2012 United States House of Representatives elections in Michigan

Overview

Redistricting

The Michigan Legislature, which is controlled by the Republican Party, began the redistricting process on April 11, 2011. 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, was passed by the Michigan House of Representatives and Senate later that month. The plan was signed into law by Governor Rick Snyder on August 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. but changed the rating first to "Tossup" and then "Leans Democratic." Republican Dan Benishek, who was first elected to represent the 1st district in 2010, ran for re-election.

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

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Dan Benishek, incumbent U.S. representative

Primary results

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Gary McDowell, former state representative and nominee for this seat in 2010

Withdrawn

• Derek Bailey, tribal chairman of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians (running for the 101st State House district)

Primary results

General election

Endorsements

Organizations

• National Republican Congressional Committee "Patriot" Program
• National Right to Life Committee
• NRA Political Victory Fund
• United States Chamber of Commerce

Newspapers

• The Detroit News Labor unions
• AFL-CIO
• National Association of Letter Carriers

Organizations

• Blue Dog Coalition
• Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee "Red to Blue" Program
• League of Conservation Voters

Newspapers

• Detroit Free Press

Debate

Polling

Predictions

Results

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District 2

Republican Bill Huizenga, who was first elected to represent the 2nd district in 2010, sought re-election. 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 rated the race as "Safe Republican", and Huizenga easily won re-election with 61.2% of the vote.

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Bill Huizenga, incumbent U.S. representative

Declined

• David Agema, state representative

Primary results

Democratic primary

Muskegon city commissioner Willie German, Jr. ran in the August primary as a write-in candidate 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. Commissioner German was therefore on the ballot on the Democratic side.

Candidates

Nominee

• Willie German Jr, Muskegon city commissioner

Withdrawn

• David Takitaki, political science professor at Adrian College and Muskegon Community College

Primary results

General election

Endorsements

Organizations

• National Right to Life Committee
• NRA Political Victory Fund
• United States Chamber of Commerce

Newspapers

• Muskegon Chronicle

Predictions

Results

District 3

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

In redistricting, the 3rd district was made more favorable to Democrats. Roll Call rated the race as "Likely Republican."

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Justin Amash, incumbent U.S. representative

Declined

• Terri Lynn Land, former Michigan Secretary of State

Primary results

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Steve Pestka, former state representative, former judge, former Kent County Commissioner and small business owner

Eliminated in primary

• Trevor Thomas, former employee in the executive office of Jennifer Granholm

Declined

• Pat Miles, lawyer and nominee for this seat in 2010
• Mark Schauer, former U.S. representative

Endorsements

U.S. senators

• Carl Levin, U.S. senator (1979–present)

State legislators

• Gretchen Whitmer, Michigan Senate minority leader

Labor unions

• AFL-CIO
• Michigan Education Association
• Service Employees International Union
• United Auto Workers

Local officials

• John H. Logie, mayor of Grand Rapids (1992–2003)

Individuals

• Jocelyn Benson, law professor and nominee for secretary of state in 2010 U.S. representatives
• Barney Frank, U.S. representative from Massachusetts's 4th congressional district (1981–present)
• Raul Grijalva, U.S. representative from Arizona's 7th congressional district (2003–present)

Statewide officials

• Jennifer Granholm, governor of Michigan (2003–2011)
• John Cherry, lieutenant governor of Michigan (2003–2011)
• Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, lieutenant governor of Maryland (1995–2003)

Organizations

• Equality Michigan
• National Organization for Women
• Planned Parenthood Action Fund
• Stonewall Democrats

Individuals

• Cate Edwards, attorney and daughter of former US Senator John Edwards

Primary results

General election

Endorsements

Organizations

• Citizens Against Government Waste
• National Federation of Independent Business
• Republican Liberty Caucus
• United States Chamber of Commerce

Newspapers

• The Detroit News
• Grand Rapids Press U.S. senators
• Carl Levin, U.S. senator (1979–present)
• Debbie Stabenow, U.S. senator (2001–present)

U.S. representatives

• Mark Schauer, U.S. representative from Michigan's 7th congressional district (2009–2011)
• Joe Schwarz, U.S. representative from Michigan's 7th congressional district (2005–2007)

