff — Thu, 30 May 2013 19:59:53 +0000

If you live in Michigan there’s a good chance you’ll head up north this summer, or maybe west to bask in the sun on Lake Michigan, but if you’re still not sure where to escape this summer, we have some fun tips on hidden vacation gems you are sure to enjoy.

And, Rick Pluta gave us an update on the Mackinac Policy Conference.

And, Daniel Howes shared his insights on how the financial and investing world views the Detroit auto companies.

This week in Michigan politics: Hathaway sentencing, Schauer's bid for governor, education funding

Jack Lessenberry and Emily Fox — Wed, 29 May 2013 12:58:01 +0000

This week in Michigan politics, Emily Fox and Jack Lessenberry discuss the sentencing of former Michigan Supreme Court Justice Diane Hathaway, former Congressman’s Mark Schauer’s run for governor, and a proposed funding increase for education in the state budget this year.

Schauer to run for Michigan Governor, 2014 battle lines coming into focus

Rick Pluta — Tue, 28 May 2013 21:20:08 +0000

The field seems cleared for two sons of Battle Creek to face each other in the 2014 race for Michigan governor.

Former Congressman Mark Schauer filed papers today to run as a Democrat.

Other Democrats explored the possibility and dropped back in favor of Schauer, whose political career spans from the Battle Creek City Commission, to the state Legislature and Congress.

Michigan Democratic Party Chair Lon Johnson says the early start – the 2014 elections are 17 months away – will help Schauer challenge Republican Governor Rick Snyder.

What's in store for the Michigan Republican Party in Election 2014

Stateside Staff — Tue, 28 May 2013 20:39:50 +0000

Focus is starting to turn to Election 2014 in Michigan.

Former Democratic Congressman Mark Schauer filed paperwork this morning to run against Governor Rick Snyder in 2014, assuming that the Governor does, in fact, decide to run for a second term.

And Democratic Congressman Gary Peters announced earlier this month that he’ll run for the U.S. Senate seat open in 2014 because of Carl Levin’s retirement.

So, it appears that the Democrats are beginning to get their ducks in a row, but what about Republicans?

Bobby Schostak, Chairman of the Michigan Republican Party, joined us today in the studio.

Listen to the full interview above.

Weekly Political Roundup: Buena Vista schools, Democrat Mark Schauer

Jennifer White and Mercedes Mejia — Fri, 10 May 2013 16:10:36 +0000

Each week, we talk Michigan politics with Susan Demas, political analyst for Michigan Information and Research Service, and Ken Sikkema, former Senate Majority Leader and Senior Policy Fellow at Public Sector Consultants.

This week the Buena Vista School District closed due to a lack of funds. The state took away funding because the district was taking money from the state for a program they were no longer operating.

Teachers in that district offered to work for free, but the district closed anyway. Now, the state says their hands are tied.

"Well this is a big issue. We haven't had a school district close because of lack of funding for 20 years. That was Kalkaska in 1993, which really precipitated the passage of Proposal A, school finance reform. Buena Vista is a small district...and these 400 kids have to be in the classroom. I don't think there is any question about that in anybody's mind. And, the state and local officials are going to have to figure out a way to get these children back into a classroom immediately," said Sikkema.

Commentary: The Democrats' gamble

Jack Lessenberry — Fri, 10 May 2013 12:41:26 +0000

How much do you know about Mark Schauer? Well, unless you are from Battle Creek, the answer is: Probably not nearly as much as you are going to know a year and a half from now. That’s because he is going to be the Democrats’ nominee for governor next year. That may surprise you.

Most normal humans aren’t thinking about next year’s elections. They are thinking about finally getting their lawn furniture out now that they are finally convinced it isn’t going to snow anymore.

But the Democrats are thinking about those elections. This has been a terrible last two years for them. They hate much of what Governor Rick Snyder and the Republican legislature has done, most of all, making this a right-to-work state.

They also hate the fact that they are utterly irrelevant in Lansing. The battles going on in state government these days are mainly between the Republican governor and his fellow Republicans who control both houses of the legislature.

