The 2010 election year merry-go-round continued this week as Oxford Township Trustee Joe Bunting announced he’s switching races.
Instead of running for the 46th District state representative seat being vacated by Jim Marleau (R-Lake Orion), the Oxford resident decided he’s going to run for the District #1 seat on the Oakland County Board of Commissioners.
The county seat’s currently occupied by Brad Jacobsen (R-Oxford), who announced in August that he’s running for Marleau’s spot in the state House. He will not seek re-election as a county commissioner, a position he’s held since 2006.
Jacobsen’s decision motivated Bunting, who publicly announced his state rep. candidacy back in April, to set his sights on Pontiac instead of Lansing.
‘I thought to myself, it does not make sense, especially in these tough economic times, having two strong candidates battle for one position,? said Bunting in a statement released on Monday. ‘I believe Brad Jacobsen will be an excellent candidate for the 46th District.?
A Birmingham police officer for 11 years, Bunting was elected to the township board in November 2008. He serves as chairman of Oxford/Addison Youth Assistance’s Mentor Plus Program.
As he makes his run for county commissioner, Bunting said he’s ‘especially honored? to have the endorsement of Oakland County Undersheriff Mike McCabe, who resides in Oxford Township.
District #1 encompasses the townships of Oxford, Addison, Brandon, Groveland and two precincts in Independence. It also includes the villages of Oxford, Leonard and Ortonville.