Is Rep. Bentivolio throwing in the towel?

 

Could it be that Michigan’s wacky Republican representative, Kerry Bentivolio, has decided that he is a one-term congressman?

Bentivolio has made little effort to prepare for a re-election campaign next year despite the likelihood that he may face well-funded opposition in the GOP primary. 

After all, the 2012 election of Bentivolio, a reindeer rancher from Oakland County, was a fluke. The 11^thDistrict seat was dropped into his lap when the incumbent, Thad McCotter, became mired in a scandal and resigned.

When the deadline passed a few days ago for members of Congress to report their first quarter fundraising, what stood out is that Bentivolio only raised some $70,000 dollars and one of his campaigns committees is showing debts of more than $200,000 dollars. In comparison, some House members raise nearly $1 million in a quarter.

Michigan Radio points out that a prominent Republican, Paul Welday, former chairman of the Oakland County GOP, responded on his Facebook page:

"Like it or not, a reality and necessity in politics is fundraising… It's a measure of support and indication of strength… This should be a huge "red flag" across the 11th District of Michigan and a very real concern for GOP leaders everywhere."