Skinner drops bid for Congress in 9th District

Skinner drops bid for Congress in Oakland County

2/25/2008, 5:29 p.m. ET The Associated Press

ROYAL OAK, Mich. (AP) — Democrat Nancy Skinner is no longer running for Congress in Oakland County.

The former radio talk show host lost to Republican Representative Joe Knollenberg in a close race in 2006.

She was expected to face former state lottery commissioner Gary Peters this year in the Democratic primary in the 9th District, which includes parts of Oakland County.

Skinner announced her decision to withdraw Monday.

She says Democrats need to rally behind Peters, who was beating her in fundraising. Skinner says a costly primary would have jeopardized Democrats' chances of beating Knollenberg in November.

Knollenberg is a major target for Democrats.

Skinner says she will devote more time to her consulting business and appear as a commentator on cable TV shows.

Politically Speaking: Skinner: All-star, but can she hit? No!

In today's Detroit Free Press, the Politically Speaking column covers Nancy Skinners being the DFA All-star, but they also mention she only had $6700 as of the end of December in cash on hand.

Click here for the story.

An All-Star, but can she hit?

Nancy Skinner of Royal Oak got a boost in her challenge to Republican Rep. Joe Knollenberg last week.

Democracy for America, a progressive blog, named Skinner its 2008 All-Star among 98 candidates for Congress. It could bring Skinner much-needed campaign cash. She reported only $6,785 in her campaign fund at the end of 2007, compared with Knollenberg's $1,035,640.

Skinner's Democratic rival for the seat, ex-lottery commissioner Gary Peters, reported $358,516.

Peters is to campaign today with U.S. Rep. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., who heads the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.