Retiring Congresswoman Candice Miller’s surprise decision to run for a Macomb County office, shunning opportunities to become a candidate for governor or engage in a lobbying career, pits her against Public Works Commissioner Anthony Marrocco, a dominant figure in county politics who has been viewed as untouchable.
Here is an excerpt of a story I wrote about the race for Inside Michigan Politics:
Marrocco, 68, of Clinton Township, has remained reclusive in his many years as public works commissioner, but he is known as the godfather of Macomb County politics because of his hardball approach toward maintaining his 24-year reign at the public works office.
A wealthy developer before his entrance into politics in the 1980s as a county commissioner, Marrocco is famous in political circles for throwing elaborate fundraising parties for his quadrennial re-election campaigns.
Though he never faces a serious challenge at the ballot box, he maintains two political action committees that rake in large amounts of money, even by statewide standards. He has a reputation as a hard-nosed political powerbroker behind the scenes who is not shy about punishing his political enemies.
Marrocco
… It was widely assumed by Macomb County political observers that Marrocco would hold the office for as long as he chose.
But Miller’s challenge changes the game dramatically. As a widely popular Republican, who consistently runs above the GOP base for her 10th congressional district seat, Miller could dominate the GOP vote in November. In addition, she could easily play the role of a more environmentally conscious advocate than Marrocco.
