GOP Rep. Bezotte disqualified from ballot after surprise entry into race, vows to fight decision in court

Lansing — Michigan state Rep. Bob Bezotte has been disqualified from the Republican primary ballot in his efforts to seek re-election to the state House.

The disqualification, listed in online Livingston County candidate filing records, comes after a complaint was filed last month challenging Bezotte's affidavit of identify, arguing it misstated his address.

Bezotte listed his home as the Howell address where his wife lives, but he had been absent from the home for more than 100 days prior to the filing deadline and "spent much of the past five months in either Arizona or in Illinois," a complaint filed by attorney and 50th House District resident Dan Wholihan said.

Wholihan is married to one of the 50th House District Republican candidates, Kristina Lyke.

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Livingston County Clerk Elizabeth Hundley told Bezotte in a Friday letter that "based upon all of the evidence provided, the Livingston County Clerk has concluded that Mr. Bezotte's recitation of his residential address on the affidavit of identity was false.

"He did not provide any evidence that the stated residential address was his actual residential address in light of the challenge, did not state what his actual residential address is, and did not provide any evidence that his actual residential address is within the electoral district," Hundley wrote.

Bezotte in a statement Monday said he intends to reverse his disqualification by challenging Hundley's decision in court.

Bezotte had argued earlier this month in a response to the clerk that he should not be disqualified because a separate address where he actually lives and which is still within the 50th House District is listed elsewhere on the affidavit of identity, "even if not in the right section of the form."

"This decision is an obvious misreading of both the text and the spirit of the law that mistakenly takes away options from the voters I serve," Bezotte said Monday. "It must be fixed."

Bezotte, who was accused of abuse by his wife in divorce filings last year, drew further scrutiny last month when he reversed course on plans to not seek re-election. When he filed for the race last month, he had already endorsed two other candidates: Lyke and Jason Woolford.

Bezotte has denied the abuse allegations from his wife, but told the News last month that he'd been dealing with a "devastating family crisis" when explaining his decision to not seek re-election, only to reverse course months later.

"I've worked hard for my district, and I believe that I'm the best candidate to represent the 50th District moving forward," Bezotte said.

Woolford, who said he had been encouraged to run by Bezotte, expressed frustration last month with the Howell Republican's decision to file. Woolford said he was concerned for Bezotte, calling the former Livingston County sheriff's actions "not normal behavior."

eleblanc@detroitnews.com