The 11th Congressional District race certainly
got much more interesting this morning when it was revealed that a former
counterrorism expert who worked for the CIA and State Department will be
running as a Democrat.
got much more interesting this morning when it was revealed that a former
counterrorism expert who worked for the CIA and State Department will be
running as a Democrat.
In her first big scoop as the new editor of Inside
Michigan Politics, Susan Demas reported that Bobby McKenzie of Canton Township is
getting into the race for the Oakland/Wayne district, no matter who else runs.
The incumbent is the accidental congressman and former reindeer rancher,
Republican Kerry Bentivolio of Milford, whose re-election chances look shaky. His
GOP opposition comes from hot shot Trott – David Trott, the rich attorney whose
specialty is foreclosing on homeowners.
Michigan Politics, Susan Demas reported that Bobby McKenzie of Canton Township is
getting into the race for the Oakland/Wayne district, no matter who else runs.
The incumbent is the accidental congressman and former reindeer rancher,
Republican Kerry Bentivolio of Milford, whose re-election chances look shaky. His
GOP opposition comes from hot shot Trott – David Trott, the rich attorney whose
specialty is foreclosing on homeowners.
McKenzie’s main Democratic competition, potentially, is highly
regarded Wayne State Law School Dean Jocelyn Benson, who lost the 2010
secretary of state race to Ruth Johnson.
regarded Wayne State Law School Dean Jocelyn Benson, who lost the 2010
secretary of state race to Ruth Johnson.
Some Republicans believe the Democratic contest is
nothing more than a sideshow because the district is too heavily Republican for
the GOP to lose.
nothing more than a sideshow because the district is too heavily Republican for
the GOP to lose.
In any event, here’s the part of Demas’ story that I
enjoyed the most:
enjoyed the most:
“A Dearborn Heights
native, McKenzie attended Michigan State University, where he was a walk-on (for)
the basketball team in 1997 and 1998. But McKenzie notes his ‘entire
playing time was 9.6 seconds’ and adds that people’s interest in his
athletic history stems from the fact that ‘I’m 5 foot, 11 — a
pretty normal-looking guy.’
native, McKenzie attended Michigan State University, where he was a walk-on (for)
the basketball team in 1997 and 1998. But McKenzie notes his ‘entire
playing time was 9.6 seconds’ and adds that people’s interest in his
athletic history stems from the fact that ‘I’m 5 foot, 11 — a
pretty normal-looking guy.’
“‘If I go out and play,
the legend will die immediately,’ he said with a laugh.
the legend will die immediately,’ he said with a laugh.
“… He said he felt
“an obligation to get involved” in politics back home. McKenzie told IMP that
the MI-11 needs a member of Congress who “cooperates and collaborates
across the aisle.” He noted his experience “working on very
complicated problems” in foreign affairs and said he can offer
“practical solutions.”
“an obligation to get involved” in politics back home. McKenzie told IMP that
the MI-11 needs a member of Congress who “cooperates and collaborates
across the aisle.” He noted his experience “working on very
complicated problems” in foreign affairs and said he can offer
“practical solutions.”
“… McKenzie said he’d take
“almost a No Labels approach” to win in the GOP-favored district,
referring to the centrist, bipartisan Washington group. But he wasn’t afraid to
take some shots at his GOP opponents.
“almost a No Labels approach” to win in the GOP-favored district,
referring to the centrist, bipartisan Washington group. But he wasn’t afraid to
take some shots at his GOP opponents.
“‘I have a background (that)
contrasts nicely with a divisive Tea Party ideologue and a bankruptcy lawyer
who’s made a lot of money off the misery of people in this district,’ McKenzie
said.”
contrasts nicely with a divisive Tea Party ideologue and a bankruptcy lawyer
who’s made a lot of money off the misery of people in this district,’ McKenzie
said.”
