Thursday, November 07, 2013

David Maturen Running for State House District 63

Kalamazoo County commission chairman David Maturen is running for state house in the district of term-limited House Speaker Jase Bolger.

Kalamazoo County Board Chair David Maturen announces candidacy for state House
“My number one priority is building on the efforts of Gov. Snyder and the Republican legislative delegation to once again make Michigan a magnet for job creation” Maturen said. “Requiring sensible regulatory reforms, ensuring efficient and effective delivery of governmental services and keeping taxes low to allow businesses to reinvest in equipment and technology and families to keep more of their had earned dollars to spend on their priorities, will all aid in achieving that goal.”
This is little surpirising, but maybe it shouldn't be. Maturen was interested in running in 2008, but deferred to Bolger.  He was elected to the county commission in 2002 and hasn't had a competitive race since then.

Maturen represents about 23000 people in county commission district 8, which includes Prairie Ronde, Schoolcraft, Brady, Pavilion, and Portage 2.  However, only Brady and Pavilion are in the 63rd. They together have about 10,500 people.  Furthermore, Maturen has only had Pavilion for one term, leaving Brady (pop 4200) as his core base.  That's only about 5% of the district.

There are several other possible candidates.  Former Calhoun GOP chairman and former Calhoun County Commissioner Greg Moore have both been mentioned as candidates, but neither seem to have announced yet.  Moore lost the 62nd district 38-62 in 2008, and Mobley lost it 45-55 in 2010.  Both are now in the 63rd due to redistricting.

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