Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Jase Bolger for State Representative

Calhoun County Commissioner Jase Bolger is a candidate for State Representative in the 63rd district. The 63rd district covers the eastern half of Kalamazoo County and part of Calhoun County north and east of Battle Creek, including Marshall.

Bolger is unopposed in the Republican primary. Former State Rep. Jerry VanderRoest had filed for election but he dropped out of the race. At least two other candidates who considered running for this seat decided not to. This will be a change from the previous two cycles, when the district saw bitter primaries between VanderRoest and Representative Lorence Wenke, who is term-limited.

Bolger is a graduate of Western Michigan University. He is a resident of Marshall in Calhoun County who works in Kalamazoo County. He founded and owns a small business. He was elected to the Calhoun County commission in 2004 and reelected in 2006.

Bolger appears reasonably conservative. His website says the right things about taxes and spending, life and guns. Not all of his views are known.

Bolger has enjoyed strong fundraising. He raised about $41,000, including a $24,000 loan from himself. As of the end of 2007, he had about $40,000 in the bank.

Bolger's general election opponent will be democrat Phyllis Smith. She also ran in 2006 and lost to Rep. Wenke. She has not reported any fundraising yet and does not appear to have a website.

See Jase Bolger's website: http://www.electbolger.com/

No comments: