The Republican Governors Association is reportedly putting pressure on governor candidate Bill Schuette to shake up his campaign team at the highest levels.
The Republican Governors Association raised some eyebrows recently when, out of nowhere, it yanked about $2 million away from the Bill Schuette campaign for governor.
Two Republican sources reveal that the RGA chair, Governor Bill Haslam of Tennessee, and others wanted to send a signal that some changes in the Schuette campaign were needed or else the RGA would not send the candidate any more funds.
They wanted a “young and aggressive” campaign manager.
And this was before two recent polls showing Democratic Gretchen Whitmer with a double-digit lead over Mr. Schuette.
Up until now, Mr. Schuette has rejected the advice and stayed with his older senior advisors whom he has known for years, including campaign manager Lori Wortz, Rusty Hills and John Sellek.
The RGA chair is in the state campaigning with Mr. Schuette and his office issued this statement which does not address the reported need for a change.
“The RGA is engaged in this race because we know he can win.”
The betting money is, behind closed doors, there will be a conversation about the campaign leadership.
The Schuette campaign dismisses the supposed call for a campaign shake up, “part of the rumor mill that spins full time in Lansing.”
Bouncing campaign chairs is not unusual. Ms. Whitmer is now on her third campaign manager.
The question is, with the reported heat on Mr. Schuette, will he make his move there too or run the risk of losing millions of dollars which he needs to win?
