Lorence Wenke: DLTDHYOTWO

Lorence Wenke recently announced that he is leaving the Republican Party.

Citing GOP opposition to gay rights, state Senate candidate Lorence Wenke leaves Republican Party

KALAMAZOO, MI – Former state Rep. Lorence Wenke is leaving the Republican Party and will run for state Senate in November as a Libertarian.

In a statement dated April 25, the long-time Southwest Michigan Republican cited the party's "discrimination" against gay citizens and what he characterized as "taxpayer abuse," which he said has created "an elite class" of government employees, as the reasons behind his decision.

Let's look at Wenke's statement and see if it stands up to scrutiny.

I am leaving the Republican Party for two reasons:

1. The Republican Party leads the movement in Kalamazoo County, our state, and in our nation to discriminate against our gay family members, friends and neighbors.

I support the constitutional right of our gay family members to enjoy the same rights as our heterosexual family members.

They do.  Homosexuals have exactly the same rights as everyone else, including the right to marry on the same terms.  Nobody has the 'right' to marry someone of the same sex.

In 2004, I was one of two Republican legislators out of 63 to vote against the addition of the Marriage Protection Amendment to Michigan’s Constitution. I was the only legislator to call it what it is - discrimination against our gay brothers and sisters. At that time, three local Republican legislators with gay brothers never said a word in support of gay rights. I challenge them with this question: “If you will not stand up for your own family members, who will you stand up for?”

The constituents who elected them?

Governor Snyder and Lt. Gov. Calley are not willing to publically take a position for or against gay rights. I can only assume it is because they fear the political consequences.

Republicans have encouraged many of our churches to support political efforts to discriminate against gays by condemning them for what they perceive as a sinful lifestyle choice.

Huh?  I'm pretty sure that the churches' position on marriage preceded that of the Republicans.

These same people often ignore the clear teachings of Jesus and Paul stating that remarriage after divorce is committing adultery. If the church required divorced members to live a celibate, single life, there would be fewer divorces and presumably marriage would be protected and valued.

As majority floor leader in 2004, Republican Representative Chris Ward helped ensure the placement of the Marriage Protection Amendment on the ballot so that George W. Bush could be re-elected.

The marriage amendment was placed on the ballot by petition signatures, not the legislature.  The legislative vote didn't get the 2/3 needed.

Recently Mr. Ward wrote, “Looking back now, one of the things that bothers me the most about the whole episode was how dehumanizing it was. It was just politics. But it wasn’t politics. Those were people. We Republicans singled out a whole group of people, most of whom just wanted to be left alone, to forcefully discriminate against them for short-term political benefits. All around us were our friends, colleagues, family members, highly valued staff members and people we care about who this clearly was going to hurt. Nobody seemed to think a thing of it. My own particular purgatory is to be forever doomed to be on the wrong side of history.”

The marriage amendment maintained the status quo.  It defined marriage; it did not single anyone out.

2. The Republican Party has abused taxpayer financially for the benefit of government employees

Most government employees have become an elite class of workers in Kalamazoo County, our state and In our nation with compensation packages far exceeding the private sector. Although the statistics in support of this over-compensation are overwhelming, I will not go into detail except for one example.

The City of Kalamazoo and the County of Kalamazoo have very similar compensation plans for their employees. For decades, Kalamazoo city commissioners have been mostly Democrats and Kalamazoo County commissioners have been mostly Republicans with a few notable exceptions. Republicans John Vander Ploeg, Al Heilman and Mary Balkema were Kalamazoo city commissioners. They said almost nothing about the generous compensation of city employees.

Republican small business owner, John Vander Ploeg, former Republican Party chairman, Al Heilman, and current Kalamazoo County Treasurer, Mary Balkema talk about good government but they are silent because there is a price to pay in business and on Election Day for anyone who opposes generous benefits for so many.

Most city and county employees can retire with 75% of their last pay check for life, as well as health care that is nearly free. Recently, a city manager retired after 22 years of work with an annual pension of $110,000 for the rest of his life. An assistant retired with an annual pension of $87,000.

Wenke's concerns about public sector compensation are well-founded.  But what does he expect to be done about it?  As he notes, Republicans have not had more than one or two Kalamazoo city commissioners in decades.  So 'speaking out' about the issue wouldn't accomplish much.

As Wenke must surely know, the biggest factor responsible for over-generous public sector benefits is public sector unions.  Unions battle hard for these benefits, including trying to defeat or recall any politician who stands in their way.  For a long time, there wasn't much that could be done.  But since 2010, Republicans in Lansing have passed right to work, which limits the power of unions.  They have also passed a strengthened emergency manager law, which allows emergency managers to cancel union agreements when cities are on the verge of bankruptcy.  This encourages other cities to make more responsible agreements.

Maybe Republicans could have done more, but they have made real progress.  What else does Wenke expect them to do?

Republicans have made some progress on government employee benefits, and haven't changed (much) on marriage.  So why did Wenke really leave now?  Some Gazette commenters have a different theory.

Seems awfully convenient to pull this stunt on withdraw day. If he was so concerned with gay rights, he would have done this a month ago. To do this on Friday tells me that he knew he was getting no traction in the GOP primary (being in the race since last year). So Wenke decides the best course is to engage in Mutually Assured Destruction.

He can harp on his old refrains from six years ago, but this smacks of an act of petty self-centered desperation, not, as he would contend, principle.

Another:

I don't believe Mr. Wenke is leaving the Republican party because the majority of Republicans believe in "Traditional Marriage"; I do believe however, that Mr. Wenke is leaving the Republican party at this time because he knows he doesn't have a chance to win the State Senate race against Margaret O'Brien.

If Mr. Wenke were so concerned with the rights of American citizens, and was working to help American families, he wouldn't be so quick to support Amnesty for Illegal Aliens. During a discussion regarding a resolution to not give Illegal Aliens amnesty, Mr. Wenke said that Americans dont want to work, alluding that he must hire Illegals to get people to work in his businesses. I don't think Americans have issues working.

If Mr. Wenke wants to leave the Republican party because many Republicans believe in traditional marriage, and believe that American citizens and their families should come first, and be helped before those here illegally, then so be it.

It appears that Wenke finally realized that he wasn't going to win the Republican primary.   This blog has chronicled Wenke's terrible electoral record before.  Does he really thinks he can win as a libertarian, or just want to spite Republicans for not supporting him?

Don't let the door hit you on the way out.

2014 Michigan State House Races

Last updated July 29, 2014.

Cross-posted at The Western Right, Right Michigan, and Red Racing Horses.

All 110 seats in the Michigan House of Representatives will be up for election in November. Republicans currently hold a 59-51 majority, following a 63-47 majority after 2010. There are 40 open seats, 21 held by Republicans and 19 held by democrats.  There are 30 open due to term-limits and 10 just seeking another office.

