Kurt Heise Considering Run For U.S. Representative

PLYMOUTH TOWNSHIP, MI — The sudden retirement of U.S. Rep. Dave Trott has opened the door open for several local Republicans. Plymouth Township Supervisor Kurt Heise, elected just last year, is considering walking through that door, according to a Plymouth Observer report.

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

Trott, a Birmingham Republican, announced on Monday that he would not seek re-election. Trott will have served two full terms.

“It has been an extraordinary privilege to serve the people of Southeast Michigan in Congress,” Trott said in a statement. “Representing the 11th District has been an honor, but I have decided not to seek re-election in 2018.”

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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.

Thus far, two Democrats have joined the 11th District race: Haley Stevens, who worked in President Barack Obama’s administration, and Fayrouz Saad, Detroit's former director of immigration affairs, the Detroit News reported. As for the Republicans, a number of names are being bandied about.

Political pundits have mentioned Canton State Sen. Patrick Colbeck. But he has already launched a run for governor and told the Observer he is not considering Trott’s old seat.

State Rep. Laura Cox of Livonia has also been rumored. As for Heise, he plans to take his time on making a decision. He told the Observer he knows he would face some backlash for making a run so soon after winning the supervisor’s job in Plymouth Township, but thinks it might be worth it.

"The district knows my track record of getting things done and they know I'd be an effective representative for them," Heise told the Observer. "It would be an additional opportunity for higher service that would definitely benefit them."

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