Former GOP Congressman Rep. Joe Schwarz announces support for Harris-Walz

TUESDAY, Oct. 15 — Former Michigan Republican Congressman Joe Schwarz announced his endorsement today of the Harris-Walz ticket, joining other state GOP politicos who have rejected Donald Trump.

“This November,” Schwarz said in a statement issued by the Harris-Walz campaign, “Michiganders have a choice between a person who incited one of the worst attacks on American democracy in our history or someone who believes in the Constitution and is fighting to create jobs, lower health care costs and protect our fundamental freedoms.

“Now more than ever, we need a principled leader who unites us — not someone who is divisive and who threatens to end democracy. I am proud to help be a part of Republicans for Harris to bring patriotic and sensible Americans together to reject Donald Trump and what he stands for.” 

Schwarz, 87, is a Battle Creek physician and former state senator long associated with moderate Republican positions. He represented the old 7^th Congressional District for one term in the mid-2000s. His district included Grand Ledge and other areas in Eaton County close to Lansing.

Michigan Republicans, led by former U.S. Rep. Dave Trott and GOP strategist Bill Knowling, announced the creation of Michigan Republicans for Harris-Walz 12 days ago. It is part of a grassroots national movement headlined by former Vice President Dick Cheney and his daughter, former U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney.

Schwarz has also endorsed Democrat Curtis Hertel Jr. in his race against Republican Tom Barrett in the new 7^th Congressional District to succeed Rep. Elissa Slotkin, the Democratic U.S. Senate candidate.

In a telephone interview, Schwarz said he has considered himself an independent “for years.” For example, he said he supports Mike Rogers, Slotkin’s Republican Senate opponent. “Mike is an independent thinker” and a “close friend” from their days serving in the state Senate together, he said. He added that Slotkin is a “very good candidate.”

As for Trump, Schwarz expressed concerns about Trump’s mental capacity.

“He has difficulty sticking to a topic, analyzing a topic, and coming up with plans,” Schwarz said. “He has attention span problems — of course, that’s the doctor talking. If you talk to people who have dealt with him, as I have,  he can’t stick to a topic conversation."

Schwarz said he finds that problem especially worrisome when it comes to dealing with national security.

Speaking about Michigan politics, Schwarz said a “fairly good chunk of Republicans don’t want to vote for Trump and are scanning their options.” However, they are concerned that Vice President Kamala Harris may be too liberal.

He said Harris will have a “great opportunity to turn that train around” in a Fox News interview tomorrow.

“She needs to get in line with the moderate wing of the Republican Party” and demonstrate that she “hasn’t fallen off the lefthand side of the world.”

At the same time, “she needs to be careful of not going too far right so she does not dissatisfy moderates like myself.”