Ex-GOP Congressman Schwarz May Seek Governor's Post as Independent
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Former Congressman John H. "Joe" Schwarz, mulling Independent run for governor.
A 72-year-old former Republican congressman and onetime CIA agent is considering a run for Michigan governor as an independent.
John H. "Joe" Schwarz of Battle Creek thinks an independent voice is needed at the state capitol.
Schwarz says an independent governor is needed to bridge the partisanship dividing Republicans and Democrats in Lansing.
He has commented to the news media: "We're standing, looking over the precipice into the abyss in Michigan,and if we don't do something, and if we don't have people who can sit down and reason with each other and then make what are going to be some very difficult decisions, we're going to have problems as far as the eye can see."
Schwarz was defeated in the 2006 Republican primary by Tim Walberg, a pastor who attacked him for his moderate views, despite his support by both President George W. Bush and Sen. John McCain, Arizona Republican.
A physician, Schwarz is an advocate of reforming medical malpractice laws on the basis that they lead to numerous lawsuits and deter doctors from their practices. He has practiced medicine in Battle Creek since 1974 except for a five-year stint in Lansing as a state senator, 1987-2002, and a term in Congress 2004-2006.
He was targeted by radical right wing Republican groups because of his moderate record, according to his statements.
The potential candidate has an interesting and varied background: graduate in History from the University of Michigan, where he played on the football team, graduate of Wayne State University Medical School and residency in otolaryngology at Harvard Medical School.
In the U.S. Navy during the Viet Nam Conflict, he was a combat surgeon for a Marine battalion. He was with the CIA at the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia, 1968-70.
Schwarz also was a city commissioner in Battle Creek, 1979-1985, mayor of Battle Creek 1985-1987, and state senator 1993-2002.
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