Paul Junge, one of the Republicans vying in the Aug. 4 primary to take on first-term U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin, has received the endorsement of Livingston County Sheriff Mike Murphy, who cites as Junge’s strengths his experience as a deputy prosecutor in a domestic violence unit, in creating jobs in his family business, and working as an appointee in the Trump Administration to stop illegal immigration.
“I strongly endorse Paul Junge because he will take a thoughtful approach to consider all aspects of legislation and stand firm to support the safety and security of our families, build a healthy economy, and defend our values and Constitutional rights,” Murphy said.
“I am honored to be endorsed by Sheriff Mike Murphy, a highly-respected, principled leader in the Livingston County community,” Junge said. “Sheriff Murphy’s leadership to keep families safe and his work with non-profit and civic groups is the essence of public service. During these times of turmoil, I’m focused on uniting Americans around our shared values of keeping our families safe, rebuilding our economy and putting America First.”
Junge, who is challenging first-term Democrat Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin, is the only candidate in southeast Michigan to reach “Contender” status by the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) in its Young Guns program, which is for candidates in open or challenger seats for which the Republican has a favorable opportunity for victory. “Contender” status is step two of three, and Junge achieving “Contender” status signifies he is building a strong campaign to defeat Slotkin.
ABOUT THE RACE
U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin, a moderate Democrat, flipped the 8th District seat held by Republicans for almost two decades by beating U.S. Rep. Mike Bishop, R-Rochester, in 2018.
Candidates in the Republican primary include Mike Detmer of Howell, a sales manger at an automobile dealership; Alan Hoover, an Iraq veteran and entrepreneur from Ortonville in Oakland County; Paul Junge of Brighton, a former prosecutor and TV news anchor; and Kristina Lyke of Fowlerville, an attorney at Lyke Law in East Lansing. Nikki Snyder, a member of the state Board of Education who doesn’t live in the district, but said she’d move in if elected, did not have enough valid signatures to make the ballot.
The 8th Congressional District includes all of Livingston and Ingham counties, and northern Oakland County.