Republicans gained one new seat (73) and one existing seat (39) due to redistricting, but also lost one existing seat (55) in 2012.  They also lost five incumbents (52, 71, 84, 91, 110), not counting party-switcher Roy Schmidt (76).  They could have won several more seats with a more effective redistricting plan.

Democrats want to take back the state house, but face a difficult playing field.  Of the Republican-held open seats, only 56 and possibly 65 are competitive.  They will try to defeat some Republican incumbents, but it is not clear how they will beat incumbents this year that they couldn't defeat in 2012.

Meanwhile, Republicans will seek to gain seats.  The best opportunity is the open 84, which was lost due to scandal in 2012.  There are two lean dem open seats (21, 62) that may be competitive.  Republicans will also try to defeat several incumbents who picked up seats in 2012 (25, 71, 91).

There are a number of interesting primaries in August.  A bunch of Republican incumbents are being challenged due to their support of Medicaid expansion, Common Core, and the Detroit Bailout.  Most will win easily, but there is the potential for a few to be surprised (39, 79, 107).  The open seats feature more competitive primaries, many of which also feature establishment versus Tea Party battles.  Establishment candidates are receiving support from the Chamber of Commerce and Great Lakes Education Project.  More conservative candidates are receiving support from Americans for Prosperity and Madison Project Michigan.

State house fundraising is analyzed in the following article.
Michigan State House Fundraising





2014 Unofficial Michigan Primary Candidate Listing

The following lists district number, current incumbent, geographic description, 2012 state house result, 2012 Romney %, and political rating.  I did not use 'likely' in the ratings.  Candidates are labeled as establishment (E), Tea Party (T), and solidly conservative (C), when these labels clearly apply.

