Michigan’s First Congressional District appears to be one of the closest races in the nation.  U.S. Rep. Dan Benishek and Gary McDowell have been crisscrossing the state’s largest U.S. House district while their respective political parties have been hitting the airwaves heavily.

Mr. Benishek came out of the tea party movement in 2010, surprising many in the Republican establishment by winning the party’s nomination over then State Senator Jason Allen.  He went on to win a 51 to 40 percent victory over Gary McDowell as Republicans enjoyed perhaps their best year ever in the Upper Peninsula.

Congressional rematches are historically difficult for the challenger; however, the National Democratic Campaign Committee has this seat as a target for resources, the only Democratic challenger on that list for Michigan.    Republican Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney is expected to defeat President Obama in the areas that cover the 1^st congressional district so that should help Mr. Benishek.

Michigan’s 3^rd Congressional District also finds the incumbent facing a serious challenge in this election.  U.S. Rep. Justin Amash and challenger Steve Pestka appear to be in a dead heat according to recent polling in the district.  According to a poll conducted for WZZM 13, WDIV and the Detroit News, challenger Steve Pestka holds a 34.9 to 33.8 percent edge.  Pestka’s 1.1 point advantage is within the 4.9 percent margin of error.  28 percent of the respondents were “undecided.”  What may be troubling for Republicans in the 3^rd Congressional District is the poll also found President Obama holds a narrow lead over Republican challenger Mitt Romney 44.1 to 41.5 percent with 9 percent undecided. (President Obama narrowly defeated John McCain in the 3^rd Congressional District in the 2008 election.)

In Michigan’s 11^th Congressional District, Republicans are likely to hold this seat on November 6.

There was some early national interest by the Democratic Congressional Committee in the seat when tea party candidate Kerry Bentivolio became the de facto Republican candidate; however, that interest appears to be fading.    The committee has not made the district a top target for resources as it hinted when they named Mr. Syed Taj, a Canton Township trustee, one of its “red to blue” candidates.

In a poll released earlier this week by Practical Political Consulting, showed Mr. Taj behind Mr. Bentivolio 48.5 to 51.5 percent, while he is polling better than typical Democratic candidates in the district, it may not be enough to carry the race given the Republican base in the district.