Michigan Chamber endorses GOP Rep. Bentivolio’s primary foe

The Michigan Chamber of Commerce is throwing its support behind businessman Dave Trott (R) in his race against Rep. Kerry Bentivolio (R-Mich.).

{mosads}”Dave possesses the business experience, leadership skills and vision needed to build Michigan and America’s economic competitiveness, create jobs and move our country forward,” Michigan Chamber President and CEO Rich Studley said in a Monday afternoon statement.

The endorsement is the latest sign that Trott has the GOP establishment’s backing in the race. Bentivolio won his seat in 2012 only after Rep. Thad McCotter (R-Mich.) failed to qualify for the ballot by defeating a write-in GOP candidate in the primary, and has done little to shore up his standing since winning his seat.

Trott has been outraising Bentivolio by a wide margin, and had $700,000 in the bank at the end of 2013 compared to Bentivolio’s $130,000. Neither has released his first quarter fundraising numbers.

Democrats are hopeful they can compete for the Republican-leaning seat this fall.