Politics & Government

Birmingham Election Guide 2012

Check out the candidates, incumbents and issues that will be affecting Birmingham and Oakland County.

As we look ahead to November’s elections, Birmingham Patch is devoted to bring you the information you need about every race in town. Here are five races and local candidates that we know you're already talking about:

Local

Birmingham School Board elections: Two spots on the will be coming up this November, with trustees Geri Rinschler's and Michael Fenberg's four-year terms coming to a close in 2012. No petitions for re-election have yet been filed, nor have any challengers stepped forward.

Oakland County

L. Brooks Patterson: Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson is seeking . The 73-year-old Republican will face .

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There are two countywide proposals on the ballot in August:

  1. The Oakland County Art Institute Authority Millage would "allow for continuing support of art institute services for the students, residents visitors of Oakland County," according to the Oakland County website. The Detroit Institute of Arts is seeking a 10-year, 0.2 mill regional levy to help fund operations. An Arts Institute Authority was established to monitor use of the Oakland County funds. The tax is similar in concept to a 0.1-mill levy voters in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties approved in 2008 for the Detroit Zoo, The Detroit News reports. It would cost the owner of a $200,000 home about $20 per year and is expected to raise $23 million: $11 million from Oakland; $9 million from Wayne and $3 million from Macomb counties.
  2. The Oakland County public transportation millage renewal would "allow continued support to the Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART) for a public transportation system serving the elderly, disabled, and general public of Oakland County," according to the Oakland County website. It is estimated that .59 mills would raise approximately $16 million when levied in 2012.

State

Michigan House of Representatives - 40th District

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Birmingham Republican state Rep. Chuck Moss' seat will be open thanks to term limits.

  • David Potts (R-Birmingham), an Oakland County Commissioner and Birmingham-based attorney, is . Potts faces a crowded Republican primary this August, with three other newcomers also vying for the Republican nomination.
  • Robert Lawrence, a businessman and member of the Birmingham Board of Education, is also this fall.
  • Also running: and .

National

President Barack Obama takes on Mitt Romney: Romney, the GOP's presumptive candidate, is also . He will be facing Obama, who recently spent time at a .

Correction: The correct spelling of the school board member is Michael Fenberg.


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