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Gov. Rick Snyder called a special election after the Livonia congressman abruptly resigned, saying it was constitutionally required.
His administration now says it will cancel the $650,000 undertaking in suburban Detroit's 11th District if only one person -- or none -- decides to run.
Candidates have until July 20 to qualify for the ballot by collecting 1,000 valid signatures.
Republican Nancy Cassis of Novi said Friday on public television's "Off the Record" that she may withdraw to avoid a special election, if she's one of only two candidates. Kerry Bentivolio of Milford also plans to run on the GOP ticket.
But .. but .. but, Constitution? Sure thing, Ricky GovernDRIC. And, all I needed to see: Nancy Classless is still .. Classless. Yannow, the MI-GOP really is more fugged up than Hogan's Goat. Keep up the good work, Baghdad Bobby Schostak.
Lt. Gov. Brian Calley on Tuesday called for a special election to fill the seat of U.S. Rep. Thaddeus McCotter, who resigned suddenly on Friday.
The special primary will be Sept. 5, with a special election to fill the remainder of McCotter's term held in conjunction with the Nov. 6 general election.
....
A special election would come with new costs for the Wayne and Oakland County municipalities in the district.
According to the governor's office, state election officials estimate it'll cost local government $650,000 for a special election.
Oakland County estimates their costs alone would be in the six figures to print new ballots and for election supplies. Locals would be on the hook for paying for election inspectors, overtime, postage to mail out absentee ballots and applications and paying for elections publication costs.
Confounding the problem is the special election would apply to constituents in the current 11th District Congressional seat, though the voter databases and voter registrations have been adjusted to reflect the new redistricting boundaries in place for the upcoming Aug. 7 primary elections.
Ultimate Racebaiter: Dem Congressman (Who Supports Occupy Grp) Lies About Being 1/2 Black to Get Votes
My favorite political story of the last week is that of Democrat U.S. Congressman Hansen Clarke of Detroit. He's running to be my Congressman and-needless to say-won't be getting my vote. He advocates the most wacky ideas and is an Occupy supporter and sympathizer. Far-left is a compliment for him. He's off the deep end. Throughout his political career as a state legislator and now as a Congressman, he's always maintained that he's half-Black. His father, a Bangladeshi Muslim alien, was obviously Asian. But there is now a lot of doubt regarding whether or not he's really half-Black. His mother's death certificate was dug up by one of Clarke's many opponents, and per years of rumors, it lists her as White.
In a statement released late Friday, McCotter said "after nearly 26 years in elected office, this past nightmarish month and a half have, for the first time, severed the necessary harmony between the needs of my constituency and of my family. As this harmony is required to serve, its absence requires I leave.
"The recent event's totality of calumnies, indignities and deceits have weighed most heavily upon my family. Thus, acutely aware one cannot rebuild their hearth of home amongst the ruins of their U.S. House office, for the sake of my loved ones I must 'strike another match, go start anew' by embracing the promotion back from public servant to sovereign citizen."
He added: "I do not leave for an existing job and face diminishing prospects (and am both unwilling and ill-suited to lobby), my priorities are twofold: find gainful employment to help provide for my family; and continue to assist, in any way they see fit, the Michigan Attorney General's earnest and thorough investigation, which I requested, into the 2012 petition filing."
The Aug. 7 primary election for the 11th District had Kerry Bentivolio, a former teacher, veteran and Milford reindeer farmer, as the only Republican on the ballot. Former state Sen. Nancy Cassis, R-Novi, launched a write-in campaign with the blessing of the party establishment in Oakland and Wayne counties, which the 11th District encompasses. Neither was immediately available for comment.
Under Michigan law, Gov. Rick Snyder will have to call a special election to fill McCotter's 11th District seat for the remainder of the year.
It was unclear late Friday how soon a special election can be held with the August primary less than five weeks away.
Thank God this toilet squatter wasn't around 236 years ago when the 56 signers were telling George III to go take a flying one, or we would still be ruled under England's king.
City Council President Charles Pugh is facing foreclosure and says he likely will abandon his $385,000 Brush Park condominium.
His personal financial struggles come as he and council colleagues fight to bail Detroit out of its own fiscal crisis.
On Friday, Pugh said he can't afford to pay his mortgage after taking a pay cut and leaving a high-paying TV career to run for the City Council.
"Making my mortgage payments has been a struggle for me," Pugh wrote in an email. "I fought hard to stay in my condo because I had an attachment to it, but I can no longer afford to do so."
The mortgage issue is the latest financial problem facing Pugh, 40, a former Fox 2 television anchor and radio show host who was the top vote-getter in the 2009 election. He is paid $76,500 as council president.
"I am devoted to this city and helping us to move forward despite wage cuts and personal sacrifices such as foreclosing on my own home," Pugh said. "These are the tough choices Detroiters make every day, and I am no different."
Pugh is still living in the condo and would like to keep it, but he needs a "substantial decrease" in the mortgage, spokeswoman Kirsten Ussery said.
Um, no dummy. Charles, you greedily chose to place yourself into a position that you knew you could not afford. Then again, finances never have been a priority for Charles, have they?
