With a month to go before the August Republican primary, the battle for the 50th House District in Livingston County has seen its fair share of drama.
The National Federation of Independent Business-Michigan PAC endorsed all but a few House Republican incumbents for reelection this year. It did not endorse in open seats, nor did it endorse in districts without a Republican incumbent where there is a primary. The only Republicans omitted from the group's endorsement list were Rep. James DeSana of Carleton, Rep. Bob Bezotte Jr. of Howell, Rep. Matt Maddock of Milford, Rep. Josh Schriver of Oxford and Rep. Neil Friske of Charlevoix. The group labeled the batch of endorsements a first round.
The Michigan Retailers Association announced its primary endorsements last week, choosing Republican candidates in competitive House seats Downriver while backing multiple candidates in competitive open-seat primaries and general election matchups.
The Michigan Chamber of Commerce issued endorsements Thursday in 64 of the 110 Michigan House seats, continuing its recent trend of endorsing more Democrats than in the past while still largely backing Republicans overall.
Rep. Bob Bezotte Jr. (R-Howell) has been put back on the Republican primary ballot for the 50th House District, the Livingston County clerk's office confirmed Wednesday afternoon.
The House Local Government and Municipal Finance Committee heard testimony on bills that would rework the drain maintenance and improvement system and increase compensation for local drainage boards.
The Michigan Freedom Network, one of the most influential forces in legislative Republican primaries, issued endorsements Friday for more than 50 state House races.
Financial disclosures for non-incumbent candidates of the House were due for the first time on Wednesday with many candidates filing basic-level financial information as required under the law.
A year after beginning work on the legislation, the House Military, Veterans and Homeland Security Committee heard testimony on bills targeting veteran mental health through a centralized office in state government.
Rep. Bob Bezotte (R-Howell) plans to go to court to challenge his disqualification from running for reelection, he said in a statement Monday.