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Bentivolio Wins Special Primary Election to Fill McCotter's Seat

Milford Republican will face Democrat David Curson on Nov. 6 in race to fill remainder of Thaddeus McCotter's term.

Kerry Bentivolio is now 2-for-2 in primary elections for a seat representing Michigan's 11th Congressional District.

Bentivolio, of Milford, already the Republican nominee in the Nov. 6 race to hold the seat for a full two-year term, won a special primary election today in a race to fill the remainder for former Rep. Thaddeus McCotter's seat.

McCotter, a Livonia Republican, left his seat in July, citing a before his resignation, which included a that prevented McCotter's name from .

Bentivolio on Wednesday soundly defeated a field of four other Republican candidates, including his Aug. 7 primary rival Nancy Cassis of Novi. The race also included Steve King, Kenneth Crider and Carolyn Kavanagh. 

In Wayne County, Bentivolio carried 40.38 percent of the total vote with all precincts reporting, according to unofficial results provided by the county. Cassis garnered 31.53 percent.

In Oakland County, the race was closer. Bentivolio earned 43.79 percent of the total vote, while Cassis earned 43.49 percent with all precincts reporting, according to unofficial results provided by the county.

Bentivolio and Curson will face off on the Nov. 6 ballot to fill out the remainder of McCotter's term. The term will begin shortly after the Nov. 6 election and run through the end of 2012. Bentivolio also will appear on the same ballot, albeit in the newly redistricted 11th Congressional District, in a race against Canton Democrat Syed Taj for a full two-year term.

