2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Michigan

The 2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Michigan was held on Tuesday, November 6, 2012, to elect the 14 U.S. Representatives from the state of Michigan, a decrease of one following the 2010 United States Census. The elections coincided with the elections of other federal and state offices, including a quadrennial presidential election and an election to the U.S. Senate. Primary elections were held on August 7, 2012. The filing deadline for candidates to file to run in the primary was May 15.[1][2] Except for two seats, all the incumbents sought re-election. The open seats were the 5th and 11th Congressional Districts. Due to the loss of one seat from the 2010 Census, two congressmen ran against each other. Despite Democrats winning more than 240,000 more votes for U.S. House districts statewide, Republicans won nine of 14 seats and Michiganders tied a state record by electing the lowest rate (35 percent) of U.S. Representatives by a major party whilst simultaneously casting its electoral votes for that party's presidential nominee.[3]

2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Michigan
November 6, 2012 (2012-11-06)
All 14 Michigan seats to the United States House of Representatives
  Majority party Minority party
 
Party Republican Democratic
Last election 9 6
Seats won 9 5
Seat change 1
Popular vote 2,086,804 2,327,985
Percentage 45.62% 50.89%
Swing 6.70% 6.59%
Elections in Michigan
Federal government
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Mayoral elections

Overview
United States House of Representatives elections in Michigan, 2012[4]
Party Votes Percentage Seats Before Seats After +/–
Democratic 2,327,985 50.89% 6 5 -1
Republican 2,086,804 45.62% 9 9 -
Libertarian 102,141 2.23% 0 0 -
Green 25,379 0.55% 0 0 -
U.S. Taxpayers 16,264 0.36% 0 0 -
Independents 16,059 0.35% 0 0 -
Total 4,574,632 100.00% 15 14 -1
Popular vote
Democratic
 
 50.89%
Republican
 
 45.62%
Libertarian Party
 
 2.23%
Other
 
 1.26%
House seats
Republican
 
 64.28%
Democratic
 
 35.71%

Redistricting

The Michigan Legislature, which is controlled by the Republican Party, began the redistricting process on April 11, 2011.[5] A plan released by the Republican Party in June 2011, which would place the homes of Democrats Gary Peters and Sander Levin into the same district,[6] was passed by the Michigan House of Representatives[7] and Senate[8] later that month. The plan was signed into law by Governor Rick Snyder on August 9.[9] The two incumbents forced to face each other were Gary Peters and Hansen Clarke.

District 1

In redistricting, the 1st district was made slightly more favorable to Republicans: Republican nominee John McCain received less than one percentage point more of the vote in the 2008 presidential election in the newly drawn district compared to the former district.[6] Roll Call had rated the race as "Leans Republican,"[10] but changed the rating first to "Tossup"[11] and then "Leans Democratic."[12] Republican Dan Benishek, who was first elected to represent the 1st district in 2010, ran for re-election.[13]

The third-party candidates were Emily Salvette as the Libertarian Party nominee and Ellis Boal as the Green Party nominee.[14]

Democratic primary

Gary McDowell, a former state representative and unsuccessful candidate for the 1st district in 2010,[15] ran unopposed for the Democratic nomination.[2] Derek Bailey, the tribal chairman of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians had considered running as a Democrat, but chose instead to run for the 101st Michigan House district seat.[16]

Primary results
Democratic primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Gary McDowell 36,339 100.0
Total votes 36,339 100.0

Primary results
Republican primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Dan Benishek (incumbent) 64,411 100.0
Total votes 64,411 100.0

Polling
Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size		 Margin of
error		 Dan
Benishek (R)		 Gary
McDowell (D)
Benenson Strategy Group September 29 – October 1, 2012 400 ± 4.9% 40% 43%
Garin-Hart-Yang September 18–20, 2012 402 ± 4.9% 40% 49%
Public Policy Polling September 18–19, 2012 866 ± 3.3% 42% 44%
Garin-Hart-Yang June 19–20, 2012 402 ± 4.9% 40% 38%
Public Policy Polling January 18–23, 2012 867 ± 3.3% 41% 46%

