UPDATE: 8th District race

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 6 — Eric Schertzing may have found a slogan for his campaign for Congress:

“I am a breath of fresh air.”

That’s how he described himself today on City Pulse’s radio show after defeating three opponents in the Democratic primary race on Tuesday.

“Washington is broken,” Schertzing said. “Mike Bishop is only going to give us more of the same.”

Bishop, a former state Senate majority leader, won the GOP nomination. He easily defeated state Rep. Tom McMillin for the nomination.

Schertzing and Bishop are vying to replace Mike Rogers, a Republican who has represented the 8^th Congressional District since 2001.

“Bishop’s record is one of serving special interests,” Schertzing declared. “I’m a breath of fresh air.”

Schertzing, 52, who is the Ingham County treasurer, defeated runnerup Susan Grettenberger of Lansing, 43 percent to 39 percent. Ken Darga of Lansing came in third and Jeffrey Hank of East Lansing fourth, each with fewer than 10 percent of the vote.

All four attended a unity luncheon at Sir Pizza in Old Town.

“Folks are fed up with gridlock,” Schertzing told reporters at the luncheon. “People expect something positive.”

“Bishop represents more of the same.”