1. (Brian Banks) [Detroit] 29-71, 23.5%, Safe D
Brian Banks won the 2012 democrat primary before his long criminal record and repeated failure to pay rent (he was kicked out of his campaign office) was exposed.  He has six primary challengers, but his main competitor is Rebecca Thompson, who significantly outraised him.
2. (Alberta Tinsley Talibi) [Detroit] 26-72, 23.8%, Safe D
3. (OPEN-John Olumba) [Detroit] 3-96, 1.6%, Safe D
4. (Rose Robinson) [Detroit] 5-95, 3.4%, Safe D
5. (OPEN-Fred Durhal) [Detroit] 6-94, 2.7%, Safe D
6. (OPEN-Rashida Tlaib) [Detroit] 5-92, 5.3%, Safe D
7. (Thomas Stallworth) [Detroit] 2-98, 0.9%, Safe D
8. (OPEN-David Nathan) [Detroit] 3-97, 2%, Safe D
9. (Harvey Santana) [Detroit] 5-95, 3.3%, Safe D
10. (OPEN-Phil Cavanaugh) [Detroit] 14-86, 16.4%, Safe D
11. (OPEN-David Knezek) [Inkster, Garden City] 28-72, 29.3%, Safe D
12. (OPEN-Douglas Geiss) [Taylor, Romulus] 25-75, 29.5%, Safe D
13. (OPEN-Andrew Kandrevas) [Southgate, Allen Park, Dearborn Heights] 35-65, 40.3%, Safe D
14. (Paul Clemente) [Riverview, Wyandotte, Lincoln Park, Melvindale] 26-71, 34.9%, Safe D
15. (George Darany) [Dearborn] 25-75, 33.5%, Safe D
16. (Robert Kosowski) [Westland, Wayne] 28-68, 33.3%, Safe D
17. (Bill Lavoy) [N Monroe, Sumpter, Huron] 39-61, 45.3%, Safe D
18. (Sarah Roberts) [St. Clair Shores, Eastpointe] 34-64, 40.7%, Safe D
19. (OPEN-John Walsh) [Livonia] 60-40, 52%, Safe R
(Likely Cox) Laura Cox (E), a Wayne County Commissioner and wife of former Attorney General Mike Cox, is favored over Ken Crider to win this safe R seat.
20. (Kurt Heise) [Plymouth, Northville] 56-44, 51.8%, Safe R
21. (OPEN-Dian Slavens) [Canton, Van Buren] 38-62, 43.3%, Lean D
Carol Fausonne has a chance to pick up this open seat, but it could have been drawn much better if it included all of Canton.  Three dems are competing in the primary.
22. (OPEN-Harold Haugh) [Roseville, E Warren] 30-70, 36.2%, Safe D
23. (Pat Somerville) [SE Wayne] 50.5-49.5, 47.5%, Lean R
In 2012, Pat Summerville (C) was narrowly reelected in the most dem seat held by a Republican.  He is probably a modest favorite this time.  Two dems are competing to face him.
24. (Anthony Forlini) [Harrison, N Clinton, SW Macomb] 54.7-45.3, Safe R
25. (Henry Yanez) [E Sterling Heights, NC Warren] 48.6-51.4, 47.8%, Lean D
Nick Hawatmeh will try to beat dem Henry Yanez, who won a new open seat in 2012 which could have been much better drawn.
26. (Jim Townsend) [Royal Oak, Madison Heights] 36-60, 40.3%, Safe D
27. (OPEN-Ellen Cogen Lipton) [Oak Park, Ferndale, Hazel Park] 20-76, 24.8%, Safe D
28. (OPEN-Jon Switalski) [W Warren, Center Line] 21-79, 35.8%, Safe D
29. (Tim Greimel) [Pontiac, Auburn Hills, Orchard Lake] 23-77, 23.9%, Safe D
30. (Jeff Farrington) [W Sterling Heights, Utica, SE Shelby] 53.3-46.7, 51.5%, Safe R
Dem Joseph Bogdan is seeking a rematch with Jeff Farrington, who beat him in 2012, but he has a primary with Bo Karpinsky first.
31. (Marilyn Lane) [S Clinton, Fraser, Mt. Clemens] 34-62, 41.8%, Safe D
32. (Andrea LaFontaine) [Chesterfield, C St. Clair] 59-41, 53.9%, Safe R
33. (Ken Goike) [NE Macomb, Macomb Twp.] 62-38, 56.2%, Safe R
34. (OPEN-Woodrow Stanley) [Flint] 13-87, 8.3%, Safe D
35. (OPEN-Rudy Hobbs) [Southfield] 17-83, 17.6%, Safe D
36. (OPEN-Pete Lund) [Shelby, Washington, Bruce] 64-36, 61%, Safe R
(Lean Grot) There is a bitter, expensive primary for this seat between Stan Grot (C), Shelby Township Clerk, and Macomb GOP official, and lawyer Peter Lucido, who has rarely voted in the past.
37. (OPEN-Vicki Barnett) [Farmington] 38-62, 40.3%, Safe D
38. (OPEN-Hugh Crawford) [Novi, Lyon] 59-41, 53.6%, Safe R
(Likely Crawford) Hugh Crawford's wife Kathy Crawford (E), who is also an Oakland County Commissioner, faces retired pastor Dan Lauffer (T).
39. (Klint Kesto) [W West Bloomfield, Commerce, Wixom] 53.3-46.7, 51.5%, Lean R
(Lean Kesto) Klint Kesto (E), the surprise primary winner in 2012, faces a serious primary challenge by Tea Party leader Deb O'Hagan (T).  Two dems are seeking to beat Kesto, who picked up this seat in 2012.
40. (Michael McCready) [Bloomfield, Birmingham, E West Bloomfield] 57-41, 52.8%, Safe R
41. (Martin Howrylak) [Troy, Clawson] 50.5-49.5, 51.6%, Lean R
Martin Howrylak (C) faces a rematch with Mary Kerwin, who he barely beat by 1% in 2012.
42. (OPEN-Bill Rogers) [SE Livingston] 63-33, 60.2%, Safe R
(Likely Theis) Former Livingston GOP chairwoman Lana Theis (C), who is endorsed by Right to Life, appears to be the favorite in the GOP primary against three others, including fake Republican Rich Perlberg.
43. (OPEN-Gail Haines) [Waterford, Independence] 66-34, 54.8%, Safe R
(Tossup) Five Republicans are competing for the nomination, including Independence Township Trustee Jose Aliaga (C).
44. (OPEN-Eileen Kowall) [Springfield, White Lake, Highland, Milford] 63-33, 59.1%, Safe R
Oakland County Commissioner Jim Runestad (C) seems to be the favorite of both the Tea Party and establishment over moderate Liz Fessler Smith and two others.
45. (OPEN-Tom McMillin) [Rochester, S Oakland Twp] 56-44, 55.9%, Safe R
(Lean Webber) Michael Webber seems to be the favorite over Mark Avery here.
46. (Bradford Jacobsen) [NE Oakland] 64-36, 60.1%, Safe R
(Likely Jacobsen) Bradford Jacobsen is being challenged by John Reilly (C).
47. (OPEN-Cindy Denby) [N Livingston] 64-32, 62.5%, Safe R
(Tossup) This seems to be a three-way race between former school board member Wendy Day (T), Howell Mayor Phil Campbell (C), and township supervisor Henry Vaupel, who seems to be somewhat more moderate.
48. (Pam Faris) [NE Genesee] 36-64, 39.8%, Safe D
49. (Phil Phelps) [Flint Twp., Mt. Morris, SW Flint] 25-75, 28.8%, Safe D
50. (Charles Smiley) [Burton, Grand Blanc, Mundy] 39-61, 42.7%, Safe D
51. (Joe Graves) [W Genesee, Fenton, NW Oakland] 54.3-45.7, 53.1%, Safe R
52. (Gretchen Driskell) [W Washtenaw] 47-53, 47.5%, Safe D
Gretchen Driskell beat Mark Ouimet by 6% in 2012.  John Hochstetler is on the ballot, but not running a serious campaign.
53. (Jeff Irwin) [Ann Arbor] 19-81, 19.5%, Safe D
54. (David Rutledge) [Ypsilanti] 23-77, 23.8%, Safe D
55. (Adam Zemke) [Pittsfield, NE Ann Arbor, York, Augusta] 32-65, 31.6%, Safe D
56. (OPEN-Dale Zorn) [S Monroe] 58-42, 50.6%, Lean R
Republicans Irma Kubiske and Jason Sheppard (C) will compete to face dem Tom Redmond for the seat of Dale Zorn, who is running for state senate.  This is the most competitive open Republican seat.
57. (Nancy Jenkins) [Lenawee] 52.5-47.5, 49.9%, Lean R
Nancy Jenkins, who was reelected by 5% in 2012, will face dem Sharon Wimple.
58. (OPEN-Ken Kurtz) [Branch, Hillsdale] 70-30, 60.1%, Safe R
(Tossup) There are seven candidates in this wide-open race, including county commissioner Brad Benzing and businessman Jeff Jacques.
59. (OPEN-Matt Lori) [St. Joseph, E Cass] 62-38, 54.7%, Safe R
(Lean Bippus) Road commissioner John Bippus (C), who is endorsed by Michigan Right to Life, is favored over superintendant Roger Rathburn, teacher Aaron Miller, and GOP activist Bob Sills.
60. (OPEN-Sean McCann) [Kalamazoo, Kalamazoo Twp.] 26-74, 26.8%, Safe D
(Lean Buskirk) Three dems, Kalamazoo County Commissioner David Buskirk, an old-school union dem, gay progressive campaign strategist Jon Hoadley, and black Kalamazoo Township Trustee Patricia Goodacre, will compete for this safe dem seat.
