TRAVERSE CITY, MI (AP)-- Retiring Congressman Dan Benishek is endorsing Republican state Sen. Tom Casperson of Escanaba to succeed him.
Benishek threw his support behind Casperson on Thursday morning, just as former state Sen. Jason Allen of Traverse City was announcing his candidacy for the GOP nomination.
Allen and Casperson are running in Michigan's 1st Congressional district, which includes all the Upper Peninsula and the northern section of the Lower Peninsula.
Benishek defeated Allen by 15 votes in the Republican primary for the seat in 2010.
He plans to retire after completing his third term early next year.
Benishek praised Casperson's work as a legislator and a small business owner and said he would support policies to boost the region's economy.
