State Rep. Bezotte, R-Marion Township, is back on the ballot.
Bezotte was disqualified after the husband of Kristina Lyke — one of his three challengers in the Aug. 6 primary — challenged his affidavit of identity; he said he learned this afternoon that Livingston Livingston County Clerk Betsy Hundley has re-instated him to the August primary ballot.
Bezotte — a third-term House member who announced several months ago that he was retiring from the Legislature, and who endorsed not one, but two Republican candidates to replace him — changed his mind and decided to run again for his seat. Bezotte’s decision set off a political firestorm among local Republicans. (CLICK HERE for more)
Bezotte announced his retirement from the Legislature in January as he was in the midst of a divorce in which his wife alleged mental and physical abuse, allegations that Bezotte denies.
“It’s stressful enough to go through a family situation that is a tragedy for me and my family and then to have this happen, it just adds to the stress level, but I wanted to thank Betsy for her reconsideration and doing the right thing,” Bezotte told MIRS.
“… I kind of understand now how President Trump feels – your opponent is trying to get you kicked off on a technicality and misleading the public. That is more offensive.”
Lyke’s husband, Dan Wholihan — current chair of Michigan GOP’s 7th District and former chair of the Livingston County Republican Party — sent a letter to the clerk’s office questioning Bezotte’s residence.
Bezotte said he filed an affidavit claiming his intention was to stay in the marital home, which he left after returning from Arizona.
“I’ve been on enough domestic violence (calls) that I know how they can go south so quick so when I came home from Arizona and the locks were changed, I wasn’t going to kick the door or have an issue,” Bezotte said. “… There was never any attempt to defraud or mislead voters. I’m in the same district. I’m in the same precinct.
“The intent of the law is what prevailed here,” he added.
Bezotte has resided at his daughter’s home, which is located about 3 miles from his marital home, after his wife filed for divorce.
On the advice of his attorney, Bezotte listed the marital home address as his residence on the AOI and his daughter’s home as his mailing address because it has always been his intention to stay in the marital home, where he pays the bills, he said.
There are now four candidates in the Republican primary for the 50th state House District: Bezotte, Lyke, Jason Woolford, and Domenic Restuccia. The winner will face Democrat Austin Breuer in November.