61. (OPEN-Margaret O'Brien) [Portage, Oshtemo, Texas, Schoolcraft, Prairie Ronde] 58-42, 49.1%, Safe R
(Tossup) Kalamazoo County commissioners Phil Stinchcomb (C) and Brandt Iden (E) are competing for this seat.
62. (OPEN-Kate Segal) [Battle Creek, Albion, N Calhoun] 42-58, 43.8%, Lean D
(Tossup) County commissioner Art Kale and doctor John Bizon, who has strong fundraising, are competing for the GOP nomination. (Lean Todd) County commissioner Terris Todd is probably the favorite for the dem nomination over two other candidates, though all three have weak fundraising.
63. (OPEN-Jase Bolger) [E Kalamazoo, S Calhoun] 50.9-49.1, 54.6%, Safe R
(Lean Potter) Republican Marshall school board president Vic Potter, who is endorsed by Right to Life, and moderate Kalamazoo County Commissioner David Maturen (E) will compete for the seat of Speaker Jase Bolger.  Dem Bill Farmer, who almost upset Bolger in 2012 due to the Roy Schmidt controversy, will run again.
64. (Earl Poleski) [Jackson city, W Jackson] 56-44, 51.2%, Safe R
65. (OPEN-Mike Shirkey) [N Jackson, SE Eaton] 57-43, 53.4%, Lean R
(Tossup) Six Republicans, including Robert Sutherby, who is endorsed by Michigan Right to Life and Rep. Shirkey, will compete here.
66. (Aric Nesbitt) [Van Buren, Cooper, Alamo, Parchment] 59-41, 49.7%, Safe R
67. (Tom Cochran) [S Ingham] 44-56, 44.8%, Safe D
68. (Andy Schor) [Lansing] 23-77, 24.6%, Safe D
69. (Sam Singh) [East Lansing, Meridian] 35-65, 35.9%, Safe D
70. (Rick Outman) [Montcalm, N Gratiot] 54.5-45.5, 52.6%, Safe R
71. (Theresa Abed) [Eaton] 46.6-53.4, 47.3%, Tossup
Dem Theresa Abed upset Deb Schaunessy by 7% in 2012.  She will face Iraq war veteran Tom Barrett (C) in this hotly contested seat.
72. (Ken Yonker) [Kentwood, Gaines, NE Allegan] 59-38, 56.3%, Safe R
(Likely Yonker) Rep. Yonker (E) is being challenged by retired veteran Gabe Hudson (T).
73. (OPEN-Peter MacGregor) [Grand Rapids Twp, Plainfield, NE Kent] 64-32, 60.9%, Safe R
(Lean Afendoulis) Grand Rapids Township Treasurer Chris Afendoulis seems to be the favorite over salesman Frank Pfaff (C) and five other candidates.
74. (Rob Verhuelen) [Grandville, Walker, Alpine, NW Kent] 66-34, 60.4%, Safe R
75. (Brandon Dillon) [central Grand Rapids] 24-76, 23.8%, Safe D
76. (Winnie Brinks) [peripheral Grand Rapids] 39-52, 44.2%, Lean D
(Tossup) Keith Allard (C), former campaign manager for Justin Amash, is competing with Donijo DeJonge (E) to face dem Winnie Brinks, who beat scandal-tainted dem-turned-R Roy Schmidt in 2012.
77. (Thomas Hooker) [Wyoming, Byron] 60-36, 58.3%, Safe R
78. (Dave Pagel) [S Berrien, SW Cass] 61-39, 56.1%, Safe R
(Likely Pagel) Rep. Pagel (E) is being challenged by Jim Walker (T).
79. (Al Pscholka) [N Berrien] 52.8-45.7, 51.5%, Safe R
(Lean Pscholka) Moderate state rep. Al Pscholka (E) will face nurse Cindy Duran (T) in this hotly contested primary.
80. (OPEN-Bob Genetski) [Allegan] 62-38, 57.6%, Safe R
(Lean Gamrat) Tea Party leader Cindy Gamrat (T) will face Mary Whiteford (E) and two others in the primary for this conservative district.
81. (Dan Lauwers) [NW, E St. Clair] 53.8-46.2, 55%, Safe R
82. (OPEN-Kevin Daley) [Lapeer] 59-41, 55.1%, Safe R
(Tossup) Todd Courser (T), who almost was elected MIGOP chairman in 2013, faces Jan Peabody (E) and two other Republican candidates.
83. (Paul Muxlow) [Sanilac, Port Huron] 56-44, 52.5%, Safe R
84. (OPEN-Terry Brown) [Tuscola, Huron] 38-53, 55.6%, Lean R
(Tossup) This is the best chance for Republicans to pick up a seat, and where the primary will make the most difference.  In 2012, dem former state rep Terry Brown (2006-2010, 2012-2014) won back his old seat.  He defeated Huron County drain commissioner Dan Grimshaw, who defeated ethically challenged incumbent Republican Kurt Damrow in the primary.  Brown is term-limited and running for state senate.  Damrow and Grimshaw are among seven Republicans seeking this seat, which is the most Republican seat held by a dem.
85. (Ben Glardon) [Shiawassee, W Saginaw] 54-40, 48.9%, Safe R
86. (Lisa Posthumus Lyons) [SE Kent, N Ionia] 70-30, 63%, Safe R
(Likely Lyons) Rep. Lyons (E) faces Angela Rigas (T).
87. (Mike Callton) [Barry, S Ionia] 62-35, 58.7%, Safe R
88. (Roger Victory) [NE Ottawa] 87-0, 72.9%, Safe R
89. (Amanda Price) [W Ottawa] 66-34, 61.6%, Safe R
(Likely Price) Rep. Price (E) faces Matt Wiedenhoeft (T).
90. (Joseph Haveman) [Holland] 100-0, 66.5%, Safe R
(Lean Garcia) Former Pete Hoekstra staffer Daniela Garcia (E) has Rep. Joe Haveman's support against Geoff Haveman (T), a distant relation, and two others.
91. (Collene Lamonte) [S, W Muskegon] 47.3-48.1, 48.5%, Tossup
(Safe Hughes) Former state rep. Holly Hughes, who was defeated by 0.8% by dem Colleen LaMonte in 2012, will seek a rematch.  She is safe against two minor candidates in the primary.
92. (Marcia Hovey Wright) [Muskegon city] 27-73, 31.3%, Safe D
93. (Tom Leonard) [S Gratiot, Clinton] 57-43, 52.9%, Safe R
94. (Tim Kelly) [Saginaw Twp, E Saginaw] 56-44, 55.7%, Safe R
95. (OPEN-Stacy Erwin Oakes) [Saginaw city] 22-78, 24.8%, Safe D
Pro-life dem Norman Braddock, a Saginaw city commissioner, will compete with progressive Vanessa Guerra.
96. (Charles Brunner) [Bay] 31-69, 45.3%, Safe D
97. (Joel Johnson) [Arenac, Gladwin, Clare, E Osceola] 62-38, 53.2%, Safe R
98. (OPEN-Jim Stamas) [C Midland, N Bay] 59-41, 56%, Safe R
(Lean Glenn) Gary Glenn (T), a conservative activist supporting Right to Work and traditional marriage, faces Karl Ieuter (E) in this expensive and hotly contested primary.
99. (Kevin Cotter) [Isabella, W Midland] 57-43, 48.1%, Safe R
100. (Jon Bumstead) [Newaygo, Oceana, Lake] 62-38, 55.5%, Safe R
101. (Ray Franz) [Leelanau, Benzie, Manistee, Mason] 51-49, 50.7%, Lean R
Ray Franz (C), who was reelected by 2% in 2012, will seek a final term against dem Tom Stobie, who outraised him so far.
102. (Phil Potvin) [Wexford, W Osceola, Mecosta] 54.8-45.2, 56.3%, Safe R
103. (Bruce Rendon) [Kalkaska, Crawford, Missaukee, Roscommon, Ogemaw] 52.8-47.2, 55.9%, Safe R
104. (OPEN-Wayne Schmidt) [Grand Traverse] 57-43, 55.4%, Safe R
(Tossup) There are eight Republicans running in this wide-open primary.
105. (OPEN-Greg MacMaster) [Antrim, Charlevoix, Otsego, Montmorency, Oscoda] 67-33, 58.5%, Safe R
(Lean Cole) Triston Cole, a farmer who was the runner-up four years ago, is the favorite over Tony Cutler.
106. (Peter Petallia) [E Cheboygan, Presque Isle, Alpena, Alcona, Iosco] 52.2-45.3, 53.6%, Lean R
Peter Pettalia, who was reelected by 7% in 2012, will seek a final term.  Three dems are competing to face him.
107. (Frank Foster) [Emmet, Mackinac, Chippewa, N Cheboygan] 58-42, 55.5%, Safe R
(Tossup)  Rep. Foster (E) faces a tough primary against Lee Chatfield (T), who has very strong fundraising, due to Foster's support of Medicaid expansion, Common Core, and gay rights.  This is probably the best chance for conservatives to defeat an incumbent Republican.
108. (Ed McBroom) [Delta, Menominee, Dickinson] 54.6-45.4, 54.6%, Safe R
109. (John Kivela) [Marquette, Alger, Schoolcraft, Luce] 42-58, 45.4%, Safe D
110. (Scott Dianda) [W Upper Peninsula] 48.4-51.6, 51.6%, Safe D
Scott Dianda, a fairly conservative dem who beat Matt Huuki by 3% in 2012, is safe against Bob Michaels.

