Dan Benishek
Dan Benishek | |
---|---|
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Michigan's 1st district | |
In office January 3, 2011 – January 3, 2017 | |
Preceded by | Bart Stupak |
Succeeded by | Jack Bergman |
Personal details | |
Born | Daniel Joseph Benishek April 20, 1952 Iron River, Michigan, U.S. |
Died | October 15, 2021 | (aged 69)
Political party | Republican |
Spouse | Judy Benishek |
Children | 5 |
Relatives | Tony Kovaleski (cousin) |
Education | University of Michigan (BS) Wayne State University (MD) |
Daniel Joseph Benishek (April 20, 1952 – October 15, 2021)[1] was an American physician and politician who served three terms as the U.S. representative for Michigan's 1st congressional district from 2011 to 2017.[2] He was a member of the Republican Party.
Early life and education
Benishek was born in Iron River, Michigan, in 1952,[3] the son of Helen (née Kovaleski) and Joseph Benishek. Three of his paternal great-grandparents were Bohemian (Czech) immigrants, while his maternal grandparents were Polish immigrants.[4] His father was killed in local iron mines in 1957, so Benishek was raised by his widowed mother and extended family. He worked in the family business, the Iron River Hotel, until he went to college. He graduated from the University of Michigan in 1974 with a Bachelor of Science in medicine.[5] From there, he graduated from Wayne State University School of Medicine in 1978.
Early career
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Prior to his election to Congress, he was a
U.S. House of Representatives
Elections
2010
Benishek formally announced his candidacy for Congress on March 16, 2010, running against incumbent
On November 2, 2010, in the general election, Dan Benishek defeated Democratic nominee State Representative
2012
Benishek faced re-election against McDowell in the 2012 election cycle. A September 20, 2012 Public Policy Polling poll showed the race as a statistical dead heat, with McDowell leading Benishek 44% to 42%.[15] Benishek was re-elected by a margin of 2,297 votes, less than 1% of the total votes cast.[16] Benishek endorsed Herman Cain in the 2012 Republican presidential primary.[17]
2014
Benishek's opponent for the 2014 midterm elections was Democratic nominee Jerry Cannon.[18] In October 2014, the Rothenberg Political Report moved the district from one that "tilts Republican" to "Republican favored."[19] Benishek won reelection with 52% of the vote, which was the closest race for a victorious Republican incumbent in 2014.[20]
2016
After temporarily considering running for a fourth term, Benishek decided not to seek re-election in 2016; he endorsed Republican State Sen. Tom Casperson as his successor.[21]
Committee assignments
- Committee on Natural Resources
- Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources
- Subcommittee on Indian and Alaska Native Affairs
- Committee on Veterans' Affairs
Legislation sponsored
On January 4, 2013, Benishek introduced H.R. 163, a bill identical to the
On May 21, 2013, Benishek introduced the
Political positions
Benishek favored reduced government spending and a smaller government, and was
Personal life and death
Benishek lived with his wife, Judy, in Iron County. They had five children.[39] Investigative journalist Tony Kovaleski is his cousin.[40] Benishek suddenly died on October 15, 2021, at the age of 69 from heart related issues.[41]
Electoral history
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Dan Benishek | 27,077 | 38.14 | |
Republican | Jason Allen | 27,062 | 38.12 | |
Republican | Tom Stillings | 5,418 | 7.63 | |
Republican | Linda Goldthorpe | 4,980 | 7.01 | |
Republican | Don Hooper | 3,969 | 5.59 | |
Republican | Patrick Donlon | 2,490 | 3.51 | |
Total votes | 70,996 | 100.00 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Dan Benishek | 120,523 | 51.94 | |
Democratic | Gary McDowell | 94,824 | 40.87 | |
Independent
|
Glenn Wilson | 7,847 | 3.38 | |
U.S. Taxpayers
|
Patrick Lambert | 4,200 | 1.81 | |
Libertarian | Keith Shelton | 2,571 | 1.11 | |
Green
|
Ellis Boal | 2,072 | 0.89 | |
Total votes | 232,037 | 100.00 |
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 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Dan Benishek (incumbent) | 130,414 | 52.1 | |
Democratic | Jerry Cannon | 113,263 | 45.3 | |
Libertarian | Loel Gnadt | 3,823 | 1.5 | |
Green
|
Ellis Boal | 2,631 | 1.1 | |
Total votes | 250,131 | 100.0 | ||
Republican hold |
See also
References
- ^ Bunch, Kendall (October 16, 2021). "Former U.S. Rep. Dan Benishek dies at age 69". Upper Michigan's Source. Negaunee, Michigan: WLUC-TV. Retrieved October 16, 2021.
- ^ "CRYSTAL-FALLS, Michigan (MI) Political Contributions by Individuals – Donations to Congress, local, or national races, Republican or Democrat and other candidates". City-data.com. Retrieved November 11, 2013.
- ^ Reichard, John (November 3, 2010). "112th Congress: Dan Benishek, R-Mich. (1st District)". Congressional Quarterly. Retrieved November 7, 2010.[permanent dead link]
- Rootsweb. Retrieved November 11, 2013.
- ^ University of Michigan Alumni Serving in Congress Archived April 17, 2016, at the Wayback Machine, UM Government relations.
