Bentivolio: 'It Looks Like Mr. B is Going to Washington'

has declared victory in the Republican race for Michigan's 11th District seat.

Bentivolio has a 65 percent to 35 percent lead with 70 percent of precincts reporting, according to unofficial results reported by the Detroit Free Press.

Opponent has not conceded. She said she is waiting for all of the tabulations to come in before making a statement, which will likely be sometime Wednesday morning. 

The winner will face the in the November election.

Bentivolio gave an acceptance speech to a group of supporters gathered at the in Novi Tuesday night around 11 p.m.

Shouts of "Kerry! Kerry!" welcomed him to the stage as "Eye of the Tiger" played.

"We did it!" Bentivolio said. "You did it!"

Cheers broke out after he accepted the candidacy.

"It looks like Mr. B is going to Washington," he said.

Wayne resident William Rushlow said he was very happy with the victory, even though he is no longer in the . He volunteered for the Bentivolio campaign.

"I am happy that there is going be somebody in Washington who is going to represent me, the working man, the common man, who will fight for my interests instead of special interests or the money interests," Rushlow said. "I feel like today I won."

Earlier in the night, Casiss gathered with supporters in the clubhouse of in Novi.

She said that she always knew that having a write-in campaign was a rough road to hoe, but that she is still waiting to see what happens.

"Honestly, we know that had I been on the ballot, I would have overwhelmingly won," Cassis said around 9 p.m. before Bentivolio claimed victory.

Results are still being calculated since the write-in votes have to be manually counted, but Bentivolio's campaign is calling the primary a victory. 

"I want to commend Nancy Cassis on a hard-fought race and ask for her support," Bentivolio said.

For more elections results, as well profiles of the winners, visit Michigan August Primary 2012.