Ratings:
Safe D: 44
Lean D: 4
Tossup: 2
Lean R: 10
Safe R: 50

Injunction in Dordt v. Sebelius

US district court judge Mark Bennett has issued an injunction in the case Dordt v. Sebelius.  The federal government is attempting to force Dordt College, a Christian college northwestern Iowa and other Christian colleges to pay for types of birth control that can cause abortion.  This is despite the fact that the "Affordable Care Act" contains an exception for religious institutions.  The feds have interpreted that as covering only churches, and not religious colleges.

The injunction essentially delays the case until the Supreme Court rules on the Hobby Lobby case, in which a Christian business has similar objections to Obamacare.

Lorence Wenke Statement

This is the statement the Lorence Wenke sent out over the weekend.  Since it doesn't seem to be available elsewhere on the internet, this blog will publish it.

-----------------------------------------------------

Media Release from Lorence Wenke – State Senate Candidate April 25, 2014

I am leaving the Republican Party for two reasons:

1. The Republican Party leads the movement in Kalamazoo County, our state, and in our nation to discriminate against our gay family members, friends and neighbors.

I support the constitutional right of our gay family members to enjoy the same rights as our heterosexual family members. In 2004, I was one of two Republican legislators out of 63 to vote against the addition of the Marriage Protection Amendment to Michigan’s Constitution. I was the only legislator to call it what it is - discrimination against our gay brothers and sisters. At that time, three local Republican legislators with gay brothers never said a word in support of gay rights. I challenge them with this question: “If you will not stand up for your own family members, who will you stand up for?”

Governor Snyder and Lt. Gov. Calley are not willing to publically take a position for or against gay rights. I can only assume it is because they fear the political consequences.

Republicans have encouraged many of our churches to support political efforts to discriminate against gays by condemning them for what they perceive as a sinful lifestyle choice. These same people often ignore the clear teachings of Jesus and Paul stating that remarriage after divorce is committing adultery. If the church required divorced members to live a celibate, single life, there would be fewer divorces and presumably marriage would be protected and valued.

As majority floor leader in 2004, Republican Representative Chris Ward helped ensure the placement of the Marriage Protection Amendment on the ballot so that George W. Bush could be re-elected. Recently Mr. Ward wrote, “Looking back now, one of the things that bothers me the most about the whole episode was how dehumanizing it was. It was just politics. But it wasn’t politics. Those were people. We Republicans singled out a whole group of people, most of whom just wanted to be left alone, to forcefully discriminate against them for short-term political benefits. All around us were our friends, colleagues, family members, highly valued staff members and people we care about who this clearly was going to hurt. Nobody seemed to think a thing of it. My own particular purgatory is to be forever doomed to be on the wrong side of history.”

2. The Republican Party has abused taxpayer financially for the benefit of government employees

Most government employees have become an elite class of workers in Kalamazoo County, our state and In our nation with compensation packages far exceeding the private sector. Although the statistics in support of this over-compensation are overwhelming, I will not go into detail except for one example.

The City of Kalamazoo and the County of Kalamazoo have very similar compensation plans for their employees. For decades, Kalamazoo city commissioners have been mostly Democrats and Kalamazoo County commissioners have been mostly Republicans with a few notable exceptions. Republicans John Vander Ploeg, Al Heilman and Mary Balkema were Kalamazoo city commissioners. They said almost nothing about the generous compensation of city employees.

Republican small business owner, John Vander Ploeg, former Republican Party chairman, Al Heilman, and current Kalamazoo County Treasurer, Mary Balkema talk about good government but they are silent because there is a price to pay in business and on Election Day for anyone who opposes generous benefits for so many.

Most city and county employees can retire with 75% of their last pay check for life, as well as health care that is nearly free. Recently, a city manager retired after 22 years of work with an annual pension of $110,000 for the rest of his life. An assistant retired with an annual pension of $87,000.

This decision has been difficult. I have been a Republican for many years and served as both a Kalamazoo county commissioner and state representative as a member of the Republican Party. Most Republicans are good citizens and good friends who are sincere in their desire to make our communities better places to live. Although, I am leaving the party, I hope to maintain the relationships that I have built within the party.

I welcome the support of anyone who values economic and social freedom. I believe citizens need a choice in elections for economic freedom and social freedom that we do not have now.

In closing, I am leaving the Republican Party, including many who I consider to be friends, because of the suffering and injustice needlessly inflicted on our gay family members. I consider it an honor to have anti-gay citizens vote against me because of my support for equal rights for our gay family members. I am leaving the Republican Party because our spending of taxpayer dollars has been immoral and is leading our country to bankruptcy. I have joined the Libertarian Party and expect to be on the ballot in November as their Kalamazoo County Senate Candidate (20th District).

Lorence Wenke
3598 Wyngate Meadow
Galesburg, MI 49053

MCRI Upheld!

The Supreme Court ruled 6-2 that Michigan Civil Rights Initiative (MCRI) is constitutional.  The MRCI banned racial discrimination in government hiring and college admissions.  Of course, the US Constitution and Civil Rights Act already don't allow this.  But liberals were ignoring this to support 'affirmative action' to discriminate against whites and asians.  Thus the MCRI was needed.

The bogus claim against the MCRI was that it discriminated against minorities since it made it harder to enact a policy they support.  First of all, there is no one minority position on affirmative action, as many minorities, from Thomas Sowell to Supreme Court justice Clarence Thomas oppose racial preferences.  Further, it is far from obvious that racial preferences actually help minorities, since (particularly in college admissions) they lead to mismatching and higher minority dropout rates.

Setting that aside, the argument is still bogus.  Michigan's Constitution was amended in the usual manner.  Supporters had to convince a majority of the public to the MCRI, opponents had to convince a majority to oppose it.  The supporters won 58-42, despite being significantly outspent.  They beat everyone on the left, plus the Chamber of Commerce, Dick DeVos, and significant chunk of the Republican establishment.  Further, the MCRI could be repealed using the same exact process--convincing a majority of the public to repeal it.  But that won't happen, since the public doesn't like racial preferences.

