Daniel Joseph Benishek (April 20, 1952 – October 15, 2021)[1] was an American physician and politician who served three terms as the U.S. representative for Michigan's 1st congressional district from 2011 to 2017.

[4] His father was killed in local iron mines in 1957, so Benishek was raised by his widowed mother and extended family.

[6] Benishek was inspired to run for Congress after the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 was signed into law.

[7] Benishek formally announced his candidacy for Congress on March 16, 2010, running against incumbent Democrat Bart Stupak.

"[citation needed] The American Spectator called him "The Most Popular Republican in America" on March 21, in the wake of Stupak's yea vote.

[13] On November 2, 2010, in the general election, Dan Benishek defeated Democratic nominee State Representative Gary McDowell, Independent Glenn Wilson, Libertarian Keith Shelton, Green Ellis Boal, and UST Patrick Lambert.

Benishek was sworn into office on January 5, 2011, as a member of the 112th United States Congress; he succeeded Bart Stupak.

"[19] Benishek won reelection with 52% of the vote, which was the closest race for a victorious Republican incumbent in 2014.

[20] After temporarily considering running for a fourth term, Benishek decided not to seek re-election in 2016; he endorsed Republican State Sen. Tom Casperson as his successor.

163, a bill identical to the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Conservation and Recreation Act (S. 23; 113th Congress), which was introduced into the U.S. Senate by Carl Levin.

[22] The bill would designate as wilderness about 32,500 acres of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in the state of Michigan.