Statewide officials

• Jennifer Granholm, governor of Michigan (2003–2011)

State legislators

• Gretchen Whitmer, Michigan Senate minority leader

Labor unions

• AFL-CIO
• International Association of Fire Fighters
• Laborers' International Union of North America
• Michigan Education Association
• National Association of Letter Carriers
• Service Employees International Union
• United Auto Workers

Organizations

• Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee "Emerging Races" Program
• Equality Michigan

Newspapers

• Detroit Free Press

Local officials

• John H. Logie, mayor of Grand Rapids (1992–2003)

Individuals

• Jocelyn Benson, law professor and nominee for secretary of state in 2010

Polling

Predictions

Results

District 4

Republican David Lee Camp, who had represented the 4th district since 1993 and previously represented the 10th district from 1991 until 1993, sought re-election. Roll Call rated the race as "Likely Republican".

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• David Lee Camp, incumbent U.S. representative

Primary results

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Debra Friedell Wirth, attorney

Primary results

General election

Endorsements

Organizations

• National Right to Life Committee
• NRA Political Victory Fund
• United States Chamber of Commerce

Newspapers

• Midland Daily News
• Saginaw News Labor unions
• AFL-CIO
• United Auto Workers

Organizations

• Equality Michigan

Predictions

Results

District 5

Democrat Dale Kildee, who had 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.

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

Roll Call rated the race as "Safe Democratic".

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Dan Kildee, former Genesee County treasurer and nephew of Dale Kildee

Declined

• Jim Barcia, former U.S. representative
• Deborah Cherry, Genesee County treasurer
• John Cherry, former lieutenant governor
• David Crim, union organizer
• John Gleason, state senator
• Dale Kildee, incumbent U.S. representative
• Woodrow Stanley, state representative

Primary results

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Jim Slezak, former Democratic state representative

Eliminated in primary

• Tom Wassa, Tuscola County public safety officer

Primary results

General election

Endorsements

Labor unions

• AFL-CIO
• National Association of Letter Carriers
• Service Employees International Union
• United Auto Workers

Organizations

• Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee "Majority Makers" Program
• Equality Michigan
• National Organization for Women
• Planned Parenthood Action Fund
• Sierra Club

Newspapers

• Detroit Free Press
• The Detroit News
• The Flint Journal

Predictions

Results

District 6

Republican Fred Upton, who had represented the 6th district since 1993 and previously represented the 4th district from 1987 until 1993, sought re-election.

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 convention on June 2, 2012. Roll Call rated the race as "Likely Republican".

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Fred Upton, incumbent U.S. representative

Eliminated in primary

• Jack Hoogendyk, former state representative and candidate for this seat in 2010

Polling

Primary results

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Mike O'Brien, project leader at Herman Miller and former organic farmer

Withdrawn

• John Waltz, Iraq and Afghanistan war veteran, nominee for Kentucky's 4th congressional district in 2010; dropped out in February 2012 due to illness

Primary results

General election

Endorsements

Organizations

• National Right to Life Committee
• NRA Political Victory Fund
• United States Chamber of Commerce Labor unions
• AFL-CIO
• United Auto Workers

Organizations

• Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee "Emerging Races" Program
• Equality Michigan

Predictions

Results

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.

Republican Tim Walberg, who had represented the 7th district since January 2011 and previously served from 2007 until 2009, ran for re-election. Roll Call rated the race as "Likely Republican".

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Tim Walberg, incumbent U.S. representative

Eliminated in primary

• Dan Davis, businessman and former police officer
• Mike Stahly, former member of Potterville City Council and candidate for this seat in 2010

Primary results

Democratic primary

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, was recruited by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

Candidates

Nominee

• Kurt Haskell, attorney

Eliminated in primary

• Ruben Marquez, chair of the Jackson County Democratic Party

Declined

• Mark Schauer, former U.S. representative
• Joe Schwarz, former Republican U.S. representative

Endorsements

Labor unions

• United Auto Workers

Primary results

General election

Endorsements

Organizations

• National Federation of Independent Business
• National Right to Life Committee
• NRA Political Victory Fund
• United States Chamber of Commerce

Newspapers

• Jackson Citizen Patriot Labor unions
• United Auto Workers

Predictions

Results

District 8

Republican Mike Rogers, who had represented the 8th district since 2001, sought re-election.

