NEPOTISM CHALLENGE

West Oakland politicos have noted with a touch of irony the musical chairs Novi Republican political power couple Hugh and Kathy Crawford have long played. First he was a Novi city council member, then a county commissioner before becoming a state House rep – and she filled his county commission seat. When Hugh was term limited in the state House, she ran and got it. He returned to the county commission. And round and round. Now word is, according to a recent MIRS (Michigan Information & Research Service) missive, tea party newbie Chase Turner is grabbing the attention of far-right conservatives in Kathy’s quest for a third term, connecting with Speaker of the House Tom Leonard (R-DeWitt) and posting photos with county exec L. Brooks Patterson. MIRS doesn’t think Turner will win, but Turner is making Kathy Crawford sweat.