(Allegan, MI - WHTC News) - If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.
Bill Baillargeon is apparently taking that old cliché to heart. For the second time in three years, he will attempt to win in an election a court seat that he had been appointed to by Governor Granholm
In 2007, the Saugatuck jurist was selected to the Allegan County Circuit Court bench to replace the retiring Harry Beach. Baillargeon then ran for the seat the following year, but lost by 255 votes to Kevin Cronin, in part due to negative campaigning by Campaign for Michigan Families, an arm of Midland-based American Family Association, who claimed that Baillargeon was sympathetic to gay rights because of past affiliations with the Triangle Foundation and a group opposing the Michigan Marriage Protection Amendment.
Last year, Granholm tabbed Baillargeon again, this time to take over for Stephen Sheridan on the Allegan District Court bench. Yesterday, Baillargeon announced his candidacy for a full term, and at this point, there are no other challengers.
It wasn’t immediately known if the AFA, headed by noted activist Gary Glenn, will again campaign against Baillargeon.
-Gary Stevens, WHTC/WYVN News
