Inman to consider challenging Benishek

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January 2, 2012

BY BRIAN McGILLIVARY bmcgillivary@record-eagle.com The Record Eagle Wed Feb 01, 2012, 11:38 AM EST

TRAVERSE CITY — Republican Larry Inman, who chairs the Grand Traverse County Board of Commissioners, will consider challenging U.S. Rep. Dan Benishek, R-Crystal Falls, for the redrawn 1st Congressional District.

Inman said he’s been encouraged to run by major donors, prominent Republicans and elected officials who are disappointed in Benishek. Inman said his would-be backers accuse Benishek of not spending enough time in the sprawling district that includes the Upper Peninsula and the Lower Peninsula north of Roscommon.

“They are sick of Benishek,” Inman said. “They said he’s arrogant, doesn’t spend any time in the district, isn’t accessible ... and they’re worried if he’s the Republican nominee we’ll lose the seat in November.”

Inman is a retired banker who has spent 19 years on the county board and six years as a Northern Michigan University trustee. He said he was surprised by reaction to his potential candidacy and some locals’ negative reaction to Benishek.

“I initially said ‘no, are you crazy,’” Inman said. “I’ve not said yes either, but I’m certainly looking into it seriously.”

Inman spoke with about 50 people in the 1st District who responded in positive fashion. He then recruited a dozen people to measure districtwide enthusiasm for an Inman candidacy as he investigates his ability to raise about $1 million in cash needed to win the seat.

He expects to learn results of those feelers this week and said he’ll likely make a decision by Jan. 12.

Benishek could not be reached for comment. His campaign office did not immediately return messages.

Grand Traverse, Leelanau, Benzie and Kalkaska counties have a strong Republican base and will rejoin the 1st District for the 2012 election. Some local Republicans are disappointed Benishek hasn’t contacted them.

“We’ve got to be 20 percent of the district’s voting bloc in Grand Traverse, Benzie, and Leelanau counties and he hasn’t been here,” said Molly Agostinelli, a Republican activist and Garfield Township trustee. “A few people have mentioned it would be a good idea to send somebody up against him. Some people, not me.”

Traverse City will be the largest metropolitan area in the new district and its not surprising some of its residents don’t want a western Upper Peninsula politician to represent them, said Bill Ballenger, editor of the political newsletter Inside Michigan Politics.

“If they feel they are not being shown the love by the incumbent congressman ... that could be further motivation,” Ballenger said.

But beating an incumbent in a primary rarely occurs, Ballenger said.

“It’s almost impossible,” he said. “You would need a crackerjack candidate with a huge amount of money.

“If there’s a perfect storm and all the stars are aligned, it’s conceivable,” Ballenger said. “But history tells us, common sense tells us, the odds are very long.”