John Ramsey, father of JonBenet, considering run for 105th (Michigan House of reps)

CHARLEVOIX - Charlevoix resident John Ramsey, the father of slain child beauty queen JonBenét Ramsey, has formed a committee to explore running for the 105th state House district, which includes Charlevoix County.

Ramsey's wife Patsy, reached at their home in Charlevoix, said her husband was "definitely considering" a run for the seat currently held by term-limited Rep. Ken Bradstreet, R-Gaylord. But she stopped short of confirming that he would run.

"He's looking at the issues and determining whether he could contribute," she said.

The 105th House district includes Charlevoix, Otsego and Antrim counties and all of Cheboygan County except Koehler and Tuscarora townships.

John Haggard, chair of the Charlevoix Republican Party, said today that if Ramsey decides to run, he will support him "100 percent."

"He's known locally in the area, and as a business person I want to put someone who has got business sense in Lansing," said Haggard, owner of Haggard's Plumbing and Heating.

The Ramseys currently own a home on Elm Street in Charlevoix. They have owned vacation homes in Charlevoix in the past, one on Belvedere and one on Eaton Court.

Brian Mills, chief of staff for Bradstreet, was quoted in today's Denver Post as saying Ramsey had formed "The Friends to Elect John Ramsey Committee" in January and had contacted Bradstreet's office to let them know he was running.

The committee formation allows Ramsey to collect funds to support his campaign, although he hasn't officially filed as a candidate. The deadline to file a candidacy is May 11. The election is in November.

JonBenét's strangled body was found in the basement of the family's Boulder home on Dec. 26, 1996.

Authorities say she may have been sexually assaulted. No charges have been filed in JonBenét's death.

Ramsey's Opponent looks pretty good. Lots of experience; an attorney--assistant prosecutor; pro-life, pro-2nd Amendment.

Cheboygan News

Attorney eyes House seat

By ERICA KOLASKI

Tribune Staff Writer

GRANT TOWNSHIP - County attorney Kevin Elsenheimer is traveling to Cheboygan County next week in hopes of garnering support for his future run for a seat in the state House of Representatives.

Elsenheimer is expected to be a candidate in the Republican primary for the 105th House District Seat, currently held by Rep. Ken Bradstreet, R-Gaylord. The 105th District covers all of Otsego, Antrim, and Charlevoix counties and most of Cheboygan County.

Elsenheimer is scheduled to speak to the Michigan Townships Association and members of the community at 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the Grant Township Hall.

A resident of Bellaire, Elsenheimer is an attorney who specializes in the representation of municipalities. He currently serves as civil counsel to Cheboygan and Otsego counties and more than two dozen other municipalities.

Elsenheimer has been active in the past year with varying legal issues in Cheboygan County, including his role as legal counsel for the Cheboygan County Board of Commissioners during the toughman/toughwoman dispute.

The issue has just recently been resolved, and the Cheboygan County Fair Board is now a county-run entity.

Elsenheimer is a former member of the Northwest Michigan Council of Governments Workforce Development Board, a member of the Antrim County Special Elections Board and founder of the Antrim County Farm Market.

He has also served on the Bellaire School Board as well as assistant prosecutor in Antrim County.

According to the Committee to Elect Kevin Elsenheimer, he is pro-life and an avid hunter who "supports our firearm heritage."

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