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

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Mike Rogers, incumbent U.S. representative

Eliminated in primary

• Brian Hetrick, mechanical engineer
• Vernon Molnar

Primary results

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Lance Enderle, former teacher and nominee for this seat in 2010

Primary results

General election

Endorsements

Organizations

• National Right to Life Committee
• NRA Political Victory Fund
• United States Chamber of Commerce

Newspapers

• Livingston County Daily Press & Argus Labor unions
• AFL-CIO
• American Federation of Teachers
• United Auto Workers

Organizations

• Equality Michigan
• National Organization for Women

Predictions

Results

District 9

In redistricting, the homes of Democratic Representatives Sander Levin and Gary Peters were drawn into the 9th district, Levin, who had represented the 12th district since 1993 and previously represented the 17th district from 1983 until 1993, sought re-election here.

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

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Sander Levin, incumbent U.S. representative for the 12th district

Withdrawn

• Allen James O'Neil, businessman

Primary results

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Don Volaric, businessman and nominee for the 12th district in 2010

Eliminated in primary

• Gregory Dildilian, woodworker

Primary results

General election

Endorsements

Labor unions

• AFL-CIO
• National Association of Letter Carriers

Organizations

• Equality Michigan
• Planned Parenthood Action Fund
• Sierra Club

Predictions

Results

District 10

Republican Candice Miller, who had represented the 10th district since 2003, sought re-election. Roll Call rated the race as "Likely Republican".

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Candice Miller, incumbent U.S. representative

Primary results

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Chuck Stadler, practical nurse and accountant

Eliminated in primary

• Jerome Quinn, attorney

Primary results

General election

Endorsements

Labor unions

• National Association of Letter Carriers

Organizations

• National Right to Life Committee
• NRA Political Victory Fund
• United States Chamber of Commerce

Predictions

Results

District 11

Main article: 2012 Michigan's 11th congressional district election, 2012 Michigan's 11th congressional district 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 that McCotter had fallen well short of the required 1,000 petition signatures required for him to qualify for the primary ballot. 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. Conceding that the signatures were indeed invalid, McCotter announced he would mount a write-in bid for his seat; however, he decided not to continue with his write-in bid on June 2 and announced his intention to retire after completing his term. McCotter suddenly resigned from his seat on July 6, leaving the 11th district unrepresented.

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. The Michigan Attorney General's office charged four McCotter aides with forgery, although McCotter was not charged with any wrongdoing.

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

As a result of Republican-leaning areas of the old 9th district being drawn into the new 11th, they changed the rating to "Leans Republican". It subsequrently changed back to "Likely Republican."

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 as the only candidate on the Republican primary ballot. The Troy Republican Club, U.S. House member Justin Amash, Tea Party groups and Ron Paul's PAC all endorsed Bentivolio. 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. 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 ran as write-in candidates.

Bentivolio was endorsed by Gov. Rick Snyder, Lt. Gov. Brian Calley, Senator Rand Paul; Congress members Candice Miller, Justin Amash, Dan Banishek and Ron Paul; and former officeholders Rick Santorum and Peter Hoekstra.

Candidates

Nominee

• Kerry Bentivolio, veteran and former teacher

Eliminated in primary

• Nancy Cassis, former state senator

Declined

• Mike Kowall, state senator
• Rocky Raczkowski, former state representative, nominee for U.S. Senate in 2002 and nominee for 9th district in 2010
• David Trott, attorney
• Paul Welday, former Oakland County Republican Party chair

Disqualified

• Thad McCotter, incumbent U.S. representative

Primary results

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Dr. Syed Taj, member of the Canton Township Board of Trustees

Eliminated in primary

• Bill Roberts, follower of Lyndon LaRouche

Declined

• David Curson, labor activist and nominee for this seat in 2012 special election

Primary results

General election

Endorsements

Organizations

• National Republican Congressional Committee "Young Guns" Program
• National Right to Life Committee
• NRA Political Victory Fund
• Republican Liberty Caucus
• Tea Party Express

Newspapers

• The Detroit News Labor unions
• AFL-CIO

Organizations

• Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee "Emerging Races" Program
• Equality Michigan
• National Organization for Women

Newspapers

• Detroit Free Press

Polling

Predictions

Results

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.

