George Weeks: Benishek gets boost from Inman

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George Weeks

January 15, 2012

By GEORGE WEEKS Syndicated Columnist The Record Eagle Tue Jan 31, 2012, 11:18 AM EST

In his quest for a second term, 1st District freshman Rep. Dan Benishek, R-Crystal Falls, got a significant boost last week from a prominent below-the-bridge Republican who had pondered a primary challenge against Benishek.

As noted here previously, Chairman Larry Inman, of the Grand Traverse Board of Commissioners, an appointee to various state and national boards, said he was being encouraged to challenge Benishek by "some elected officials, community leaders and friends" unhappy with Benishek.

But after checking with others in the district -- particularly county chairs in the Upper Peninsula and others beyond the Grand Traverse region that is being added to the redrawn district -- he found that anti-Benishek feelings among Republicans were not widespread and announced Jan. 11 he would not be a candidate.

Inman said, "The primary reason I'm not running for Congress is based on the thoughts and comments I have received from constituents in the new 1st Congressional District in support of Congressman Benishek ... I welcome the opportunity to talk to Congressman Benishek and personally give him my endorsement.

"... The secondary reason is personal."

Following deaths over the past two years of his mother, sister, brother and father, Inman has been involved in dealing with their estates.

Quickly after his announcement, Inman, who contributed $100 to Benishek's 2010 campaign, received a call from him.

"We had a very pleasant conversation," Inman told me Saturday. No surprise there. A well-credentialed and well-known Republican from a populous addition to the district could have been a troublesome primary opponent for Benishek.

To some, the rapid-fire happening may come across as a setup to tout Benishek and further Inman's local electoral efforts. I don't see it that way.

Inman said that Benishek, who visited Traverse City last week, recognizes the need to spend more time in northwest Michigan. He said Benishek has very strong support among Republicans in the Upper Peninsula, and Republicans have "no major concerns ... They want him to spend more time in the district, and that's what he's doing."

While Benishek won't face a primary challenge from Inman, he has three announced Democratic challengers:

• Ex-state Rep. Gary McDowell, of Rudyard, who lost to Benishek in 2010, has a well-organized campaign for a rematch this year.

• Chairman Derek Bailey, of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, likely will have substantial tribal financial support from Michigan and beyond.

• Bob Carr, of Traverse City and Mackinac Island, switched parties after being the 1996 Republican nominee against U.S. Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Menominee, and last week launched an electbobcarr.com website.

Why devote so much space here to a local official who only briefly considered a primary challenge against Benishek and now is focused on his own county commission reelection and a possible bid for the 104th state House seat when Rep. Wayne Schmidt, R-Traverse City, is term limited?

One reason is that the candid Inman, savvy as he is on grassroots politics, has a solid perspective on the district and a word of warning to fellow Republicans: Watch out for Derek Bailey, the tribal leader who has good relations with Republicans and Democrats among business and community leaders.

"He is well-liked by both sides -- a likable guy and well-received," Inman said in our Saturday phone chat.