Some Trump administration officials are actively looking for ways to help Kid Rock run and win a U.S. Senate seat in Michigan, according to multiple sources close to the administration.
Two people with detailed knowledge of internal White House political dealings spoke on the condition of anonymity with Independent Journal Review, and cited a heavy curiosity by administration officials over the rap/rock superstar’s flirtation with running for office.
Rock, whose real name is Robert James Ritchie, was one of Donald Trump’s biggest supporters on the campaign trail. Rock recently visited the president in the White House, accompanied by Sarah Palin and Ted Nugent. Three months after that meeting, Rock stunned the political world by launching a Senate campaign website, posting yard signs, and releasing his first policy statement.
The moves seem to be resonating with large audiences online and frustrating Senate Democratic leaders, who are already emailing constituents, warning of the potential of a Senator Rock.
Facebook/Sarah Palin
Now, Independent Journal Review has learned that Rock’s potential run has caught the attention of the West Wing.
“Top personnel in the administration have personally reached out, offering anything they can do to help,” according to the operative, “They’re very interested in convincing him to run and asked that we keep them posted on developments. They were very interested.”
Another source, who works in the administration, tells IJR bluntly, “Kid Rock supported us. He’s a Republican. We won Michigan. Makes sense, right?”
When asked to comment further on the offers of direct campaign assistance, the source demurred and said the White House will be “barnstorming for a wide variety” of GOP candidates across the country.
Potential Senator Kid Rock, considering legislation.
Facebook/Sarah Palin
As Kid Rock mulls his run, Michigan insiders are betting big on the race. Michigan native and GOP political operative Dennis Lennox tells IJR that Rock could win the GOP primary in Michigan, saying, “It won’t be close.”
“If he gets in, presuming he crosses the T’s and dots the I’s, he will be the Republican nominee,” Lennox says noting that people inside the Michigan GOP know that Rock “had meetings with the White House” but have yet to receive any formal filing paperwork from the musician.
“He needs to get in now and clear the field,” Lennox says, affirming that Rock will present a truly unique challenge to incumbent Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI).
“Stabenow has held this or that political office since 1975,” Lennox added. “They won’t know what to do because Kid Rock won’t play by the conventional rules.”
Whether Kid Rock runs or not, the Michigan seat is one that Democrats can ill-afford to lose as the 2018 midterm election nears. Democrats must defend 23 Senate seats, many of which are seen as vulnerable Republican pick-ups in states that Trump won. Michigan is one of those states and Democratic leadership is already feeling the heat.
As IJR has previously reported, last week, Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Chuck Schumer (D-NY) both sent emails to their supporters and donors warning of a potential Senator Rock. In an ominous email, Warren declares Rock is the new Donald Trump:
I know a lot of people are thinking: this is some sort of joke, right? Well, maybe this is all a joke — but we all thought Donald Trump was joking when he rode down the escalator at Trump Tower and announced his campaign, too. And sure, maybe this is just a marketing gimmick for a new album or tour — but we all thought Donald Trump was just promoting his reality TV show, too.
Schumer scolded that Rock seeking the Senate seat was not “funny”:
Kid Rock — yes, Kid Rock — tweeted that he’s running for Senate in Michigan. He even launched a Senate website operated by a record label. So, I’ll be honest, we don’t know if this is real, a joke, or a bizarre publicity stunt. But I’ll tell you this: I don’t find it funny.
So should the political world get ready to Rock? We will find out soon enough as a candidate has a limited window of time under FEC regulations to file a committee once he or she has spent or received $5,000. Based on the number of people wearing Kid Rock hats, he has definitely raised enough.
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