Thankfully, BAMN's attempt to get unelected judges to overrule Michigan's voters failed.

Filing Deadline Passed

The filing deadline for Michigan public offices passed on Tuesday.  This blogs articles on Michigan elections have been updated with all the latest candidate filings.  These articles contain lists of candidates, previous election data, analysis, and ratings of the races.  They are linked on the sidebar at right.

The list of all state candidates is here:
http://miboecfr.nictusa.com/election/candlist/14PRI/14PRI_CL.HTM

The list of Kalamazoo County candidates is here:
http://www.mlive.com/news/kalamazoo/index.ssf/2014/04/see_complete_list_of_candidate.html

Terrence Moore on Common Core

Dr. Terrence Moore of Hillsdale College recently gave a very informative presentation on Common Core. This is well worth watching.

County Commission Update

Republican county commissioners Jeff Heppler and Roger Tuinier will run for reelection.  Thus five of eleven commissioners are running for reelection.  Four are running for state rep, and two are retiring.

Meanwhile, former commissioner John Gisler is running for district 8.  He deferred to fellow commissioner David Maturen in 2012 when they ended up in the same district.  Gisler seems to be popular with both the establishment and the Tea Party, and is likely a solid favorite in the district.

A master list of these races is linked at the sidebar at right.

NRA Alert

Senator Mike Green continues to make progress for Michigan gun owners.  The legislature has passed a bill to legalize short-barreled rifles and shotguns, which are federally regulated.

Michigan: Bill to Repeal State Ban on Short-Barreled Rifles and Shotguns Sent to Governor

Terrorist Bill Ayers to Speak at WMU

Unrepentant communist terrorist Bill Ayers, a political ally of President Obama, will speak at Western on Wednesday.

Bill Ayers, professor and Weather Underground co-founder, to speak at WMU Wednesday

KALAMAZOO, MI – The co-founder of the militant anti-war group the Weather Underground will be speaking at Western Michigan University Wednesday.

Bill Ayers, a retired Distinguished Professor of Education and Senior University Scholar at the University of Illinois at Chicago, will speak at 7 p.m. in the Fetzer Center's Kirsch Auditorium, WMU said in a press release.

His presentation, which is free and open to the public, is titled "Teaching Free People: What Democracy Demands in its Schools." He also will meet with faculty and students while on campus, WMU said. 

...

Ayers' appearance is co-sponsored by the College of Education and Human Development; the Departments of Educational Leadership, Research and Technology; Teaching, Learning and Educational Studies; English; and Sociology; and the Lewis Walker Institute for the Study of Race and Ethnic Relations.

This presumably means that his visit is paid for by Western, and indirectly Michigan taxpayers.

Ayers was previously publicly supported by seven WMU professors in 2008.

Previous: Faculty for Ayers

Rick Snyder in Kalamazoo

Governor Rick Snyder headlined the Kalamazoo GOP Lincoln Day dinner on Friday, February 28.  This Gazette article briefly describes the event.

Gov. Rick Snyder says Michigan's future is bright at Kalamazoo County Republican Party dinner

Dingell Out

Democrat John Dingell, in Congress for over 58 years since Eisenhower's first term, is finally retiring. Dingell's wife Debbie Dingell is running to succeed him. Progressive senator Rebecca Warren is considering running. If so, we could see an interesting Downriver versus Ann Arbor primary. Republican Terry Bowman is expected to run.

The latest updates of Michigan and Kalamazoo County political races can be found at the links on the sidebar at right.

Bad Idea

Alamo Township Supervisor Lou Conti is facing a recall effort due to his alleged conduct during and after meetings.  The recall election has been pushed back to November, assuming enough signatures are collected.

Despite recall effort, Kalamazoo-area township supervisor votes himself $5,000 raise

Despite this, he and his supporters made that bizarre decision to raise their own pay.  They did not wait to apply it to the next term.  They also increased the pay of several officials who said that they did not need or want an increase.  This presumably was to give cover so that he was not just increasing his own pay.  Conti may have just assured that he will be recalled.

Previous: Recall the Alamo?

No Means Try Again

Voters in the Gull Lake school district narrowly rejected a tax increase on Tuesday.  Many school districts don't like taking no for an answer, and will keep putting the same (or similar) measures on the ballot until one passes. But Gull Lake went one step further.

Gull Lake schools millage request to appear again on May 6 ballot

Christopher Rundle, superintendent of Gull Lake schools, said the board met Friday to discuss its next steps. The proposal will appear again on the May 6 ballot because the board had voted 6-0 on Monday to have the request put before voters again in May as a fallback plan in case it failed Tuesday.

So they put it on the ballot again before it was even rejected the first time!

The Spread of Christianity

This article is an interesting look at the spread of Christianity in the Third World.

Beating the State: Third Century Christianity in the Third World Today

Great Achievements in Arson

Lola Atkinson, vice president of the Kalamazoo NAACP, has been charged with attempted arson.  She was the 2012 YWCA woman of achievement award winner.  She was apparently caught in the act preparing to burn down a house that she owns, likely for an insurance scam.  There have previously been several other suspicious fires in houses that she owned.

NAACP vice president Lola Clark Atkinson one of two suspects charged with attempted arson in Kalamazoo
NAACP president says he holds vice president Lola Clark Atkinson, charged with attempted arson, in 'highest regards'
'Significant' evidence ties Lola Clark Atkinson to attempted arson, Kalamazoo police chief says
Lola Atkinson paid tenant to vacate house as part of arson plan, Kalamazoo detective testifes
Lola Clark Atkinson arrest prompts Kalamazoo police to re-examine 1998 arson that killed boy, 5

Scott McGraw Running for County Commission

Republican Scott McGraw is running for Kalamazoo County Commission district 11, which is being vacated by the retiring John Zull.  Jamie Jager, the democrat who lost to Zull in 2012, is also running again.

Portage resident Scott McGraw announces run for Kalamazoo County Board

Stephanie Moore's Rap Sheet

Kalamazoo city commissioner Stephanie Moore, Kalamazoo County's most embarrassing politician, is considering running for county commission.

Kalamazoo City Commissioner Stephanie Moore considering run for county board
Kalamazoo planning commissioner Rico White to run for county board

To review her rap sheet:

Analysis of Kalamazoo City Commission Races

Before her election, Moore was convicted of several crimes, including embezzlement, when she was a community organizer for ACORN.

Moore, who is serving her first term as a city commissioner, pleaded guilty in 2005 to misdemeanor embezzlement from the Fannie Lou Hamer Project, a national nonprofit voting education foundation she headed. Michigan State Police records also show that in 1983 Moore, then 17, was found guilty of misdemeanor retail fraud and in 1998 she pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor nonsufficient funds charge.

She was arrested and pled no contest to interfering with a police officer in Battle Creek and spent a short time in jail. There was also a controversy about firemen filling her swimming pool for free.

