Bezotte restored to ballot after 'critical information' provided

LIVINGSTON COUNTY — State Rep. Bob Bezotte will be reinstated to the ballot for the 50th District in August after Livingston County Clerk Elizabeth Hundley granted a request to reconsider his disqualification.

In a letter addressed to Bezotte and his lawyer, Michael Pattwell, Hundley said an affidavit from Bezotte dated May 22 "included critical information not previously provided" and confirmed the residential address listed on his Affidavit of Identity.

More: Bezotte argues he always intended to return home in appeal

“His name will be certified to the Livingston County Board of Election Commissioners," Hundley wrote.

Bezotte was disqualified after local attorney Dan Wholihan — who is married to one of Bezotte’s primary opponents Kristina Lyke — filed a complaint alongside a signed affidavit from Bezotte's estranged wife Shelia, alleging Bezotte falsified his home address.

On the AOI, he listed the home he owns with his wife as his residence, despite not living there since the end of December, according to Shelia. His mailing address was listed as his daughter’s home, which is still within the 50th District.

Bezotte is currently serving his second term. Following a divorce filing from his wife that alleged physical and emotional abuse, Bezotte said he wouldn't run again in 2024, endorsing two other Republican candidates — Jason Woolford and Lyke. Bezotte has denied the allegations.

In April, shortly before the filing deadline, he announced he would run after all.

In his appeal letter to Hundley, Pattwell cited online property records, the bank mortgage, and Bezotte’s credit union paperwork.

“There is no dispute that (Bezotte) either resides at his long-term residence or, as alleged by Mr. Wholihan, at his daughter’s home a few miles away,” Pattwell wrote.

Pattwell argued Bezotte has maintained his intention to return to the marital home throughout divorce proceedings, and still keeps “nearly all of his personal effects" there. His personal documents — like his driver’s license, registration, insurance and voter registration — are still connected to the home, Pattwell said.

In her affidavit, Shelia said she feared Bezotte's intention to re-enter the home.

"I'm glad this distraction is over and we can all get back to talking about the issues that really matter to the people of this community,” Bezotte wrote in an emailed statement Wednesday. “The people I represent don't want arguments over paperwork and competing legal maneuvers — they want solutions to the high cost of living and violent crime. That's what I'm fighting for every day."

Republican Dominic Restuccia and Democrat Austin Breuer are also running for the seat.

— Contact reporter Tess Ware at tware@livingstondaily.com.

This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: Bezotte restored to ballot after 'critical information' provided