She didn't make as much noise as the other candidates in 2007, but Sharon Renier is still running for Congress in 2008. From the Jackson Citizen Patriot:

Sharon Renier will officially kick off her congressional campaign at noon Monday with a flag-raising ceremony at her Munith farm, 10716 McCreery Road.

Renier, an organic farmer, is running as a Democrat for Michigan's 7th District seat in the U.S. House. She will face off against state Senate Minority Leader Mark Schauer, D-Battle Creek, in the August primary.

The winner will run against incumbent U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg, R-Tipton.

Local veterans will perform a flag service at noon and an organic, farm-raised lunch featuring pork, chicken and pasta will be served.

Renier's campaign Web site, www.renier4rep.com, will launch Monday as well.

The 7th District covers Jackson, Hillsdale, Branch, Eaton and Lenawee counties and parts of Calhoun and Washtenaw counties.

I can't make it, but I'd love to hear from anyone that attends the kick-off. I'm actually really curious to see what she has planned and to see how she performs. Remember, she won two Democratic primaries (2004 and 2006) where she was not considered the favorite, upsetting more "establishment" choices. Now, both of those were low-profile contests overshadowed by the GOP contests, with next to no money spent by any Democratic candidate. But it's still an achievement most people can't claim.

Having met Sharon Renier and seen her debate Tim Walberg, I can say that she has a certain appeal. At the same time, I don't know how she'll do against the campaign experience Schauer and his team have. Money, endorsements, and institutional support all point to Mark Schauer winning the primary, but Sharon Renier could mix things up.

Of course, she's only raised $1,555 and she has $52 cash-on-hand, compared to Schauer's $500,721. That's a big gap.

All of this is said with my usual caveat that I'm not endorsing anyone on this blog. I have my own preference between Renier and Schauer, but I'm doing my best to keep the coverage on Walberg Watch as balanced as possible.

Renier's website (soon to be launched) is at http://www.renier4rep.com/.

Labels: 2008 Election, Fundraising, Sharon Renier