Two candidates announce for Bezotte's seat in State House

LIVINGSTON COUNTY — Two candidates have filed to run for a State House seat in Livingston County.

Republican Jason Woolford, of Marion Township, and Democrat Austin Breuer, of Howell Township, are both running for the 50th District for a two-year term.

The seat is currently occupied by State Rep. Bob Bezotte, R-Marion Township. According to a news release from Woolford, Bezotte is not seeking re-election and is endorsing Woolford.

Messages seeking comment were left for Bezotte on Monday. It's been a tense couple of months for the representative, whose wife alleged physical and emotional abuse in divorce documents filed in December in 44th Circuit Court.

Bezotte, a retired longtime sheriff and former county commissioner, denied the allegation in his response. He successfully ran for state office in 2020, and was re-elected in 2022.

The 50th District covers Howell, Fowlerville and a smattering of townships, including Cohoctah, Conway, Deerfield, Handy, Hartland, Howell, Iosco, Marion, Oceola, Unadilla and parts of southern Tyrone Township and Putnam Township.

Woolford, 51, is a veteran, businessman and nonprofit organization president, according to a release.

“I believe we need to re-employ and re-engage the fundamentals that made this country great into Michigan,” Woolford wrote. “I am a versatile candidate with a background in many areas that face the good people of the 50th District and I plan to use my experience to better our community."

After an honorable discharge from the U.S. Marine Corps, Woolford worked in sales and marketing in southern California, importing, exporting, and distributing marble and granite, according to his campaign website.

After returning to Michigan, he enrolled in Bible college. He holds a master's degree in divinity. In 2010, he was appointed president of Mission Cry/Christian Resources International.

"Traveling the globe, holding leadership seminars, and appearing on television programs has shaped him as an author and mentor," according to his website.

Woolford was the Republican nominee for the 48th District in 2022, but was defeated by Rep. Jennifer Conlin, D-Ann Arbor.

Breuer, 27, said his top issues are healthcare, transportation and using tax dollars more efficiently.

“I was born between the millennial generation and Gen Z, so I can relate to both generations while respecting members of the earlier generations,” he wrote in a release.

“The younger generations have a lot at stake in the future of the state of Michigan, and as someone who is a reasonable person who desires to represent the best interests of the people, I feel as though I am uniquely suited to be a force for positive change in Lansing."

A graduate of Howell High School, Breuer graduated with honors from Lansing Community College and is pursuing a bachelor's degree in history with a minor in public law and government from Eastern Michigan University. He'll graduate this spring. He works as a manager at Jonna's Market.

Combatting problems with medical insurance and addressing climate change are among his concerns. He also supports a limited assault weapons ban, with an exception for gun ranges; fingerprint locks on new guns; better background checks; and cracking down on the illegal sale and transfer of guns, as well as voluntary gun-buyback programs.

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Supporting veterans and raising pay for law enforcement officers are also among his goals.

“Government should not dictate the lives of its citizens for them, but rather, it should protect the most vulnerable and provide for equality in the workplace, in healthcare, in education, and in opportunity for all, without infringing on the rights of others."

— Contact reporter Jennifer Eberbach at jeberbach@livingstondaily.com. 

This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: Two candidates announce for Bezotte's seat in State House