Controversial tea party Rep. Kerry Bentivolio will likely have a tough 2014 reelection bid as top Republican donors and big-name Democrats seem committed to unseating the first-term Congressman from Milford.
Some of the state's biggest political spenders are already lining up to support foreclosure attorney and Republican challenger David Trott.
Detroit Free Press: Trott reported to the Federal Election Commission that he raised $648,519 by Sept. 30, including contributions from several well-known Michiganders: billionaire Dick DeVos, Mike and Marian Ilitch and builder Bill Pulte among them.
Trott contributed more than $105,000 in in-kind services — including research, consulting and legal fees — as well as putting $102,600 of his own money into the campaign, according to FEC records.
Meanwhile Wayne State Law School dean and former Secretary of State candidate Jocelyn Benson (D) may also seek Bentivolio's seat, likely with the support of national Democratic leaders and liberal fundraising operations like EMILY'S List.
Detroit Free Press: A Democratic source told the Free Press that Benson is looking at entering the race after she met Wednesday with various party bigwigs in Washington, including House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer and addressed a House Democratic caucus meeting.
As daffy as Bentivolio may seem -- his own brother said he is "mentally unbalanced," he participated in a 9/11 conspiracy film, once promised to make students in his class cry, and has said impeaching President Obama would be a "dream come true" -- let's also note that he is less than halfway through his term and already pretty much every important person in Michigan is sparing no expense to boot him from office.
Is it any wonder the nation has seemingly become ungovernable when the perpetual campaign cycle has this many important people putting this much time, money, and effort into an election that is 13 months away?
If a given candidate can't beat a fringe fluke like Bentivolio with a couple months of grassroots campaigning, they can't be much of an improvement.
