REAL COMPETITION: Primary elections for congressional races can be dull affairs, but district remapping in the Detroit area has produced two competitive races. Reps. Gary Peters and Hansen Clarke are battling for the Democratic nomination for one seat, while veteran John Conyers has four Democratic challengers for another. Both districts include parts of Detroit and nearby suburbs.
MCCOTTER FACTOR: One motive for Republican legislators who redrew the district map was to protect GOP Rep. Thad McCotter, but he foiled the strategy by resigning after failing to qualify for re-election because of petition signature irregularities. Former state Sen. Nancy Cassis hopes to prevail in a write-in campaign over the only Republican on the ballot: tea party supporter Kerry Bentivolio.
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FOLLOW THE MONEY: Several veteran lawmakers have more than incumbency working for them; they’ve also got big bucks. Rep. Fred Upton has raised $3.1 million while Republican challenger Jack Hoogendyk has raised about $123,000. Rep. John Dingell has taken in more than $1 million; little-known Democratic challenger Daniel Marcin, about $15,000.
