GOP race to replace McCotter warms up

The campaigns are heating up with the August primary just around the corner.

On Monday, Kerry Bentivolio launched his first ad in his campaign for the GOP nomination in the 11th Congressional District. Bentivolio will be the only Republican on the ballot in August after U.S. Rep. Thaddeus McCotter’s campaign flubbed collecting enough signatures to get him on the ballot.

Bentivolio’s ad started airing Monday on cable channels in the 11th District. His campaign spent $10,000 for spots this week and anticipates more buys to keep the ad on the air next week, too.

Watch the “Protect the American Dream” ad here.

Running against Bentivolio is former state Sen. Nancy Cassis. She’s doing a write-in campaign for the GOP nomination after winning the backing of GOP leaders in Oakland and Wayne counties.

She weighed in Monday on the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in the Arizona immigration case:

“My opponent in this race, like President Obama, seeks to weaken our ability to control illegal immigration and favors allowing our borders to become open and insecure,” Cassis said in a statement. “Kerry Bentivolio is on the record as favoring the elimination of border controls. He has also stated that he opposes state initiatives, like Arizona’s, to control illegal immigration.  I support Arizona and Gov. (Jan)  Brewer’s attempts as a state on the frontline of illegal immigration to do all that is in their power to halt the flood of people crossing the border illegally.”

She went on to say that if elected to Congress, she’ll make sure efforts that grant citizenship are simple and thorough and reward those who come here legally.

On the Democratic side of the battle for the 11th District, Dr. Syed Taj, an internist and Canton Township trustee, is facing Bill Roberts, a Lyndon LaRouche activist from Redford.