Johnson makes case for Michigan congressional bid

IRONWOOD — Democrat candidate Lon Johnson visited Ironwood Thursday during a tour of the western Upper Peninsula as part of his campaign to replace Dan Benishek, R-Crystal Falls, representing Michigan’s First Congressional District in Congress.

“I think that we’ve got a real shot here, this is an open seat … it’s a rare occurrence in politics,” Johnson said.

The district — which encompasses 32 counties and 40 percent of the land mass of the state — is 24,000 square miles and is one of the largest congressional districts east of the Mississippi.

Johnson is running against retired Kalkaska Count...