What Did Stephanie Moore/Bell Know?

In 2011, her then husband, Terrence Bell, was charged and convicted of child abuse.  There were allegations that Moore may have known, or should have known, about his activities.  She defended him while his trial was ongoing, but divorced him after he was convicted.

None of this seems to matter to the voters of Kalamazoo, who have now elected her to the city commission four times.

Phyllis Schlafly on Immigration

Phyllis Schlafly has a long report on the impact of mass immigration on the Republican Party.

How Mass (Legal) Immigration Dooms a Conservative Republican Party

This is a longer, better version of my article from last year.

How to Destroy the GOP in One Easy Step

Alford Out

County commissioner Carolyn Alford will not seek reelection.  She is a democrat who has represented the minority-majority district since 2006.  It isn't clear who will run for this seat, but commissioner Robert Barnard deferred to Alford in 2012.

Kalamazoo County Commissioner Carolyn Alford won't seek re-election in 2014

This means that a majority of the Kalamazoo County Commission will be new next year, as four commissioners are running for state representative, and two are just retiring.  Only two of the remaining commissioners were in office before 2010.  These are Republican Jeff Heppler and democrat John Taylor, who were both elected in 2002.  They are probably the favorites to be the leaders of the commission next year.

Brimelow on Snyder

Peter Brimelow of Vdave weighs in on the Governor's immigration plan.

Dave Agema vs. Betsy DeVos, MI Gov. Rick Snyder = America vs. Plutocrats

Significantly, Snyder's speech also highlighted his plan to attract "immigrants" to Michigan, a policy so ludicrous it can only have come from believing the Wall Street Journal editorial page:

Snyder also will soon issue an executive order creating the Office for New Americans, joining two other states that have put immigration services under one roof.

His administration has applied to make Michigan the second state government along with Vermont to run a regional center for the EB-5 visa program, with the goal of attracting talented immigrant entrepreneurs. The EB-5 program designates businesses to recruit foreign investors for development projects — the investors get permanent U.S. residency for themselves and their families.

"If someone has the opportunity to come to our country legally, let's hold our arms open and say, 'Come to Michigan, this is the place to be,'" Snyder said.

This enabled Senate Minority Leader Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat, to make the obvious riposte:

"I think most people in Michigan are scratching their heads a little bit saying, 'Why do we need to import degree holders?' What about ... giving our kids the degrees so they can do the jobs he's claiming to try to lure to Michigan?"

Michigan GOP Governor Unveils Plan To Attract Immigrants To The State, Fox News Latino, January 17, 2014.

To quote our James Kirkpatrick:

[T]he ultimate battle for the soul of the GOP lies ahead. And the battle lines are becoming increasingly clear. One future is as a nationalist, populist, pro-worker Republican Party. On the other is a party of Politically Correct corporate lobbyists, hoping to squeeze out a close victory (or at least more consultant fees) for a few more election cycles.

Snyder doesn't want to "divide" Michiganders. He just wants to immiserate them.

How do You Keep 'em in Detroit?

Steve Sailer asks the obvious question about Governor Snyder's plan to repopulate Detroit with immigrants.  How do you keep 'em in Detroit once they've seen Paree Oakland County?

---------------------------------------

U.S. Border Unenforceable, But Detroit's 8 Mile Road Is Airtight?

To encourage other Americans to move to Detroit would be racist, so the white Republican governor of Michigan is attempting to elect a new people in Detroit by demanding from the Obama Administration special visas for immigrants to Detroit, whom it would be racist to question. 

From the New York Times:

Immigrants Seen as Way to Refill Detroit Ranks 

By MONICA DAVEY 

Gov. Rick Snyder of Michigan on Thursday announced plans to seek federal help in bringing 50,000 immigrants to the bankrupt city over five years as part of a visa program aimed at those with advanced degrees or exceptional abilities in science, business or the arts. 

Under the plan, which is expected to be formally submitted to federal authorities soon, immigrants would be required to live and work in Detroit ...

We are constantly told that the U.S. border, unlike say the Finnish or Israeli border, is impossible to enforce. Yet 8 Mile Road, the northern municipal boundary of Detroit, is apparently seeded with landmines or something because nobody seems to wonder how the new visa-holders will somehow be corralled permanently in Detroit instead of quickly moving to Birmingham, MI or Ann Arbor or San Diego or some other place in the U.S. nicer than Detroit.

John Zull Retiring

County Commissioner John Zull will retire at the end of his term.  Zull has represented Eastern Portage since 2000.  Before that, he was a Portage city commissioner.  He won reelection by a fairly narrow 52-47 margin in 2012.

Zull has been a solid conservative during his time in office and deserves the thanks of conservatives in Kalamazoo County.

Kalamazoo County Commissioner John Zull announces he won't seek re-election in 2014

KRESA Surtax is Back

The KRESA surtax will be for renewal in May.

Kalamazoo school board votes to put renewal of countywide school tax on May 6 ballot

This blog has covered this tax for several cycles. In 2005, the three-year tax was billed as a one-time fix.  In 2008, it was billed as a renewal of an existing tax.  The same was true in 2011, and the same will be true this year. The same arguments against it then are still valid now.

2011: Vote NO on the KRESA Tax Hike
2008: Stop the KRESA Tax
2007: Still More Tax Increases

Upton on Immigration

Some house Republicans are plotting amnesty and more legal immigration to compete with American workers.

"Next week, The GOP's are going on an issues retreat and immigration will be a front burner issue. I expect us to agree on a number of principles that will then couple to legislative issues regarding border security, H1B visas, Ag workers, "Dreamers (these are the very young that came years ago with their parents), and perhaps a few more--In other words, smaller issues and not a huge comprehensive 1,500 page bill or so. I have made this a priority for me to help organize a bi-partisan coalition to get these passed hopefully starting by the end of February."

Club for Growth hits Brian Ellis

Fox to Run Henhouse?

Western just appointed a new director of academic collective bargaining.

Western Michigan University appoints Nancy Mansberger director of academic collective bargaining

What are her qualifications?

Mansberger served as vice president of WMU's chapter of the American Association of University Professors for 2011-12 and was a grievance officer for the chapter for three years.

So a former union official is now in charge of bargaining with the unions on behalf of the university?  Seems like a conflict of interest.

The Best of The Western Right: 2013

This blog was less busy this year but still covered many topics. We had 115 posts this year. Here are some of the best posts of 2013.