Fixing Michigan's roads

Steve Carmody — Mon, 21 May 2012 19:36:00 +0000

Time is running out for Congress to pass a new federal transportation funding bill.

The last funding bill expired in 2009. Congress has passed a series of extensions of the old law since then.

A coalition of Michigan environmental groups and unions say the ongoing delay is hurting state roads.

Mark Schauer is the head of the BlueGreen Alliance. The former Michigan congressman says the state’s roads are deteriorating, in part, because Congress can’t agree on a new six year federal transportation spending plan.

“I’m sure I’m not the only one that had to replace a tire as a result of hitting a huge pothole," says Schauer.

Michigan Congressmen Dave Camp and Fred Upton are on the special House-Senate conference committee working on the transportation bill. A spokeswoman for the committee says discussions continue with hopes of reaching an agreement before the deadline at the end of next month.

Remembering Howard Wolpe

Steve Carmody — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 17:08:18 +0000

A large turnout is expected today at a memorial service for former Michigan congressman Howard Wolpe.

Wolpe died October 25^th at his home in Saugatuck. He was 71.

Former Michigan congressman Mark Schauer will be among the speakers at the memorial service at Western Michigan University. He says Wolpe was a mentor and inspiration.

"He made his decisions based on principles and values…and intelligence. And always trying to do what’s right for the people he represented," says Schauer.

Wolpe represented Kalamazoo in Congress for seven terms and ran unsuccessfully for governor in 1994.

Schauer of Michigan says he won't run in '12

The Associated Press — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 14:26:28 +0000

DETROIT (AP) - Former U.S. Rep. Mark Schauer of Battle Creek says he won't run for Congress next year.

The Democrat made the announcement in an email sent to supporters on Wednesday.

The decision means Republican U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg will get a new Democratic opponent after facing Schauer for the past two elections.

Last year, Walberg beat the then-incumbent Schauer in a contentious rematch of their 2008 race that saw Schauer unseat Walberg, who was then a freshman in Congress.

In the email, Schauer writes that, despite his decision, he still sees south-central Michigan's 7th District as "winnable for a Democratic candidate in 2012."

Schauer currently serves as national co-chair of the BlueGreen Alliance Jobs 21! Campaign.

Supporters nervous as first results trickle in

Wed, 03 Nov 2010 01:00:43 +0000

"And now the hand wringing begins" said a nervous supporter at the Mark Schauer victory party.

The incumbent Democratic congressman's party on the 16th floor of the McCamly Hotel is filling up. People here are glancing more and more frequently at the TV monitors and lap top screens. The race between Schauer and former congressman, turned challenger Republican Tim Walberg is expected to be close. Very Close.

The waiting begins for candidates in the 7th congressional district

Wed, 03 Nov 2010 00:19:09 +0000

Victory parties are getting underway for candidates in Michigan's 7th congressional district. On the 16th floor of the McCamly Hotel in Battle Creek, a spokesman for incumbent Democrat Mark Schauer says they are cautiously optimistic. Republican challenger Tim Walberg's party is in downtown Jackson. Two years, the race was not decided until well after midnight.

7th Congressional District race - familiar faces

Wed, 27 Oct 2010 17:09:40 +0000

Voters in the 7^th congressional district will have two familiar choices on the ballot in November. They faced each other before. This time the result may be different.

When you are congressman running for re-election you walk in a lot of parades. Democrat Mark Schauer spent a recent September day walking in Charlotte’s Frontier Days parade. The crowd lining the parade route was polite, but several people like Liz Goble were not happy to see Mark Schauer.

Tea Party Express rolling toward Michigan

Sun, 24 Oct 2010 22:41:24 +0000

The Tea Party Express is scheduled to roll into Michigan this week, just days before next month’s pivotal mid-term election.

The conservative voters group has been holding rallies across the United States for the past week.

The Tea Party Express has two stops planned in Michigan this Friday, one for a rally in Jackson and the second in Troy. Those rallies will both take place in the hearts of two heavily contested congressional races.

Running for Congress: Schauer and Walberg debate

Steve Carmody — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 21:04:44 +0000

Social Security sparked a spirited debate between the two major party candidates running for Michigan's 7th Congressional seat.