DETROIT, Aug. 4 (UPI) -- The father of slain child model JonBenet Ramsey failed in his bid to win a seat in the Michigan legislature.
Bellaire attorney Kevin Elsenheimer won the 105th Michigan House District in the Republican primary, narrowly beating Ramsey and former legislative aide Craig Ryan, the Detroit Free Press said.
Democrats had two candidates for the seat as well, although the district has a long history of favoring Republicans. The seat becomes vacant because of term limits.
Elsenheimer highlighted his northern Michigan roots throughout the campaign, drawing a contrast to Ramsey, who moved to the area permanently last summer.
Ramsey's campaign manager, John Yob said negative media publicity had been a detriment.
Ramsey and his wife were the focus of the investigation into their child beauty queen's 1996 death, but a grand jury investigation ended in 1999 without charges. The killing occurred in the family home in Boulder, Colo., and remains unsolved.
Regardless of the outcome of the race, Patsy Ramsey said she and her husband will stay involved in politics.
"We've been bitten by the bug," she said.
