Vulnerable Michigan Democrat’s Lead Erased After Campaign Event With Liz Cheney, New Poll Shows

A campaign stump from Rep. Liz Cheney (R-WY) appears to have had no positive effect for a vulnerable House Democrat in Michigan.

A survey conducted Wednesday of 402 likely voters in Michigan’s 7th Congressional District showed Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) in a dead heat with Republican challenger Tom Barrett. The new poll from Mitchell Research/MIRS suggests a huge drop in support for Slotkin in recent weeks.

“We conducted a small sample survey (N=283) in the 7th Congressional District three weeks ago that showed Slotkin leading by 11 percent (53%-42%). However, as we are seeing nationwide and within Michigan, there seems to be a late last minute surge to Republican candidates,” Steve Mitchell, president of Mitchell Research, said in a statement.

Slotkin led by as many as 18 points, according to a September poll, before her lead was cut to six points in a poll conducted a month later; Cook Political Report has rated the race a toss up. Michigan will be a closely-watched state on Tuesday as Republicans look to flip multiple House seats and vote first-term Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer out of office. The Mitchell Research poll also showed the Republican gubernatorial candidate Tudor Dixon slightly leading Whitmer among voters in the 7th district.

The most recent survey of the House race was conducted the day after Cheney traveled to the Great Lakes State to speak at a campaign event in support of the Michigan Democrat. Cheney focused her speech on restoring a republic she believes has been damaged by many in the Republican Party.

“If we want to ensure this revival of our republic, we have to walk away from politics as usual,” the Republican told a crowd of 500, according to the Detroit News, adding. “If the people in our party are not doing the job they need to do, then we’re going to vote for the people in the other party.”

Slotkin rehashed Cheney’s concern for the state of American politics, saying that the biggest issue the two agree on is “preserving American democracy.”

The Democrat’s GOP opponent Barrett railed against Cheney and Slotkin, calling them “war-hawks.” Barrett was endorsed by Harriet Hageman who defeated Cheney in Wyoming’s Republican primary in August.

“People are sick and tired of these establishment forces hanging together, no matter what,” Barrett said. “The phony idea that Elissa Slotkin and Liz Cheney are now part of some non-partisan coalition together – the only thing they brought us is the misery we’re all feeling right now.”