'Absolute disaster': Some Dems fear 2-time loser set to tank chance to flip critical state
A two-time loser has some Democrats freaking out that plans for a third run for a congressional seat will bury the party’s chances in Michigan, according to a report.
Carl Marlinga, a former judge who is in his 70s, is planning to run against sitting Rep. John James (R-MI), two people who were part of the private conversation told Politico.
He already ran in the 2022 midterms and again in 2024, both times losing to James.
His runs were targeted by GOP ad campaigns that highlighted some of his clients as an attorney, with the tagline “Pedophile protector Carl Marlinga,” Politico reported Friday.
He declined to confirm his plans to run when contacted by the news outlet.
“Democratic recruiters believe that Marlinga, who is saddled with baggage from his time as a judge and an attorney, cannot flip the district,” Politico reported.
“Between his age, refusal to run a serious campaign, and the ‘Pedophile Protector’ hit — Carl Marlinga running in 2026 would be an absolute disaster for House Democrats,” a party operative told Politico.
But the party fears his high name recognition would mean he’d likely win a Democratic primary for the party’s nomination.