Another Rooney into fray

Timothy McNulty | July 30, 2009

Yesterday we talked about Dan Rooney convincing the Irish to take Gitmo prisoners. Today there's more news on the Rooney political front from Politico:

Pittsburgh Steelers owner Dan Rooney parlayed his support for President Obama into an Ambassadorship to Ireland. His nephew, Tom Rooney, won election to the House from South Florida last year.

And now another Rooney is looking to get into politics. Roll Call's Shira Toeplitz reports that attorney Brian Rooney - Tom's brother - is exploring his own candidacy as a Republican against Rep. Mark Schauer (D-Mich.). And he could self-finance a campaign (though Rep. Rooney spent only $70,000 of his own money on his race.)

Rooney would be facing the prospect of a tough primary if he ran. Former GOP congressman Tim Walberg, who lost to Schauer last year, has already announced his candidacy.

President Obama carried the Battle Creek-based district with 52 percent of the vote, though it has traditionally supported Republicans for federal office.