PONTIAC -- Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson wants political parties use a lottery to winnow the number of candidates running to serve the last two months of former U.S. Rep. Thaddeus McCotter's term.
If only one Democrat and one Republican run, an expensive Sept. 5 special primary election could be avoided.
Democrats have only one candidate, Dave Curson of Belleville. But five Republicans have filed to run: Kerry Bentivolio of Milford, Nancy Cassis of Novi and Livonia residents Steve King, Kenneth Crider and Carolyn Kavanagh.
Holding the 11th District special primary election could cost local governments in Oakland and Wayne counties $650,000.
Patterson said in a Tuesday release that it's "ridiculous" to spend so much money to fill the seat for the short period.
McCotter unexpectedly resigned on July 6.