Epstein, Raczkowski Join Race To Replace Trott

PLYMOUTH, MI — Kurt Heise better not wait too long to make a decision about running for retiring U.S. Rep. Dave Trott’s 11th District seat. That’s because a pair of well-known Republicans jumped into the mix over the weekend.

Former State Rep. Rocky Raczkowski and businesswoman Lena Epstein, who had been in the race for a U.S. Senate seat, made formal announcements. Raczkowski, of Troy, said in a Facebook post “we’re going to win. Period.

“I am a conservative, God fearing patriot that believes that a single person can still change the World for the better,” he added. “Please consider this my personal request for you to examine all the candidates that will be running, and I hope to personally earn your support!”

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Epstein, of Bloomfield Hills, is co-owner of Vesco Oil Corp., according to her website. She co-chaired President Donald Trump Michigan’s campaign and counts herself as a strong Second Amendment proponent who also supports many of the same “America First” policies as Trump.

“I believe in strong immigration policies that defund sanctuary cities and support Building the Wall,” Epstein states in her platform. “I am a fiscal conservative who believes in reforming the tax code to spur job creation and economic growth.”

Trott, a Birmingham Republican, announced on Sept. 11 that he would not seek re-election. Since then, it’s been a mad scramble for potential Republican candidates, including Heise.

"It's one of those things I've thought about over the years," Heise told the Plymouth Observer last week. "Now that the seat is open, I'm doing my due diligence to see what the lay of the land looks like."

The 11th U.S. District stretches from Wayne County, including Canton and Plymouth in the south, to Oakland County and Milford, Novi, Auburn Hills and Troy in the north. State Sens. Marty Knollenberg of Troy and Mike Kowall of White Lake Township, state Reps. Laura Cox of Livonia have also expressed interest, the Detroit News reported.

Photo courtesy of Lena Epstein