Dr. Dan Benishek will be representing part of Bay County in Congress. Bay County and Northern Folks: Get Used to the Name "Congressman Benishek"
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A Tea Party political newcomer endorsed by both Sarah Palin and Joe the Plumber swept through Northern Michigan like a storm in Tuesday's general election.
Dr. Dan Benishek, 58, a Republican from Crystal Falls in the Upper Peninsula, succeeds veteran Democrat Bart Stupak in Michigan's 1st District which covers all of the Upper Peninsula and parts of the northern Lower Peninsula down to northern Bay County.
The GOP now has a 9-6 majority over the Democrats in the Michigan Congressional Delegation.
Benishek did not campaign heavily in Bay County, but he did rally in Pinconning with Samuel J. Wurzelbacher, aka "Joe the Plumber," who won brief fame by confronting a campaigning Barack Obama.
Here's a posting on the RedState website by Dr. Benishek that set the stage for the election campaign:
"After having started this campaign in January against Mr. Stupak we have had an unbelievably wild ride through a tumultuous period in our American history.
"I am so proud of the people that I have met along the way who want to restore our country to the greatness we all know it can still have. "I sincerely believe this is the most important election of my lifetime and thank you all again for the commitment to take our country back to the ideals of our founders. "I humbly hope to be able to represent my district in the 112th Congress with these ideals foremost in my mind. My very best and kind regards. - Dan Benishek."
Benishek's election marks a dramatic shift in the thinking of northern Michigan voters from longtime backing of the moderate to conservative Democrat Stupak to a new wave Tea Party right wing radical, Benishek.
Democrat Gary McDowell, 58-year-old Rudyard farmer and longtime UPS driver, went down with a crash under falling tea cups.
The final count was Benishek 120,077 (52 percent), McDowell 94,805 (41 percent).
Rep. Stupak announced in April that he would not seek a 10th term in Washington, setting off a mad scramble for his seat. Dr. Benishek defeated State Senator Jason Allen of Traverse City in the primary.
Meanwhile, a very familiar name, 81-year-old Dale Kildee, survived a strong challenge from John Kupiec, 58, of Grand Blanc, to claim an 18th term in the House. Kildee piled up 107,212 votes (53 percent) to 89,671 (44 percent) for Kupiec to seal the victory.
And another area representative in Congress, Dave Camp, cruised to his 11th term by raising $2.6 million to crush Jerry Campbell, 52, supervisor of Richland Township, Roscommon County. Rep. Camp got 147,622 votes (66 percent) to 68,123 (31 percent) for the underfunded Campbell.
With the Republicans taking the House, Rep. Camp, of Midland, is poised to chair the powerful Ways and Means Committee.
Here's an example of the Benishek campaign rhetoric that 1st District voters bought, lock stock and barrel:
"Had enough of the career politicians in Lansing and Washington? Had enough of the unemployment, the overspending and the deficits? Had enough of the tax hikes and takeovers? Had enough of politicians passing laws they've never read and don't understand? If you've had enough, you're in the right place. Dr. Dan Benishek is running for Congress with a simple message: Enough is enough!"
The new Member of Congress was born in Iron River, Michigan, to a mother was of Polish descent and father of Bohemian descent. His father worked for the Civilian Conservation Corps and in the iron mines of Iron County. He died in a mining accident in 1957 and his mother, with the help of family, raised him and his brother. Dan and his wife, Judy, live in Crystal Falls. They have five children and two grandchildren.
He's served as a general surgeon in Michigan's Upper Peninsula since 1983.
Conservative website Redstate.com had this to say about Benishek, outlining his ideological orientation and some of the legislative stands the new Member of Congress will address:
"There's a lot of talk about the race in Michigan?s 1st Congressional District.
"Dr. Dan Benishek is the kind of commonsense voice we need in Washington to replace the retiring Bart Stupak. As a physician, he understands why Obamacare must be repealed and replaced with true health care reform.
"Dan is determined to work to get our country's fiscal house in order. As a self-described "hunter and fisherman and proud member of the NRA," he's great for Michigan 1st District, which like Alaska, is home to outdoor enthusiasts who love their hunting and fishing."
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