Rivals become allies for U.S. House hopeful (Dems find opponent for McCotter in 11th - Michigan)

Detroit News ^ | Apr 28 | Pete Waldmeir

[Dan from Michigan]

Wayne County's two top elected officials and rumored bitter enemies, Sheriff Bob Ficano and Executive Ed McNamara, came eyeball to eyeball in a neutral arena Friday morning and neither blinked. Instead, they winked, shook hands and promised to work to get fellow Democrat Kevin Kelley elected to Congress.

[Dan from Michigan]

This district went about 51% for Bush. It's a mixed bag of White Collar GOP'ers in Novi, blue collar social conservatives in Livonia, blue dogs, and yellow dog dems.

My money is still on McCotter, but never ever underestimate the names Kelly, or Kelley, in Michigan.

[Dan from Michigan]

The latest from this open seat.

[Dan from Michigan]

From the Free Press

Kelley says he'll run for seat in new district

Democrat to take on favored state senator
April 27, 2002

BY DENNIS NIEMIEC
FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER

With two powerful Wayne County Democrats, County Executive Ed McNamara and Sheriff Robert Ficano, at his side Friday, Redford Township Supervisor Kevin Kelley announced he will run for Congress in a new district that encompasses more than 20 communities in Wayne and Oakland counties.

State Sen. Thaddeus McCotter, R-Livonia, is considered the front-runner in a Republican-friendly district created by state lawmakers. The reapportioned congressional and legislative boundaries in Michigan will face a challenge from Democrats in federal court next month.

McCotter, whose Senate district is within the boundaries of the new congressional area, announced his candidacy for the 2-year congressional term in February. The filing deadline is in June.

Based on voting trends in the past decade, the new district is about 54-percent Republican, said political analyst Bill Ballenger.

It stretches throughout southwestern Oakland County and northwestern Wayne County, including Livonia, Canton Township, Westland, Commerce Township, Walled Lake and Novi.

For a Democrat to win would require "a strong candidate and the help from the head of the ticket," said Ballenger, publisher of the political newsletter Inside Michigan Politics.

Kelley, the Redford Township supervisor since 1996, said having the support of McNamara and Ficano will help in fund-raising and credibility for his candidacy. McNamara will be the campaign chairman.

Kelley, 43, has endorsed state Attorney General Jennifer Granholm for governor.

[Torie]

Thanks. I suspect that the inherent GOP strength is a couple of points higher than the Bush numbers in Michigan, so that gives the district about a 4% GOP tilt. Obviously, that is close enough for the district to be in play, if the Dem is competent and well financed. And than that Rothenberg article still sticks in my mind. Does the apparent arrogance of McCotter manifest itself to others?

[Dan from Michigan]

I still haven't heard a bad thing about him except from David Jaye, who doesn't count.