Results
Michigan's 1st congressional district, 2012
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Dan Benishek (incumbent) 167,060 48.1
Democratic Gary McDowell 165,179 47.6
Libertarian Emily Salvette 10,630 3.1
Green Ellis Boal 4,168 1.2
Total votes 347,037 100.0
Republican hold

District 2

Republican Bill Huizenga, who was first elected to represent the 2nd district in 2010, sought re-election.[13] He was unopposed for the Republican primary. Other third-party candidates on the ballot were Mary Buzuma for the Libertarian Party, Ronald Graeser for the U.S. Taxpayers Party and William Opalicky for the Green Party. Roll Call rates the race as "Safe Republican",[17] and Huizenga won easily re-election with 61.2% of the vote.[18]

Democratic primary

Muskegon city commissioner Willie German Jr ran in the August primary as a write-in candidate[19] after David Takitaki, a political science professor at Adrian College and Muskegon Community College, was seeking the Democratic nomination to challenge Huizenga, but withdrew from the race for health reasons.[20] Commissioner German was therefore on the ballot on the Democratic side.[14]

Primary results
Democratic primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Willie German Jr. (write-in) 1,813 100.0
Total votes 1,813 100.0

Primary results
Republican primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Bill Huizenga (incumbent) 58,170 100.0
Total votes 58,170 100.0

Results
Michigan's 2nd congressional district, 2012
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Bill Huizenga (incumbent) 194,653 61.2
Democratic Willie German, Jr. 108,973 34.2
Libertarian Mary Buzuma 8,750 2.6
Taxpayers Ronald Graeser 3,176 1.1
Green William Opalicky 2,715 0.9
Total votes 318,267 100.0
Republican hold

District 3

Republican Justin Amash, who was first elected to represent the 3rd district in 2010, is seeking re-election and ran unopposed in the Republican primary.[13] Libertarian Party candidate Bill Gelineau is also on the ballot.[14]

In redistricting, the 3rd district was made more favorable to Democrats.[6] Roll Call rate the race as "Likely Republican."[11]

Democratic primary

Former state representative, former judge, former Kent County Commissioner and small business owner Steve Pestka[21] won the Democratic primary, defeating Trevor Thomas who had worked for former governor Jennifer Granholm's 2006 re-election campaign and in her executive office.[22] Redistricting drew the home of former Democratic Representative Mark Schauer, who represented the 7th district from 2009 until 2011, into the district;[6] but he decided not to run for Congress in 2012.[23] Pat Miles, a lawyer who unsuccessfully challenged Amash as the Democratic nominee in 2010, also decided not to run.[24][25]

Primary results
Democratic primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Steve Pestka 13,414 59.0
Democratic Gary McDowell 9,321 41.0
Total votes 22,735 100.0

Primary results
Republican primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Justin Amash (incumbent) 51,113 100.0
Republican Steven Lee Butler (write-in) 16 0.0
Total votes 51,129 100.0

Results
Michigan's 3rd congressional district, 2012
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Justin Amash (incumbent) 171,675 52.6
Democratic Steve Pestka 144,108 44.2
Libertarian Bill Gelineau 10,498 3.2
Independent Steven Butler (write-in) 2 0.0
Total votes 326,283 100.0
Republican hold

District 4

Republican David Lee Camp, who has represented the 4th district since 1993 and previously represented the 10th district from 1991 until 1993, will seek re-election.[13] The Democratic candidate is attorney Debra Freidell Wirth.[26] The other candidates are John Gelineau for the Libertarian Party, George Zimmer for the U.S. Taxpayers Party and Pat Timmons for the Green Party.[14] Roll Call rates the race as "Likely Republican".[17]

Primary results
Democratic primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Debra Friedell Wirth 20,519 100.0
Total votes 20,519 100.0

Primary results
Republican primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Dave Camp (incumbent) 67,028 100.0
Total votes 67,028 100.0