District 12

Democrat John Dingell, who had represented the district since 2003 and previously from 1955 until 1965, and previously represented the 16th district from 1965 until 2003, sought re-election here. Roll Call rated the race as "Safe Democratic".

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• John Dingell, incumbent U.S. representative for the 15th district

Eliminated in primary

• Daniel Marcin, doctorate student at the University of Michigan

Declined

• Sander Levin, incumbent U.S. representative (running in the 9th district)

Primary results

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Cynthia Kallgren, former candidate for state representative

Eliminated in primary

• Karen Jacobsen, businesswoman

Primary results

General election

Endorsements

Labor unions

• AFL-CIO
• National Association of Letter Carriers

Predictions

Results

District 13

Democrat John Conyers, who had 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 nominated Chris Sharer of Westland as their candidate. Martin Gray was the U.S. Taxpayers Party candidate. Roll Call rated the race as "Safe Democratic".

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• John Conyers, incumbent U.S. representative

Eliminated in primary

• Glenn S. Anderson, state senator
• Shanelle Jackson, state representative
• Bert Johnson, state senator
• John Goci Wayne-Westland, school board member

Disqualified

• Godfrey Dillard, attorney

Declined

• Hansen Clarke, incumbent U.S. representative (running in the 14th district)

Endorsements

Labor unions

• AFL-CIO

Polling

Primary results

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Harry Sawicki

Primary results

General election

Endorsements

Labor unions

• AFL-CIO
• National Association of Letter Carriers

Organizations

• National Organization for Women
• Planned Parenthood Action Fund
• Sierra Club
• Stonewall Democrats

Predictions

Results

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 outlying Wayne County).

Leonard Schwartz, lawyer and perennial candidate from Oak Park, who most recently challenged Sandy Levin for US House District 12 in 2010, was the Libertarian nominee. Douglas Campbell, an engineer from Ferndale, was the Green Party candidate. Roll Call rated the race as "Safe Democratic".

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

• Gary Peters, incumbent U.S. representative for the 9th district

Eliminated in primary

• Hansen Clarke, incumbent U.S. representative for the 13th district
• Bob Costello, magistrate for the 36th District Court
• Brenda Lawrence, mayor of Southfield and nominee for lieutenant governor in 2010
• Mary Waters, former state representative and candidate for the 13th district in 2008,

Declined

• John Conyers, incumbent U.S. representative (running in the 13th district)
• Geoffrey Feiger, attorney and nominee for governor in 1998
• Irv Lowenberg, Southfield city treasurer
• Tim Melton, state representative
• Buzz Thomas, state senator

Endorsements

Labor unions

• AFL-CIO
• Service Employees International Union

Polling

Primary results

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

• John Hauler, government contractor for ACE electronics

Primary results

General election

Endorsements

Labor unions

• AFL-CIO
• National Association of Letter Carriers
• Service Employees International Union

Organizations

• Equality Michigan
• National Organization for Women
• Planned Parenthood Action Fund
• Sierra Club
• Veterans' Alliance for Security and Democracy
• VoteVets

