Kildee backs Slotkin for Senate in Michigan

Washington — U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin picked up her third endorsement from Michigan's congressional delegation Thursday with the backing of retiring U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee.

Slotkin, a Holly Democrat in her third term, is running for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate in the race to succeed retiring Sen. Debbie Stabenow of Lansing. 

Kildee of Flint Township is the delegation's most senior House Democrat and represents the Tri-Cities region of Michigan. Slotkin and Kildee both represent competitive House districts and are members of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus.

“For the last five years I’ve seen Elissa Slotkin be one of the most effective and hardworking legislators in Congress,” Kildee said in a statement. “Elissa has shown an unmatched commitment to her constituents ― not just by showing up and listening but by actually finding ways to get things done."

Kildee highlighted issues that Slotkin has prioritized in Congress including lowering the cost of prescription drugs, reducing gun violence and returning manufacturing jobs from overseas.

"At such a pivotal time for our country and our state, one thing is absolutely certain to me — Elissa Slotkin is the best person to represent Michigan in the U.S. Senate," Kildee said.

Kildee led a list of Democratic officials from his district backing Slotkin on Thursday including Bay County Executive and former U.S. Rep. Jim Barcia, Genesee County Treasurer Deb Cherry and Genesee County Prosecutor David Leyton.

Kildee's nod comes after another Senate candidate from his district, State Board of Education President Pamela Pugh of Saginaw, dropped out and declared a campaign for Kildee's seat after he decided not to run for reelection.

Other candidates in the primary include the actor Hill Harper of Detroit, Dearborn businessman Nasser Beydoun and attorney Zack Burns of Ann Arbor. Former state Rep. Leslie Love dropped out earlier this month.

The only other candidate in the field to have been endorsed by a member of the Michigan delegation is former U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, a Republican, who is supported by Rep. Tim Walberg of Tipton.

Other contenders in the GOP primary include former U.S. Rep. Peter Meijer of Grand Rapids Township, former Detroit Police Chief James Craig and businessman Sandy Pensler of Grosse Pointe Park.

Slotkin was the first to announce in the race to succeed Stabenow and has led the field in fundraising with $11.7 million raised and $6 million in the bank as of Dec. 31.

mburke@detroitnews.com