MICH. – President Donald Trump took to Twitter on Saturday, Sep. 16 to lend his support to Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette, who announced his bid to win the Republican nomination for governor on Wednesday, Sep. 13.
“Attorney General Bill Shuette will be a fantastic Governor for the great State of Michigan,” Trump tweeted. “I am bringing back your jobs, and Bill will help!” (Trump later sent an updated tweet that spelled Schuette’s name correctly.)
Schuette tweeted back to thank the President for his support, saying that “working together, Michigan will start winning again with more jobs, growth, and paychecks.”
Democratic gubernatorial candidate, Gretchen Whitmer’s campaign, slammed the tweet in an email sent to supporters just minutes after Trump’s endorsement posted.
“Trump knows that Bill Schuette will do his bidding here in Michigan,” the email read. “We know Schuette’s agenda will hurt our workers, our women and families, raise health care costs on hardworking Michiganders, and rip away the funding to protect our Great Lakes.”
Whitmer’s opponent in the Democratic primary, Abdul El-Sayed, responded to the endorsement in a four-word tweet: “’Nuff said. Trump Junior.”
Michigan’s current governor, Rick Snyder, is term-limited.
Schuette’s opponents in the Republican primary currently include Jim Hines, Patrick Colbeck, Joseph DeRose, Mark McFarrlin, and Evan Space. Lieutenant Governor Brian Calley is expected to announce a campaign of his own soon.
Calley endorsed Trump in the 2016 election but revoked his endorsement after a tape of Billy Bush and Trump making lewd remarks about women leaked. Schuette initially endorsed Billy Bush’s first cousin, Jeb, but settled on Trump when the primaries ended.
Should he win the nomination, Schuette will have to face one of the Democrats currently vying for their party’s nomination in the general election. These potential opponents include Gretchen Whitmer, Abdul El-Sayed, Bill Cobbs, Justin Giroux, Kentiel White, and Shri Thanedar.