WASHINGTON, D.C. -- West Michigan Congressman Bill Huizenga says he is glad to see that President Trump and Governor Whitmer are collaborating to bring a new fighter jet squadron to Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Macomb County.
Trump and Whitmer met at the air base Tuesday to make the announcement. They hugged each other on the tarmac after the President deboarded from Air Force One.
"To have both a tanker wing and now a fighter wing that's there with the (F-15 EX II) Eagle 2's, that significant," the Fourth District Republican said on West Michigan's Morning News.
The new fighter mission will replace the aging A-10 Thunderbolt squadron at Selfridge. Twenty-one fighter jets are scheduled to arrive at the air base in 2028. There had been concern among some lawmakers and Macomb County officials that there might not be a replacement mission once the A-10s are phased out. Huizenga told WOOD Radio that will help not only with national defense, but with employment in the area.
"And it's not just military jobs, it's civilian jobs that surround that. The families that come into the area and into Macomb County," he said.
Whitmer's office has estimated the Selfridge air base has an $850 million economic impact on Michigan.
President Trump credited Governor Whitmer for bringing attention to the need to provide additional funding to upgrade Selfridge. Huizenga said it is good to see the bipartisan cooperation culminate in getting an important initiative done.
"It truly is when you can set aside some very different philosophical differences. You have to realize, these other folks have been elected, too," Huizenga said.
On a side note, the lakeshore Congressman acknowledged he has been approached about potentially running for a U.S. Senate seat next year, when incumbent Democrat Gary Peters retires.
"I anticipate we'll have a decision here in a little while but there's one big unknown, which is, where is the President going to be in a Republican primary that is kind of key," he said.
###