Results
Michigan's 4th congressional district, 2012
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Dave Camp (incumbent) 197,386 63.1
Democratic Debra Freidell Wirth 104,996 33.6
Libertarian John Gelineau 4,285 1.4
Taxpayers George Zimmer 3,506 1.1
Green Pat Timmons 2,776 0.9
Total votes 312,949 100.0
Republican hold

District 5

Democrat Dale Kildee, who has represented the 5th district since 2003 and previously represented the 9th district from 1993 until 2003 and the 7th district from 1977 until 1993, chose to retire rather than run for re-election in 2012.[27] His nephew, former Genesee County treasurer Dan Kildee ran unopposed on the Democratic side.[28]

Flint school board member David Davenport ran as an independent.[29] Also running was Gregory Creswell of the Libertarian Party.[14]

Roll Call rated the race as "Safe Democratic".[17]

Primary results
Democratic primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Dan Kildee 51,840 100.0
Total votes 51,840 100.0

Republican primary

Former Democratic state representative Jim Slezak,[30] and Tuscola County public safety officer Tom Wassa,[31] sought the Republican nomination.[28] Slezak defeated Wassa in the GOP primary.[25]

Primary results
Republican primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jim Slezak 16,951 63.9
Republican Tom Wassa 9,583 36.1
Total votes 26,534 100.0

Results
Michigan's 5th congressional district, 2012
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Dan Kildee 214,531 65.0
Republican Jim Slezak 103,931 31.5
Independent David Davenport 6,694 2.0
Libertarian Gregory Creswell 4,990 1.5
Total votes 330,146 100.0
Democratic hold

District 6

Republican Fred Upton, who has represented the 6th district since 1993 and previously represented the 4th district from 1987 until 1993, will seek re-election.[13]

Jason Gatties, a business manager and security consultant from St. Joseph, received the US Taxpayers Party of Michigan's nomination at their state convention on June 16, 2012. Christie Gelineau received the Libertarian Party's nomination at their state Saturday June 2, 2012. Roll Call rates the race as "Likely Republican".[17]

Democratic primary

Mike O'Brien, a project leader at Herman Miller and former organic farmer, will seek the Democratic nomination.[32] John Waltz, an Iraq and Afghanistan war veteran who unsuccessfully ran for Congress in Kentucky's 4th congressional district in 2010, had planned to seek the Democratic nomination,[33] but dropped out in February 2012 because of an illness.[34]

Primary results
Democratic primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Mike O'Brien 14,224 100.0
Total votes 14,224 100.0

Republican primary

Former state Representative Jack Hoogendyk, who unsuccessfully challenged Upton in the Republican primary in 2010, announced on January 17, 2012, that he would run again.[35] Upton easily defeated Hoogendyk in the GOP primary.[25]

Polling
Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size		 Margin of
error		 Jack
Hoogendyk		 Fred
Upton		 Undecided
EPIC-MRA July 28–29, 2012 800 ± 3.5% 31% 61% 8%

Primary results
Republican primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Fred Upton (incumbent) 45,919 66.6
Republican Jack Hoogendyk 64,411 33.4
Total votes 68,991 100.0

Results
Michigan's 6th congressional district, 2012
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Fred Upton (incumbent) 174,955 54.6
Democratic Mike O'Brien 136,563 42.6
Libertarian Christie Gelineau 6,366 2.1
Independent Jason Gatties 2,591 0.7
Total votes 320,475 100.0
Republican hold

District 7

In redistricting, the 7th district was made slightly more favorable to Republicans: McCain received less than one percentage point more of the vote in the 2008 presidential election in the newly drawn district compared to the former district.[6]

Republican Tim Walberg, who has represented the 7th district since January 2011 and previously served from 2007 until 2009, is running for re-election.[13] Roll Call rates the race as "Likely Republican".[17]

