Rep. Dave Trott is now the third Republican incumbent in the last week to vacate a potential battleground district ahead of the 2018 midterm elections. | Carlos Osorio/AP Photo Michigan Rep. Dave Trott won't run for reelection

Michigan Rep. Dave Trott said Monday that he would not seek reelection, making him the third Republican incumbent in the last week to vacate a potential battleground district ahead of the 2018 midterm elections.

"Representing the Eleventh District has been an honor, but I have decided not to seek reelection in 2018," Trott said in a statement. "This was not an easy decision, but after careful consideration, I have decided that the best course for me is to spend more time with my family and return to the private sector."


Trott's decision — along with retirements by Pennsylvania Rep. Charlie Dent and Washington Rep. Dave Reichert last week — opens another competitive House seat, as the House GOP tries to hold on to its 24-seat majority. President Donald Trump carried Trott's seat in suburban Detroit by just under 5 points in 2016.

Before Trott's announcement, Democrats were already eyeing his seat. Democrat Haley Stevens, a digital manufacturing executive who served as chief of staff to then-President Barack Obama’s Auto Task Force, decided to challenge Trott in April.

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Republicans in the state said they expect a bloody primary to replace Trott. "It would be very difficult for someone to clear the field because of the various factions here,” said Dennis Lennox, a Republican consultant in Michigan. “But if there is an A-list candidate in the race, we should know by next week.”

Republicans floated several potential candidates, including state Rep. Klint Kesto, state Rep. Laura Cox and Mike Bouchard, who ran for Senate in 2006.

The GOP is bullish about their chances to keep the seat in their column. “The NRCC is looking forward to keeping his seat red in 2018,” NRCC Chairman Steve Stivers said in a statement. “We will not let [Trott’s] hard work go to waste, and are confident this seat will remain under Republican control.”

But Democrats plan to fight hard for the seat, which was briefly represented by Democrat David Curson at the end of 2012 after he won an unusual, late special election to fill the remainder of former Rep. Thad McCotter's term.

“Congressman Trott’s retirement opens up a competitive seat that is trending toward Democrats and we’re confident that a strong candidate will be ready [to] represent the people of Southeast Michigan in Congress in 2018,” said DCCC spokeswoman Rachel Irwin.

