Kerry Bentivolio

Kerry L. Bentivolio is a former American politician and educator who served as the U.S. Representative for Michigan's 11th congressional district from 2013 until 2015. A member of the Republican Party, Bentivolio entered Congress after winning a competitive election in 2012. His tenure was marked by a series of electoral challenges, including a failed bid for re-election in 2014 and subsequent attempts to regain his seat in later elections. In addition to his political career, Bentivolio has a diverse background that includes military service, teaching, and various roles in the automotive industry.

Early life and career

Kerry L. Bentivolio was born on October 6, 1951, in Detroit, Michigan. He grew up in the Detroit area, where he was raised alongside four brothers. His family has a history of military service, with his father serving in World War II and his grandfather in World War I. Bentivolio's educational journey began at Oakland Community College, where he pursued an associate degree in liberal arts from 1971 to 1983. He later transferred to Michigan State University in East Lansing, where he continued his studies and met his future wife, Karen. Bentivolio eventually earned a Bachelor of Arts in Social Science from Saint Mary's College in Michigan in 1999, followed by a master's degree in Education from Marygrove College in 2001.

In November 1968, Bentivolio enlisted in the United States Army, serving as an infantry rifleman in South Vietnam from 1970 to 1971. After a break in service, he joined the Army National Guard in Michigan, where he served for over two decades. His military training included being an MLRS/HIMARS crewmember, and he was deployed to Iraq in 2007 as a senior human resources sergeant, performing combat convoy missions. Bentivolio retired as a sergeant first class in 2008 due to a neck injury. His military service earned him several awards, including the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, and the Combat Infantryman Badge.

In his civilian life, Bentivolio has held various positions, including working as an autoworker, automotive designer, and teacher. He has experience in commercial home building and has also worked as a reindeer rancher and a Santa Claus for hire. His teaching career spanned private schools, public schools, and adult education institutions. Bentivolio also ventured into acting, appearing in low-budget films to overcome his stage fright. Notably, he acted in the movie "Lucy's Law" as a TV news reporter and in the political satire "The President Goes to Heaven."

House tenure

Bentivolio's political career began in earnest when he ran for the Michigan Senate in 2010, seeking the 15th District seat. However, he was defeated in the primary by Mike Kowall. During this campaign, he publicly acknowledged his past financial difficulties, including filing for bankruptcy in 1992 after facing challenges with a commercial building business. Despite these setbacks, Bentivolio's political aspirations continued, and in 2011, he announced his candidacy for Michigan's 11th congressional district seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Initially considered a long-shot candidate, Bentivolio's campaign gained momentum when incumbent Thaddeus McCotter failed to qualify for the primary ballot due to insufficient valid petition signatures. Following McCotter's unexpected resignation in July 2012, Bentivolio faced former state senator Nancy Cassis in the Republican primary. He won the primary election on August 7, 2012, and subsequently faced Democratic nominee Syed Taj in the general election held on November 6, 2012. Bentivolio emerged victorious in this election, marking the beginning of his term in Congress.

During his time in the House, Bentivolio served on various committees and participated in legislative activities, although specific details of his committee assignments and legislative initiatives are not provided. His tenure in Congress was relatively brief, concluding on January 3, 2015, when he was succeeded by David Trott, who defeated him in the Republican primary for the 2014 election. Bentivolio attempted to regain his seat through a write-in campaign in the general election but was unsuccessful.

Legislative focus and committees

While specific details regarding Bentivolio's legislative focus and committee assignments during his time in Congress are not available, it is known that he was involved in various issues pertinent to his constituents in Michigan's 11th congressional district. His background in education, military service, and diverse professional experiences likely influenced his perspectives on policy matters.

Following his tenure in the House, Bentivolio continued to engage in political activities, including attempts to return to Congress. After Trott announced he would not seek re-election in 2018, Bentivolio sought to reclaim his former seat but finished last in the primary. In October 2019, he announced another run for his congressional seat against Democrat Haley Stevens in the 2020 election, but again finished third in the Republican primary.

Throughout his career, Bentivolio's multifaceted background has shaped his approach to politics and public service. His experiences as a veteran, educator, and businessperson have provided him with a unique perspective on the challenges facing his constituents and the nation. Despite the challenges he faced in his electoral pursuits, Bentivolio's commitment to public service and engagement in the political process remains evident.