Eye on 2010

Even before Rooney officially announced, the Walberg camp was dismissing him as a carpetbagger for only recently moving into the district.

Rooney, the brother of Rep. Tom Rooney, R-Fla., acknowledges that he has been living in Wayne County, to the east of the district border, and says he has lived in Michigan for a little more than three years after service as a U.S. Marine which had him moving "all around the country and world."

"When I finally settled my family in one place it was Michigan," Rooney said, adding that he had no intention of running for office at the time and didn't make his decision based on where district lines were drawn. "I wouldn't expect a politician to understand that."

Voters in south-central Michigan can expect to hear more of that military-man-vs.-career-politician contrast as the race goes on. Professional and personal background are likely to play a large role in the GOP primary since there is not much ideological daylight between the three candidates, who all voice strong fiscally and socially conservative views.

Rooney said he brings a "different leadership style" and a "different life story," than Walberg, and is trying to couch himself as a fresh face. Walberg, for his part, has no intention of running away from his political record, touting his mix of experience in both elected office and the private sector.

Both Rooney and Walberg are on the same page, however, when it comes to their criticism of Schauer, whom they both accuse of toeing the Democratic party line despite campaigning as a centrist in 2008. Both campaigns have also gone after Schauer for claiming in an Oct. 29 interview with a local news outlet that he was "very involved in rewriting this health care bill."

Claiming "ownership of the health care bill... will not bode well for him," Rooney predicted.

CQ Politics rates the general election contest Leans Democratic.

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