Democratic primary

Kurt Haskell, an attorney,[36] and Ruben Marquez, the chairman of the Jackson County Democratic Party,[37] ran for the Democratic nomination. Former U.S. Representative Joe Schwarz, who represented the 7th district from 2005 to 2007 as a Republican and was defeated by Walberg in the Republican primary in 2006, and had been recruited by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee,[38] has decided not to run.[39] Former U.S. Representative Mark Schauer, who represented the 7th district from 2009 until 2011, no longer lives within its boundaries and will not run.[40]

Primary results
Democratic primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Kurt Richard Haskell 18,812 66.7
Democratic Gary McDowell 9,371 33.3
Total votes 28,183 100.0

Republican primary

Mike Stahly, a former member of the Potterville City Council, and Dan Davis, businessman and former police officer, challenged Walberg in the Republican primary.[41]

Primary results
Republican primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Tim Walberg (incumbent) 45,592 76.0
Republican Dan Davis 14,386 24.0
Total votes 59,978 100.0

Results
Michigan's 7th congressional district, 2012
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Tim Walberg (incumbent) 169,668 53.3
Democratic Kurt R. Haskell 136,849 43.0
Libertarian Ken Proctor 8,088 2.6
Green Richard Wunsch 3,464 1.1
Total votes 318,069 100.0
Republican hold

District 8

Republican Mike Rogers, who has represented the 8th district since 2001, sought re-election.[13]

Other candidates were Daniel Goebel of the Libertarian Party and independent candidate Preston Brooks.[14] Roll Call rated the race as "Likely Republican".[17]

Democratic primary

Lance Enderle, a former teacher and unsuccessful candidate for the 8th district in 2010 was unopposed for the Democratic nomination.[42]

Primary results
Democratic primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Lance Enderle 29,322 100.0
Total votes 29,322 100.0

Republican primary

Rogers had two challengers for the Republican nomination, Brian Hetrick and Vernon Molnar.[2] Rogers easily won the GOP nomination.[25]

Primary results
Republican primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Mike Rogers (incumbent) 56,208 85.7
Republican Brian Hetrick 6,098 9.3
Republican Vernon Molnar 3,257 5.0
Total votes 65,563 100.0

Results
Michigan's 8th congressional district, 2012
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Mike Rogers (incumbent) 202,217 58.6
Democratic Lance Enderle 128,657 37.3
Libertarian Daniel Goebel 8,083 2.3
Independent Preston Brooks 6,097 1.8
Total votes 345,054 100.0
Republican hold

District 9

In redistricting, the homes of Democratic Representatives Sander Levin and Gary Peters were drawn into the 9th district,[6] which comprises mostly Macomb County but also includes a part of Oakland County.[43] Levin, who has represented the 12th district since 1993 and previously represented the 17th district from 1983 until 1993, will seek re-election here.[17] Peters, who has represented the 9th district since 2009, will seek re-election in the redrawn 14th district.[44]

Jim Fulner, an engineer from Berkley, earned the Libertarian Party nomination at their state convention June 2, 2012, in Livonia.[45] Julia Williams, the 2010 Green Party Candidate for the same seat, was nominated again at the 2012 Michigan Green Party convention, Saturday June 9, 2012, in Mount Pleasant.[46] Lester Townsend received the US Taxpayers Party of Michigan's nomination at their state convention Saturday June 16, 2012. This marks the fourth election cycle in a row Townsend has challenged Levin for his seat. Roll Call rates the race as "Likely Democratic".[17]

Primary results
Democratic primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Sander Levin (incumbent) 55,198 100.0
Total votes 55,198 100.0

Republican primary

Don Volaric, a businessman who unsuccessfully challenged Levin as the Republican nominee in the 12th district in 2010, is running for the seat.[47] He was opposed in the Republican primary by Gregory Dildilian.
Volaric defeated Dildilian in the GOP primary.[25]

Primary results
Republican primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Don Volaric 24,521 61.6
Republican Gregory C. Dildilian 15,283 38.4
Total votes 39,804 100.0

Results
Michigan's 9th congressional district, 2012
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Sander Levin (incumbent) 208,846 61.8
Republican Don Volaric 114,760 34.0
Libertarian Jim Fulner 6,100 1.8
Green Julia Williams 4,708 1.4
Taxpayers Les Townsend 2,902 0.9
Total votes 337,316 100.0
Democratic hold

District 10

Republican Candice Miller, who has represented the 10th district since 2003, will seek re-election.[13] Roll Call rates the race as "Likely Republican".

