GOING 40

The race to fill the local 40th District state House seat, currently occupied by Rep. Mike McCready, who is term-limited, is currently a picture of two different parties. On the Republican side, there’s limited buzz, with four confirmed candidates before the filing deadline when Downtown went to press, Mike Banerian, Malissa Bossardet, Paul Taros and Joe Zane, and David Wolkinson is also a likely candidate. Word is that Bloomfield Township trustee Michael Schostak is not going to run. Taros, an accountant, was waiting until after tax season to get out on the campaign trail, although he has received almost $50,000 so far in contributions – in loans from himself. Bossardet has raised $26,715 as of January 31, having loaned herself $25,000, and given the campaign a total of $33,000 in in-kind donations. Word is she is sending out postcards and going door-to-door. Zane ended the year with almost $14,000, $10,000 of which is a loan from him. Banerian looks like the only one actually raising some dough – $33,315. The two Democrats, Nicole Bedi and Mari Manoogian, aren’t letting grass grow under their feet in this typically Republican district, actively raising money and pressing the flesh. Bedi, who ran – and lost – to McCready in 2016, has been seen out at events, and raised $21,000 as of end-of-year 2017. Manoogian had an even more successful 2017, taking in about $42,700.