Predictions

Results

References

References

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85. (22 June 2012). "2012 UAW REGION 1-C ENDORSEMENTS".
86. "2012 NOW PACs Endorsements: All Federal Races".
87. "Michigan Sierra Club Endorsed Lawmakers".
88. (21 October 2012). "Daniel T. Kildee is The Flint Journal's choice for U.S. House 5th District". The Flint Journal.
89. Klug, Fritz. (January 17, 2012). "Jack Hoogendyk to challenge U.S. Rep. Fred Upton again for seat in Congress". [[Kalamazoo Gazette]].
90. [http://www.freep.com/article/20120801/NEWS15/120801073/nancy-cassis-kerry-bentivolio-poll-11th-congressional EPIC-MRA]
91. Klug, Fritz. (April 12, 2012). "Democrats have ex-Marine Mike O'Brien as candidate for Congress". [[Kalamazoo Gazette]].
92. Schultz, Marisa. (August 16, 2011). "Critic of tea party to challenge Upton". [[The Detroit News]].
93. Klug, Fritz. (February 21, 2012). "6th District Democrats to look at candidates to run against Congressman Fred Upton after John Waltz dropped out". [[Kalamazoo Gazette]].
94. (31 July 2012). "Southwest Michigan Politics: Jack Hoogendyk receives PAC endorsement, UAW gets behind Mike O'Brien in bids for Congress".
95. Klaft, Holly. (October 18, 2011). "Former candidate to run as Republican against U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg". [[Jackson Citizen Patriot]].
96. Joseph, Cameron. (March 13, 2012). "Democrats recruiting former GOP lawmaker to run in Michigan primary". [[The Hill (newspaper).
97. Mulcahy, John. (March 8, 2012). "Newport lawyer will run in 7th District". The Daily Telegram.
98. Wheaton, Bob. (May 4, 2012). "Rep. Tim Walberg now targeted by Jackson County Democratic Chairman Ruben Marquez". [[Jackson Citizen Patriot]].
99. (July 27, 2011). "Mark Schauer announces he won't run for Congress in 2012". Battle Creek Enquirer}}{{Dead link.
100. Wheaton, Bob. (May 4, 2012). "Joe Schwarz decides not to seek Rep. Tim Walberg's seat in Congress". [[Jackson Citizen Patriot]].
101. (24 August 2012). "NFIB Endorses Congressman Walberg".
102. (21 October 2012). "Editorial: U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg has stood firmly behind principles and should be re-elected".
103. (October 2012). "2012 UAW REGION 1-C ENDORSED CANDIDATES BY COUNTY BRANCH".
104. Machniak, Christofer. (July 13, 2011). "Latest Link: Rogers Rival Running in 2012". [[Patch Media.
105. (27 July 2012). "Voters should return Rogers to Washington".
106. "Endorsements".
107. (September 8, 2011). "Peters to challenge fellow Dem Clarke in 14th District; Conyers to run in 13th". [[The Detroit News]].
108. (June 2, 2012). "candidates".
109. (June 10, 2012). "Migreens.org -- the Green Party of Michigan's Home on the Web".
110. Schultz, Marisa. (November 7, 2011). "A.J.'s Music Cafe owner to challenge Rep. Levin for Congress". [[The Detroit News]].
111. Arboscello, Christy. (October 5, 2011). "Chesterfield Resident Readies For Congressional Race". [[Patch Media.
112. Gray, Kathleen. [http://www.freep.com/article/20120525/NEWS15/120525063 Thaddeus McCotter may not appear on election ballot]. [[Detroit Free Press]], May 26, 2012.
113. Eggert, David. (May 25, 2012). "Michigan Congressman Thaddeus McCotter short on signatures for 2012 bid to retain his seat".
114. Schultz, Marisa. [http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120529/POLITICS01/205290388/1022/POLITICS Just 244 of 2,000 McCotter signatures valid, petition review finds]{{Dead link. (June 2023)
115. Gray, Kathleen. [http://www.freep.com/article/20120529/NEWS15/120529029 All but 344 of McCotter's 1,830 submitted signatures were invalid; official calls it 'unprecedented' fraud]. [[Detroit Free Press]], May 29, 2012.
116. McCotter, Thaddeus. [http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120529/OPINION01/205290318/1022/politics McCotter: "You clean up your own mess"]{{Dead link. (July 2018)