Democratic primary

Two candidates were seeking the Democratic nomination, Jerome Quinn and Chuck Stadler. Stadler defeated Quinn in the Democratic primary.[25]

Primary results
Democratic primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Chuck Stadler 13,480 58.1
Democratic Jerome George Quinn 9,705 41.9
Total votes 23,185 100.0

Primary results
Republican primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Candice S. Miller (incumbent) 68,063 100.0
Total votes 68,063 100.0

Results
Michigan's 10th congressional district, 2012
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Candice Miller (incumbent) 226,075 68.8
Democratic Chuck Stadler 97,734 29.7
Libertarian Bhagwan Dashairya 4,803 1.5
Total votes 328,612 100.0
Republican hold

District 11
See also: 2012 Michigan's 11th congressional district special election

Special election

Thad McCotter had represented the old 11th district since 2003 and sought the Republican presidential nomination. After poor polling results, McCotter ended his presidential campaign and announced plans to run again for his seat in Congress. On May 26, 2012, the Michigan Secretary of State announced McCotter had fallen well short of the required 1,000 petition signatures required for him to qualify for the primary ballot.[48][49] In what state officials described as a level of fraud unprecedented in Michigan political history, subsequent reviews of McCotter's petitions revealed that over 85 percent of the signatures were invalid. Most of them were either duplicates or signatures that appeared to have been pasted from past years' petitions.[50][51] Conceding that the signatures were indeed invalid, McCotter announced he would mount a write-in bid for his seat;[52] however, he decided not to continue with his write-in bid on June 2 and announced his intention to retire after completing his term.[53] McCotter suddenly resigned from his seat on July 6, leaving the 11th District unrepresented.[54]

Secretary of State Ruth Johnson found the apparent fraud egregious enough to turn the evidence over to the Michigan attorney general's office to determine if laws were broken regarding the invalid signatures.[55] The Michigan Attorney General's office charged four McCotter aides with forgery, although McCotter was not charged with any wrongdoing.[56][57]

McCotter's resignation resulted in a special election, which was expected to cost taxpayers $650,000.[58][59]

Democratic candidate David Curson defeated Kerry Bentivolio in the special general election, conducted in the 2012-configured 11th district only, and coinciding with the regular general election on November 6. John Tatar was also on the ballot for the Libertarian Party and Mark Sosnowski for the U.S. Taxpayers Party.[60][61] Bentivolio was endorsed by Gov. Rick Snyder, Lt. Gov. Brian Calley, Senator Rand Paul, and Congress members Candice Miller, Justin Amash, Dan Banishek and Ron Paul, and former officeholders Rick Santorum and Peter Hoekstra.[62]

Regular election

As a result of Republican-leaning areas of the old 9th district being drawn into the new 11th,[6] the 11th district was made more favorable to Republicans. McCain received four percentage points more of the vote in the 2008 presidential election in the newly drawn district compared to the current district. While Roll Call rated this race as "Likely Republican" before the primary,[63] they changed the rating to "Leans Republican".[64] It has since changed back to "Likely Republican."

Democratic primary

Dr. Syed Taj, a member of the Canton Township Board of Trustees,[65] was the Democratic nominee, defeating Bill Roberts, a follower of Lyndon LaRouche.