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Tim Bos September 6, 2012 at 03:52 am
It speaks volumes about how campaign management was perceived by OC voters when Bentivolio barely beat an opponent who for all intents and purposes suspended her campaign soon after the August Primary. The campaign had better wake up and smell the roses before they snatch defeat from the jaws of victory in a congressional district set up for a ready-made GOP victory. Mark Brewer and the Dems can now see the blood in the water and self-induced weakness of a listless campaign. The remarkable grass roots support for Bentivolio has done it's job, but it can only pull so much weight or counter complacency and lack of earned publicity that has become the hallmark of the campaign.
Tamara September 6, 2012 at 04:30 am
Congrats Kerry - do a GREAT job for us!
Tom September 6, 2012 at 05:48 am
Fantastic job fighting two primaries back-to-back and soundly winning both races. Yes, Nancy Cassis did OK in the areas of Oakland County that she represented in Lansing till she was term limited out. With the special primary on the edge of Labor Day weekend and the start of school, it is a wonder that anyone showed-up at the polling booth. Even when the Party elite worked against you, your main opponent siad nothing but slanderous lies and the press refused to publish any of your nine press releases, your young and spirited grassroots team persevered. Again, congratulations on a job well done.
patch September 6, 2012 at 10:37 am
If Kerry expects my vote in Nov, he better speak up. I have not heard 1 word from him or his campaign, besides the usual signs plastered all over the place like visual pollution.( deepest pockets rule the traffic corners)
Maybe there is something to the rumors and his unusual dismisal school record.I am getting a bad feeling about him, and am wondering if I should not have voted for him. Lets face it...Mccotter and GW ended up being pretty embarrassing,and I really dont want to help elect more embarrasment.
Laura Vogel September 6, 2012 at 12:48 pm
Having run for local office myself, I can assure you that it is not quite so easy to just completely abandon your day job and try to be everywhere and meet everyone, on top of raising and then spending the thousands (in the case of a national seat, hundreds of thousands) of dollars necessary to buy media time, signs, etc.
I urge you to take the time to meet ALL of the candidates -- both of the two Democrats running (one is running for the remaining unserved portion of the "old" 11th district seat, the other is running for the full term for the "new" 11th district seat) as well as Mr. Bentivolio (who is running for both the "old" 11th and the "new" 11th, yes it's very confusing...) Most of the candidates make themselves available at various local events, but it's not always mass-publicized and it is often best to visit their own campaign websites to see the "calendar" of events so that you can find one that is reasonably close and reasonably within your ability to arrange to be there. You will find that meeting someone first hand is lightyears beyond reading the often hateful and anonymous comments on sites such as this
Denise Nash September 6, 2012 at 04:29 pm
This is who are you championing with these posts. Just so you know before you go vote for this guy. Go Dr. Taj!
http://www.freep.com/article/20120822/NEWS15/308220116/While-a-teacher-11th-District-candidate-Bentivolio-s-behavior-was-a-problem-records-show
Tim Bos September 6, 2012 at 06:08 pm
One good turn deserves another, Denise.
Kerry Bentivolio has laid his life on the line for America for more than a quarter century. He's a Constitutionalist strongly opposed to the socialist Obamacare fiasco, unlike his opponent Dr Taj. But Taj isn't satisfied with Obamacare- he wishes we had universal healthcare just like the dismal and murderous system in England that Taj worked in. Having been born and raised in a different country, Taj doesn't have a clue as to our Founding Principles or the ideals of freedom, liberty, and the scourge of an unlimited govt like all of the places he's lived and worked in prior to coming here. It's no wonder that he doesn't understand the concept of limited govt, because he never learned what it is that makes America exceptional and above all others in the world. He's a Democrat and proponent of socialist policies- enough said.
Bryan Bentley September 7, 2012 at 05:30 pm
I have heard that it cost Plymouth Township $30,000 to hold this special election. If that is true, it cost $9.93 per vote cast. Thank You Thad...
john clark September 8, 2012 at 03:10 pm
This guy is a flake. I appreciate and respect his military service, but he is a conspiracy loon. The only reason he will get my vote is because of the lesser of two evils he comes out on top and the craziest conservative will always trump any liberal. It's a shame Nancy Cassis didn't win.
Herb Helzer September 17, 2012 at 08:15 pm
What "day job" is that, Laura? Kerry Bentivolio's teaching career ended in June, and he won't be needed as a haiday parade St. Nicholas until Thanksgiving -- three weeks AFTER the election. [in point of fact, Bentivolio and the two Democrats -- David Curson for the Present term, Dr. Syed Taj for the Future (2013-) -- are all either retired or semi-retired, and thus able to devote the necessary time for this election).
I know for certain that Curson is making personal appearances throughout the "old" 11th, reminding everyone that this "lame duck" session will be critical (even more so now that Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) has recessed the House until after the election, leaving the farm bill, budget resolutions and doing something about the "sequestration" budget cuts for the "lame ducks" to deal with). I also know how very busy Dr. Taj has been, with volunteers knocking doors and making calls every day throughout the "new" 11th. Aside from the joint appearance with Dr. Taj at a senior center at the end of August, and a very short speech at the state GOP convention, I have no idea what Mr. Bentivolio is up to. Since his campaign web site was redesigned, there's no longer a calendar of upcoming appearances. He hasn't agreed to any debates that I'm aware of. Leaving voters with tidbits: Various Tea Parties support him; the establishment GOP ran hard to beat him, and most of his funding comes from a SuperPAC run by a college student in Texas. We need more, Kerry!
Herb Helzer September 17, 2012 at 08:28 pm
Dr. Taj has been a citizen of the United States for 30 years, Tim. Unlike you, me or Kerry Bentivolio (all lucky enough to be born here), Dr. Taj CHOSE to come to this country BECAUSE of our Founding Principles and our ideals of freedom and liberty.
Having been born and raised in a different country, he APPRECIATES everything that America has to offer -- perhaps even more so because he has seen some of the alternatives. One of the reasons America is exceptional is BECAUSE it attracts intelligent, hardworking, diligent and ethical professionals like Dr. Syed Taj -- who work hard to become citizens so they can give back to the nation that's given them so much.
Herb Helzer September 17, 2012 at 08:42 pm
Why exactly is the "craziest conservative" -- the man you call a "flake" -- a lesser evil than a medical doctor who has said in no uncertain terms that he can and will work across the aisle to best serve the people of the 11th District and the State of Michigan?
The Hippocratic Oath includes the famous phrase, "first, do no harm." Dr. Syed Taj has no interest in the grandstanding and political posturing that made the current Congress among the least effective and most despised in history. We have no such assurances from Kerry Bentivolio -- in fact, what public statements he has made indicate the opposite. He will side with the obstructionist Tea Party faction if elected, blocking needed legislation because he's convinced the system is corrupt, and has indicted he will not cooperate or compromise with House Democrats or the Obama Administration (should the President be reelected). We have real needs and real problems -- what we don't need is a Congressmen who will explicitly vote "No" simply to keep a 100% rating with some fringe Tea Party group's "report card." That's why the "non-crazy" voters out there should line up behind Dr. Syed Taj. Come 2014, vote him out if you need to -- but THIS TIME, vote for calm, competent professionalism over intransigence and intolerance.
Note Article
Just a short thought to get the word out quickly about anything in your neighborhood.
Share something with your neighbors. Write a new post... What's up? Make an announcement, speak your mind, or sell something
Nan Cooper June 13, 2013 at 10:08 am
books for sale? Where and when?
Bruce June 14, 2013 at 07:21 am
Informal garage sale