BATTLE CREEK, MI (WTVB) - Former U.S. Representative Joe Schwarz will not be running in the 7th Congressional District as a Democrat. A well-placed source tells MIRS the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) offered him just $20,000 for his campaign and some staff. Schwarz, always known as a moderate, was being hotly recruited to take on the incumbent Republican Tim Walberg, who defeated him in the 2006 GOP primary.

The DCCC had tried to get him to switch parties back in 2008, as well. Schwarz told MIRS he feels that as a political independent he can better serve his community as a non-office holding independent. Schwarz went on to say if anyone wonders if I think I would have won the race, the answer is 'yes'.

This leaves Democrats with few options and almost ensures that Walberg will win another term. The 74-year old Schwarz, a physician and University of Michigan lecturer, said he was part of a meeting today with the Michigan Adjutant General and state and Federal officials about the proposed cuts to the Battle Creek Air National Guard Base.