- ^ a b Hoffman, Lisa (March 16, 2010). "Benishek runs for Congress". Iron Mountain Daily News. Archived from the original on July 20, 2011. Retrieved March 31, 2011.
- ^ Burke, Melissa Nann. "Former U.S. Rep. Benishek, who represented northern Michigan and U.P., has died at 69". The Detroit News. Retrieved October 17, 2021.
- National Public Radio. Retrieved March 30, 2010.
- ^ Farnam, T.W. (March 23, 2010). "Stupak Challenger Gains Support". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved March 31, 2011.
- ^ McCain, Robert Stacy (March 21, 2010). "Dan Benishek Just Became the Most Popular Republican in America". The American Spectator. Archived from the original on March 24, 2010. Retrieved March 30, 2010.
- ^ Davey, Monica (April 9, 2010). "Under Fire for Abortion Deal, Stupak to Retire". The New York Times. Retrieved April 26, 2010.
- ^ "Stupak to announce retirement". CNN. April 9, 2010. Retrieved April 26, 2010.
- ^ Election results Michigan Government
- ^ "Michigan Election Results". The New York Times.
- ^ "Michigan 1st Congressional District Survey Results" (PDF). Real Clear Politics. Retrieved July 31, 2013.
- ^ McGillivary, Brian (November 7, 2012). "Benishek won by less than 1 percent". Traverse City Record Eagle. Archived from the original on July 31, 2013. Retrieved July 31, 2013.
- ^ Mak, Tim (November 5, 2011). "Herman Cain lies low, snags endorsement". Politico. Retrieved November 7, 2011.
- ^ "Retired general, Gitmo commander Jerry Cannon to challenge Dan Benishek for U.S. House seat in 2014". August 6, 2013. Retrieved June 15, 2017.
- ^ Currier, Craig (October 20, 2014). "Benishek doubles Cannon's campaign bankroll". Petoskey News. Retrieved October 20, 2014.
- ^ "Don't Call 2014 an Anti-Incumbent Election". November 25, 2014.
- ^ Spangler, Todd (January 14, 2016). "U.S. Rep. Benishek endorses Casperson for seat". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved April 15, 2016.
- ^ "CBO – S. 23". United States Congress. March 25, 2013. Retrieved March 3, 2014.
- ^ Thompson, Carol (March 1, 2014). "Sleeping Bear Dunes legislation moves forward". Traverse City Record-Eagle. Archived from the original on March 4, 2014. Retrieved March 4, 2014.
- ^ a b c "H.R. 2072 – Summary". United States Congress. Retrieved May 27, 2014.
- ^ a b Katz, Eric (August 20, 2013). "Prohibiting VA Senior Exec Bonuses for 5 Years Would Save $18 Million". Government Executive. Retrieved May 27, 2014.
- ^ CONTRIBUTIONS NOW POURING IN FOR STUPAK'S OPPONENT Archived March 25, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Jonathan Oosting (October 22, 2012). "Rep. Benishek endorsed by NRA, criticized over climate change in Northern Michigan race". mlive.com. Archived from the original on January 23, 2022. Retrieved July 21, 2023.
- ^ VanDyke, Todd (September 26, 2014). "The Keweenaw Report". Archived from the original on April 23, 2016. Retrieved April 15, 2016.
- ^ Rothenberg, Stu. "Is Dan Benishek Waffling on Term Limits?". Roll Call. Retrieved September 11, 2012.
- ^ Spangler, Todd (March 24, 2015). "Despite term-limit pledge, Benishek to seek re-election". Detroit Free Press.
- ^ "Dan Benishek to Retire in 2016 (Updated)". Roll Call. September 15, 2015. Retrieved June 15, 2017.
- ^ "Benishek 2014". danbenishekforcongress.com. Retrieved June 15, 2017.
- ^ "Dan Benishek on Abortion". On the Issues. Retrieved November 11, 2013.
- ^ "Solid Principles Podcast Episode 29". Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved June 15, 2017.
- ^ Eilperin, Juliet (July 24, 2012). "Environmentalists target 5 Republicans who question humans' impact on climate". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 21, 2012.
- ^ "Benishek questioned on global warming, climate change". October 7, 2014. Retrieved October 12, 2014.
- ^ "Northern Michigan candidate debates and forums". October 21, 2014. Retrieved October 22, 2014.
- ^ "Benishek 2014". danbenishekforcongress.com. Retrieved June 15, 2017.
- ^ Kovaleski, Tony [@TonyKovaleski] (October 17, 2021). "Life is so very special! A sad weekend for my family as we lost my beloved cousin Daniel— "Dr. Dan" to family and friends! I miss you cousin!" (Tweet). Retrieved July 26, 2023 – via Twitter.
- ^ "Former U.S. Rep. Benishek, who represented northern Michigan and U.P., has died at 69".
- Michigan Department of State. October 6, 2010. Archived from the originalon June 29, 2012. Retrieved January 5, 2014.
- Michigan Department of State. March 2, 2011. Archived from the originalon January 29, 2014. Retrieved January 3, 2014.
- ^ "2012 Michigan House Results". Politico.
- ^ "2014 Michigan Official General Election Results - 11/04/2014".
Further reading
- Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
- Financial information (federal office) at the Federal Election Commission
- Legislation sponsored at the Library of Congress
- Profile at Vote Smart