Schauer excited to represent district

Congressman-elect Mark Schauer, D-Battle Creek, said he is excited about facing the state’s looming challenges and opportunities. Schauer defeated incumbent Rep. Tim Walberg, R-Tipton, by about 8,000 votes Tuesday and in January will become the first Democrat to represent the 7th District in Congress since Lenawee County was added through redistricting.

“I am very excited, though it’s kind of blunted by fatigue,” he said Wednesday. “I’m looking forward to the incredible personal transition with the opportunity to roll up my sleeves and get to work.”

Schauer has been the minority leader in the Michigan Senate the past two years, but will be part of the majority party in Washington. He said the spirit of bipartisanship will have to be an important part of addressing the problems and issues facing America.

“We have a lot of work to do. We clearly need bipartisan solutions in Washington. Don’t think that one party has the monopoly on good ideas,” he said by telephone. “This congressional delegation has very talented people. I have known and worked with many of them for a number of years.”

Orientation for the new Congress will be in mid-November. The new representative said he is eager to begin working with the new administration.

“I have met President Obama several times and have had the opportunity to talk to him about the challenges facing Michigan,” Schauer said. “We still have some Michigan Senate business to do.”

Help for the Big Three auto companies is high on the list of priorities for Schauer. Continuing efforts at developing alternative energy sources is another; Schauer said Michigan is among the leaders in the nation in developing new energy technology.

“Our first priority is to determine what we need to do to help the domestic car companies,” he said. “We also have to see how this bailout package will directly affect the people of Michigan, including dealing with foreclosures and rebuilding credit. We need to find clear steps we can take to address our economic situation.”

As for the campaign, Schauer said one of the hardest types of races to run is taking on an incumbent. In the end, though, the people chose change, he said.

“At the end of the day, the public said it wants change in the economic policies,” Schauer said. “Now we have to look for results.”

Since Lenawee County became part of the 7th District following redistricting, only Republicans have been elected to Congress. Nick Smith, R-Addison, served for six terms; Joe Schwarz, R-Battle Creek, and Walberg each served for one. The district includes all of Lenawee, Hillsdale, Jackson, Branch and Eaton counties, and parts of Washtenaw and Calhoun counties.

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