Taxpayers might be able dodge the $650,000 cost of a special primary to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of Congressman Thad McCotter. But only if the election is cancelled due to a lack of candidates.
State elections officials say they could cancel the primary – and save on the cost – if only one candidate – or no candidates at all – file for either race. It does not look like there will be a Democratic primary. But two Republicans – former state Senator Nancy Cassis and Tea Party supporter Kerry Bentivolio – both say they’re circulating petitions to get on the ballot to serve the last few weeks of McCotter’s term in Congress.
Both candidates are also running for the new term that will begin in January. Bentivolio is already on the ballot. Cassis launched a write-in bid for the Republican nomination when McCotter filed hundreds of fake petition signatures.
State officials considered not holding an election because McCotter’s term is close to finished. But they say state election law, the U.S. Constitution, and a federal court decision left no choice.