In a bit of a surprise, retired Marine Lt. Gen. Jack Bergman won the GOP nod for Michigan’s 1st Congressional District. Bergman defeated state Sen. Tom Casperson, who was backed by retiring Rep. Dan Benishek, 39-32, with ex-state Sen. Jason Allen grabbing 28.
Bergman will face ex-state Democratic Party head Lon Johnson in November; Johnson beat 2014 nominee Jerry Cannon 72-28. Romney won this northern Michigan seat 54-45, but the area is more friendly to Democrats downballot, and Johnson is a formidable fundraiser. The Democratic group House Majority PAC has reserved almost $600,000 here for the fall.
Bergman is also likely the Republican Johnson would rather face. Casperson had support from several unions, which could have caused Team Blue some problems in November. By contrast, Bergman, relied on his network of conservative activists. Bergman loaned his campaign $270,000, which accounted for most of his budget, and it’s unclear how much more money he’s willing or able to use. Daily Kos Elections currently rates the general election as Lean Republican, but Bergman introduces some extra unpredictability into this contest.