Primary results
Democratic primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Syed Taj 21,953 58.9
Democratic William F. Roberts 15,338 41.1
Total votes 37,291 100.0

Republican primary

For the regular primary held August 7, 2012, for the upcoming two-year term in Congress, Kerry Bentivolio, a veteran and former teacher who had already planned to challenge McCotter, was left the only candidate on the Republican primary ballot.[66] The Troy Republican Club, U.S. House Member Justin Amash, Tea Party groups and Ron Paul's PAC all endorsed Bentivolio.[67][68] Other Republicans, including Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson, refused to endorse Bentivolio and instead endorsed former state senator Nancy Cassis as a write-in candidate.[69] Bentivolio defeated Cassis in the August 7 primary, and was the only Republican candidate on the ballot in areas covered by the new 11th. Cassis and Drexel Morton also wrote as write-in candidates.[70]

Primary results
Republican primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Kerry Bentivolio 42,470 66.3
Republican Nancy Cassis (write-in) 21,436 33.4
Republican Drexel Morton (write-in) 161 0.3
Republican Loren Bennett (write-in) 14 0.0
Total votes 64,081 100.0

Results
Michigan's 11th congressional district, 2012
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Kerry Bentivolio 181,788 50.8
Democratic Syed Taj 158,879 44.4
Libertarian John Tatar 9,637 2.7
Green Steven Paul Duke 4,569 1.3
Natural Law Daniel Johnson 3,251 0.9
n/a Write-ins 15 0.0
Total votes 358,139 100.0
Republican gain from Democratic

District 12

Democrat John Dingell, who has represented the district since 2003 and previously from 1955 until 1965, and previously represented the 16th district from 1965 until 2003, will seek re-election here. Roll Call rates the race as "Safe Democratic".[17]

Democratic primary

Daniel Marcin, a doctorate student at the University of Michigan, will challenge Dingell in the Democratic primary.[71] Fellow Democratic U.S. Representative Sander Levin, who has represented the 12th district since 1993 and previously represented the 17th district from 1983 until 1993, will seek re-election in the redrawn 9th district.[17]

Primary results
Democratic primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John Dingell (incumbent) 41,116 78.5
Democratic Daniel Marcin 11,226 21.5
Total votes 52,342 100.0

Republican primary

Karen Jacobsen, a businesswoman, and Cynthia Kallgren, former candidate for State Representative, will seek the Republican nomination.[71]

Primary results
Republican primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Cynthia Kallgren 12,028 50.7
Republican Karen E. Jacobsen 11,670 49.2
Republican Timothy Kachinski (write-in) 10 0.1
Total votes 23,708 100.0

Results
Michigan's 12th congressional district, 2012
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John D. Dingell (incumbent) 216,884 67.9
Republican Cynthia Kallgren 92,472 29.0
Libertarian Richard Secula 9,867 3.1
Total votes 319,223 100.0
Democratic hold

District 13

Democrat John Conyers, who has represented the 14th district since 1993 and previously represented the 1st district from 1965 until 1993, sought re-election in the new 13th district.

The Libertarian Party of Michigan has nominated Chris Sharer of Westland as their candidate.[72] and Martin Gray is the U.S. Taxpayers Party candidate.[14]

Roll Call rates the race as "Safe Democratic".[17]

Democratic primary

Democrat Hansen Clarke, who was first elected to represent the 13th district in 2010, is instead running in the 14th district.[73] State Senator Glenn S. Anderson,[74] Wayne-Westland school board member John Goci,[75] state Representative Shanelle Jackson,[76] and state Senator Bert Johnson,[77][78] are challenging Conyers for the Democratic nomination. Godfrey Dillard, an attorney, had also been seeking the Democratic nomination but was removed from the primary ballot after filing fewer than the 1,000 signatures needed to be eligible for the ballot.[79]

Polling
Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size		 Margin of
error		 Glenn
Anderson		 John
Conyers		 John
Goci		 Shanelle
Jackson		 Bert
Johnson		 Undecided
EPIC-MRA July 28–29, 2012 800 ± 3.5% 17% 57% 4% 7% 5% 10%

Primary results
Democratic primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John Conyers, Jr. (incumbent) 38,371 55.4
Democratic Glenn Anderson 12,586 18.2
Democratic Bert Johnson 6,928 10.0
Democratic Shanelle Jackson 8,708 12.6
Democratic John Goci 2,664 3.8
Total votes 69,257 100.0

Republican primary

Harry Sawicki was unopposed for the Republican nomination.[79]