117. Toeplitz, Shira. (June 2, 2012). "Michigan: McCotter Drops Write-In Bid and Retires". [[Roll Call]].
118. Blake, Aaron. (July 9, 2012). "Thaddeus McCotter unexpectedly resigns from Congress". The Washington Post.
119. "Politics {{pipe}} Detroit Free Press {{pipe}} freep.com".
120. "Fourth McCotter aide arraigned on election fraud charges in Livonia {{pipe}} Detroit Free Press {{pipe}} freep.com".
121. "Schuette: 'Criminal acts were committed' by McCotter aides forging election petitions {{pipe}} Detroit Free Press {{pipe}} freep.com".
122. "Politics {{pipe}} Detroit Free Press {{pipe}} freep.com".
123. Costly-special-elections-set-to-fill-out-final-weeks-of-McCotter-term
124. "Michigan: AG Will File Charges in Thaddeus McCotter Petition Scandal Thursday, Per Report {{pipe}} At the Races".
125. (October 27, 2011). "War veteran decides to run for U.S. Congress". Observer & Eccentric.
126. "Bentivolio For Congress". Bentivolio For Congress.
127. "Local GOP leaders vote to support former state senator Nancy Cassis to replace Thad McCotter {{pipe}} Detroit Free Press {{pipe}} freep.com".
128. [http://www.hometownlife.com/article/20120719/NEWS10/207190539/Another-write-runs-Republican-ticket]{{dead link. (March 2022)
129. "Kerry Bentivolio: Endorsements".
130. Eggert, David. (June 7, 2012). "Former state Sen. Nancy Cassis to run for Thad McCotter's congressional seat". Booth Newspapers.
131. (November 2, 2011). "Detroit-area doctor to seek 11th US House seat". [[Chicago Tribune]].
132. "CANDIDATES".
133. (January 27, 2012). "2012 ENDORSEMENTS".
134. [https://web.archive.org/web/20130526125712/http://elections.huffingtonpost.com/pollster/polls/fmwb-d-16139 FMWB (D)]
135. "Archived copy".
136. "2012 Michigan Official Special Primary Candidate Listing - 09/05/2012".
137. (May 3, 2012). "Dearborn businesswoman to run for Congress against Dingell". [[The Detroit News]].
138. "LP of Michigan Candidate Listing 2012". The Libertarian Party of Michigan.
139. Schultz, Marisa. (October 28, 2011). "Anderson expected to enter 13th Congressional District race". [[The Detroit News]].
140. Gray, Kathleen. (June 8, 2012). "A second signature count puts Shanelle Jackson back on ballot". [[Detroit Free Press]].
141. Toeplitz, Shira. (August 30, 2011). "Johnson Bid Sets Up Likely Race Against Conyers". [[Roll Call]].
142. Gray, Kathleen. (August 30, 2011). "Highland Park state Sen. Bert Johnson to run for Congress, likely against U.S. Rep. John Conyers". [[Detroit Free Press]].
143. Gray, Kathleen. (April 29, 2012). "New map, new election challenges for U.S. Rep. John Conyers". [[Detroit Free Press]].
144. (May 30, 2012). "STATE: Two challengers for John Conyers seat out of race". [[The News-Herald (Southgate, Michigan).
145. Hirschhorn, Dan. (August 21, 2011). "Clarke won't take on Conyers". [[Politico]].
146. [http://www.freep.com/article/20120803/NEWS15/308030127/Congressmen-John-Conyers-Gary-Peters-score-big-leads-latest-poll EPIC-MRA]
147. "candidates".
148. Oostig, Jonathan. (September 6, 2011). "Southfield Mayor Brenda Lawrence to run for Congress in Michigan's new-look 14th district". [[Booth Newspapers.
149. Snell, Robert. (January 24, 2012). "Mary Waters to run in 14th Congressional District". [[The Detroit News]].
150. Hirschhorn, Dan. (July 21, 2011). "John Conyers at mercy of redistricting". [[Politico]].
151. Schultz, Marisa. (August 17, 2011). "Southfield treasurer Lowenberg eyeing run for Congress". [[The Detroit News]].
152. Bouffard, Karen. (August 30, 2011). "Rep. Melton to resign, take job with Michelle Rhee's education reform group". [[The Detroit News]].
153. (8 February 2012). "Michigan: SEIU Backs Peters Over Clarke for Detroit Seat".
154. "2012 Endorsed All".
155. (2012-09-11). "Our Candidates {{!}} VoteVets.org".