Michigan's 1st Congressional District is a political battleground
It would be a big prize for Republicans as they seek control of Congress, just two years after Barack Obama carried many Democrats as he won the presidency.Everyone in politics knows Up North is mostly conservative, anti-abortion and pro-gun. But it's been a moderate, anti-abortion Democrat, Bart Stupak, who had held the seat with little threat for nine terms.
With Stupak retiring and high expectations for Republicans, the 1st still is no slam-dunk for the GOP. Dan Benishek, a Crystal Falls surgeon and political newcomer, beat state Sen. Jason Allen by a 15-vote margin in the primary and, polls showed, took a big early lead that's shrinking.
He is against government spending and the Democrats' health care reform, and calls for lower taxes and less regulation. Democrat Gary McDowell, a state representative and hay farmer from Rudyard, has characterized his opponent as out of touch with the district and intent on privatizing Social Security and eliminating rules protecting the Great Lakes.
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