Primary results
Republican primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Harry Sawicki 8,462 100.0
Total votes 8,462 100.0

Results
Michigan's 13th congressional district, 2012
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John Conyers, Jr. (incumbent) 235,336 82.8
Republican Harry T. Sawicki 38,769 13.6
Libertarian Chris Sharer 6,076 2.1
Taxpayers Martin Gray 4,089 1.5
Total votes 284,270 100.0
Democratic hold

District 14

The new 14th district crosses the traditional boundary of the 8 Mile Road (separating Detroit from Oakland County) in order to continue to have a majority of minority voters. A large part of the district is now outside of Detroit (it comprises approximately 40 percent Detroit, 40 percent Oakland County, and 20 percent out lying Wayne County).[43]

Leonard Schwartz, Lawyer and Perennial candidate from Oak Park, who most recently challenged Sandy Levin for US House District 12 in 2010, is the Libertarian Nominee.[80]Douglas Campbell, an engineer from Ferndale, is the Green Party Candidate. Roll Call rates the race as "Safe Democratic".[17]

Democratic primary

Democratic U.S. Representatives Gary Peters, who was elected to represent the 9th district in 2008, and Hansen Clarke, who was first elected to represent the 13th district in 2010, sought election in the new 14th district. Southfield mayor Brenda Lawrence;[44][81] former state representative Mary Waters, who unsuccessfully sought the Democratic nomination in the 13th district in 2008,[82] and Bob Costello also seek the Democratic nomination. Democrat John Conyers, who has represented the 14th district since 1993 and previously represented the 1st district from 1965 until 1993, will instead run in the 13th district.[73]

Polling
Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size		 Margin of
error		 Hansen
Clarke		 Bob
Costello		 Brenda
Lawrence		 Gary
Peters		 Mary
Waters		 Undecided
EPIC-MRA July 28–29, 2012 800 ± 3.5% 33% 1% 7% 52% 2% 5%

Primary results
Democratic primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Gary Peters (incumbent) 41,230 47.0
Democratic Hansen Clarke (incumbent) 30,847 35.2
Democratic Brenda Lawrence 6,928 13.3
Democratic Mary Waters 2,919 3.3
Democratic Bob Costello 1,027 1.2
Total votes 87,667 100.0

Republican primary

The lone Republican candidate for the seat is John Hauler.

Primary results
Republican primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican John Hauler 17,691 100.0
Total votes 17,691 100.0

Results
Michigan's 14th congressional district, 2012
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Gary Peters (incumbent) 270,450 82.3
Republican John Hauler 51,395 15.6
Libertarian Leonard Schwartz 3,968 1.2
Green Douglas Campbell 2,979 0.9
Total votes 328,792 100.0
Democratic hold

District 15

As the 15th district was eliminated, Democrat John Dingell, who has represented the district since 2003 and previously from 1955 until 1965, and previously represented the 16th district from 1965 until 2003, successfully sought re-election in the 12th district.[17]

References
  1. "August 7, 2012 Primary and November 6, 2012 General Election: Important Dates and Filing Deadlines" (PDF). Michigan Department of State. Retrieved August 16, 2011.
  2. 2012 Official Michigan Primary Candidate Listing
  3. Ostermeier, Eric (July 8, 2013). "Michigan Democrats' Gerrymandering Problem at Historic Level". Smart Politics.
  4. Office of the Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives
  5. McMillin, Zane (April 11, 2011). "Mich. Legislature to start redistricting". The State News. Retrieved June 5, 2011.
  6. Blake, Aaron (June 20, 2011). "Michigan map highlights GOP redistricting challenges". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 21, 2011.
  7. Martin, Tim (June 22, 2011). "Michigan House approves new districts for Congress". The Advocate. Retrieved June 24, 2011.
  8. "Michigan Senate approves new congressional map". Grand Haven Tribune. June 30, 2011. Retrieved August 10, 2011.
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  10. Midwest Region Roundup : Roll Call Special Features Election Preview
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