Sorry we haven't done one of these in a while, but there's a lot of news to share. Here's your Thursday morning update from the campaign trail:

• AP: Schwarz endorses Democrat in race. "Schwarz told The Associated Press in an interview that he decided to endorse Schauer over Republican Rep. Tim Walberg in the south-central Michigan congressional district because the anti-tax Club for Growth began running ads critical of Schauer's positions on taxes." [...] "That to me is the straw that broke the camel's back," Schwarz said. "I object to political dabblers who stand for nothing other than to create havoc and dabble in a congressional race where they truly have no interest."
• Battle Creek Enquirer: Schwarz endorses Schauer; Walberg. "Walberg said he was disappointed to hear Schwarz, a fellow Republican, would support Schauer." [...] “'I didn’t expect his endorsement because of the last race, but I’m really surprised,' Walberg said."
• The Hill's Blog Briefing Room: Former Rep. Schwarz Backs Schauer Against Onetime Foe. "Schwarz cited attacks on Schauer by the conservative Club for Growth as his motivation for endorsing the Democrat in the highly-competitive race. Schwarz, who was first elected after topping a large field in 2004's Republican primary, was targeted by Walberg and the Club for Growth during his 2006 reelection."
• Politico: Republican endorses Walberg's Dem challenger. "Former moderate GOP congressman Joe Schwarz is no fan of Rep. Tim Walberg (R-Mich.), who ousted him from office in a 2006 Republican primary. And now he's getting his revenge."
• DailyKos: MI-07: Former Rep. Schwarz (R) Endorses Schauer. "In 2006, MI-07 Republican Rep. Joe Schwarz was primaried out by Club for Growth-supported wingnut Tim Walberg. Walberg now faces a stiff challenge from Mark Schauer, and Schwarz is getting his revenge."
• Swing State Project: MI-07: Bombshell - GOP Ex-Rep. Schwarz Endorses Schauer. "Game-changer. Schwarz, a relatively moderate Republican, was defeated in the GOP primary in 2006 after the Club For Growth flooded the district with over $1 million in negative advertising. Earlier in the day, the Club announced that they'd be once again injecting themselves into this district by spending $175,000 on new attack ads against Democrat Mark Schauer."
• MyDD: Former GOP Rep Schwartz Endorses Would-Be Dem Successor. "Suffice it to say, then, that in a tight race, which this has always been destined to be since Schauer jumped in, the Schwartz endorsement could make a real difference in swinging independents and moderate Republicans to the Democratic cause. In other words, this is a big deal."
• Talking Points Memo: Former GOP Rep. Endorses Dem Candidate. "Former Rep. Joe Schwarz (R-MI), a moderate who lost re-election in his 2006 Republican primary to right-winger Tim Walberg, is now endorsing Democratic nominee Mark Schauer in the race this year against the freshman Rep. Walberg."
• Capitol Journal: Gamechanging endorsement: Schwarz backs Schauer. "It's a move that could potentially tip the scales in the knife-edged 7th Congressional District race."
• CQ Politics: Races for Michigan GOP Reps. Walberg, Knollenberg Now Rated Tossups. "Schwarz told CQ Politics the endorsement was not part of a 'quid pro quo' in retaliation for the Club for Growth’s involvement in his own primary loss in 2006, nor was it a personal attack on Walberg. 'I have no personal animus toward Congressman Walberg. To me this is an issue of principle. Club for Growth does not belong in this congressional race, and the way that they come into congressional races and the things that they do and say distort a race,' Schwarz said."
• LSJ: Union chief, Schauer talk jobs. "Jobs and the economy were on the minds of union workers Tuesday when they gathered to talk with AFL-CIO labor federation leader John Sweeney and congressional candidate Mark Schauer."
• AP: Walberg, Schauer clash at business breakfast. "It was dubbed a breakfast briefing. But a joint appearance outside Lansing Wednesday featuring Republican Rep. Tim Walberg and Democratic challenger Mark Schauer turned into a feisty debate."
• Jackson Citizen Patriot: Access center helps students shop for college. Schauer congratulated the Jackson County Community Foundation for starting the Legacy program, saying it was bold and is changing the culture of Jackson County. 'Education is the key to being successful,' he said to the crowd. 'We're working hard to support our schools.'"
• Battle Creek Enquirer: Mark Schaur: Focused on Michigan. "Where Tim Walberg and I depart is he supports drilling in the Great Lakes. I think that's a terrible idea," he said. "To me, as a member of Congress, I will support policies that provide for an Apollo kind of investment in clean and renewable energy technology in Michigan. We need real national leadership instead of more of the same."