Tim Walberg will seek an eighth term in 2022

From: The Daily Reporter

Tim Walberg is not waiting for the final redistricting vote to announce he is running for another term in 2022. 

The announcement came Wednesday in a press release from the 70-year old Republican from Tipton who has served as the U.S. Representative for Michigan's 7th congressional district since 2011. He previously represented the district for a single term 2007 to 2009.

All five of the redistricting proposals leave Walberg in what would become the Fifth Congressional district, mostly rural counties across the southern border of Michigan expanding on his current district westward. 

One proposed new district could include St. Joseph, Cass and Berrien counties, taking in the rural area represented by Republican Fred Upton. 

State Rep. Steve Carra of Three Rivers previously announced his intent to mount a primary bid to unseat Upton. Carra received the endorsement of former President Donald Trump after leading the push with fellow legislators for an audit of the 2020 Michigan election results. The idea was endorsed by Trump.

But Carra would not be able to face Upton in any of the five plans. All include St. Joseph County in the new Eight District, which would add back Calhoun, removed from the district in the 2010 reapportionment. All plans remove Eaton County from Walberg’s district and add Cass County. 

Depending on the plan, small rural areas of Kalamazoo and Berrien are included in three of the five plans. 

Walberg has on hand just under $1 million in his campaign account, according to the Federal Election Commission. 

In the previousthree elections, Walberg easily defeated Democratic challenger Gretchen Driskell, former Saline mayor and state legislator. In each of those three campaigns, he raised more than $2 million. 

Walberg was one of 147 Republicans lawmakers who raised objections to the official certification of electoral votes Jan. 6 in a joint session of Congress. 

His new campaign looks toward the current Biden administration.

"I understand citizens are angry about the direction of our country and afraid for the future, which is why I look forward to the next election when Republican victories will put the brakes on the reckless Biden administration and remove speaker (Nancy) Pelosi," Walberg said.

Walberg is a senior member of the Education and Labor Committee and Energy and Commerce Committee. In the House of Representatives, Tim has received national recognition for his record of “championing conservative values and successfully advancing common-sense policy solutions,” his announcement states.