Cheney, Hageman endorse opposing Michigan rep. candidates

Nov. 2—CHEYENNE — Following the endorsement by U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., of Michigan Democratic candidate U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin last Thursday, Republican U.S. House primary winner Harriet Hageman backed Slotkin's opponent.

Monday morning, Hageman endorsed Republican U.S. House candidate Tom Barrett, who is vying for the incumbent's seat in the general election on Nov. 8. Libertarian candidate Leah Dailey is also on the ballot.

Cheney said she was proud to endorse Slotkin, because she had come to know the lawmaker as an honorable public servant in their time together on the Armed Services Committee. She said she knew Slotkin works hard for her constituents, wants what's best for the country and "is in this for the right reasons."

"While Elissa and I have our policy disagreements, at a time when our nation is facing threats at home and abroad, we need serious, responsible, substantive members like Elissa in Congress," Cheney said in the endorsement statement. "I encourage all voters in the 7th District — Republicans, Democrats, and Independents — to support her in this election."

Cheney was to have attended an "Evening for Patriotism and Bipartisanship" event Tuesday with Slotkin in Michigan.

Republican state Sen. Barrett is approaching the end of his first term in state office. He served in the U.S. Army for both Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi freedom, as well as a helicopter pilot in the Michigan Army National Guard.

"What I've read about Elissa (is) that she has voted for over $10 trillion in additional spending, she has supported Joe Biden 100% of the time and Nancy Pelosi 98% of the time. It just absolutely sickens me that Liz Cheney would be associated with her in any way whatsoever," Hageman told reporters at The Detroit News on Monday.

Hageman didn't respond to requests for comment from the Wyoming Tribune Eagle on the endorsement.

Jasmine Hall is the Wyoming Tribune Eagle's state government reporter. She can be reached by email at jhall@wyomingnews.com or by phone at 307-633-3167. Follow her on Twitter @jasminerhphotos and on Instagram @jhrose25.