2014 Michigan Primary Election Preview
2014 Michigan Congressional Races
2014 Michigan State Senate Elections
2014 Kalamazoo County Commission Election Preview
2013 Kalamazoo Election Preview

Conservative of the Year: Jeff Sessions
Recall the Alamo?
Portage Council Split
2012-2013 ACU Michigan Legislature Ratings
Wenke Running for Senate
No War for ???
Sean McCann Wants Unaccountable Redistricting
Fools for Trayvon
9-4 Michigan Congressional Map in 2020
My Immigration Plan
Gary Peters' Corrupt Bargain
How to Destroy the GOP in One Easy Step
Michigan Republicans did not lose 62% of Partisan Races
Carl Levin Out, Many Interested
Upton Wants to Give Illegal Aliens "Legitimacy"
Jeffrey Getting: Flip-flopper or Lying Weasel?

Previous:
The Best of The Western Right: 2012
The Best of The Western Right: 2011
The Best of The Western Right: 2010
The Best of The Western Right: 2009
The Best of The Western Right: 2008
The Best of The Western Right: 2007
The Best of The Western Right: 2006

2013: The Year at Western

2013 was a fairly quiet year at Western, though there were a few significant controversies. Progress continued toward establishing a new medical school in downtown Kalamazoo.

Jack McHugh argued that Western could be damaged by the bursting of the college bubble.

One major battle was over Right to Work.  The Mackinac Center exposed an effort by WMU-AAUP to thwart right to work. The WMU-AAUP went forward with this effort. However, the administration didn't go along with it. They did approve a contract with part-timers to avoid Right to Work for three years.

The Western Herald sought subsidies through mandatory student fees. There was also an effort to raise fees for an aviation shuttle. Both were approved by small absolute numbers of students.

Governor Snyder appointed two new trustees, one of whom had never even been to Kalamazoo. There was controversy over a plan for a new Valley dining hall, which was eventually scrapped. This blog noted a likely reason that minority enrollment grew at WMU.

There was a major controversy over a supposed pay gap between male and female faculty. This led to wailing and gnashing of teeth. Eventually, WMU-AAUP voted to censure the Provost. Recalculated salary adjustments were eventually issued.

The Gazette discussed whether affiliation with Cooley Law School would be good for Western. Western voted to ban all smoking on campus.

Previous:
2012: The Year at Western
2011: The Year at Western
2010: The Year at Western
2009: The Year at Western
2008: The Year at Western
2007: The Year at Western
2006: The Year at Western

Unz on Race amd Crime

Perhaps the most interesting article of the year was by Ron Unz.  His massive article on race and crime is packed with data and has plenty of interesting contentions.

Race and Crime in America 
The unspoken statistical reality of urban crime over the last quarter century.

Michigan GOP on Christmas

The last couple years, this blog has cataloged what greetings local Republicans use at Christmas.

GOP Leaders: Merry Christmas Happy Holidays!
GOP War on Christmas?

This year's results seem slightly better than last year's.

Rick Snyder: "Happy Holidays"
Brian Calley: "Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays"
Bobby Schotak: "Happy Holidays"
Saul Anuzis: "Merry Christmas"
Bill Scheutte: "Merry Christmas"
Senator Tonya Schuitmaker: "May the joy of the Holiday Season and the blessings of Christmas..."
Speaker Jase Bolger: "Merry Christmas"
Aric Nesbitt: "Merry Christmas"
Kalamazoo GOP: "Merry Christmas"
Todd Courser: "Merry Christmas"
Ron Weiser: "Merry Christmas"

Please post any additional data you have in the comments.

Conservative of the Year: Jeff Sessions

2013 was a year for conservatives to push back against the left.  After the depression following Obama's reelection, the left foolishly pushed for gun control.  Conservatives led by Ted Cruz and Rand Paul led the resistance to the plan, which quickly died in the senate.  Some bills did pass in individual states, but recalls in Colorado pushed back strongly against this.

Senator Cruz also led the resistance to Obamacare.  He led a filibuster in the Senate and encouraged demands for its repeal which led to a temporary government shutdown whose merits are still being debated.  But no conservative can claim credit for the spectacular failure of Obamacare, whose failure has been more dramatic than conservatives dared hope.

But conservatives' biggest defensive victory was the failure of amnesty (comprehensive immigration reform) in Congress despite much hype and pressure by the left.  The chief opponent of amnesty in the Senate was Senator Jeff Sessions of Alabama.  He fought tirelessly against the awful Senate bill, while many other conservative lawmakers preferred to avoid the issue.  Sessions deserves our thanks for leading the fight against this terrible bill.  That makes him this blog's conservative of the year.

Previous winners (including retroactive):
2012: Ted Cruz
2011: Scott Walker
2010: Jim DeMint
2009: Glenn Beck
2008: Sarah Palin
2007: Ron Paul
2006: Jerome Corsi
2005: Tom Tancredo
2004: John O'Neill
2003: Roy Moore
2002: John Ashcroft
2001: George W. Bush
2000: William Rehnquist

Recall the Alamo?

Alamo Township has been the site of a power struggle for several years now.

5 of 6 recall petitions against Alamo Township supervisor, trustee approved by election commission

Longtime Supervisor Bob Vlietstra was unopposed in 2004.  He narrowly survived in the Republican primary in 2008.  He easily survived a recall attempt in 2009.  He finally lost the 2012 Republican primary to Lou Conti.  Most of his allies, except the treasurer, also lost to Conti's "We Care" slate.

The recall attempt had something to do with a new gravel pit that the township didn't really have much choice in accepting.  Beyond that, there didn't seem to be any major issues at stake.

Now the county election commission has approved petitions to recall Conti and longtime Trustee Dawn Potter-Williams.  The allegations are that Conti made lewd gestures toward one of his critics following a board meeting.  He denies this; it seems to be a case of he-said/she-said.  After critics were rowdy at a subsequent board meeting, he abruptly adjourned the meeting with the support of Potter-Williams.

As far as I can tell, there don't seem to be any more substantive issues at stake.  If opponents get the signatures, which seems likely, there will be a recall election in May, unless they resign.  Conti seems eager to fight, but I wouldn't be too surprised if Potter-Williams resigned and let Conti put one of his allies on the board.

All those involved are nominally Republican, but only Potter-Williams has been involved in the local GOP.

Portage Council Split

The Portage City Council is divided.

Richard Ford wins drawing to become newest member of Portage City Council; Jim Pearson named mayor pro-tem

For years, the Portage Council has been fairly harmonious, run by moderate, "good government" types, many affiliates with the Rotary Club.  There was some minor controversy when Margaret O'Brien was elected, criticizing how road assessments were funded, but that eventually died down.

In 2009, Patricia Randall was elected to a two-year term on a platform criticizing the Portage assessor's office.  She got some investigation of the office, but it did not find the problems she believes exist.  This led to conflict with some of the other council members.

In 2011, Randall's absence at several board meetings was attacked by councilman Ed Sackley, but this backfired when she revealed that she was being treated for breast cancer.  She was reelected, and her ally Jim Pearson was elected to an open seat, defeating Cory Bailes, who is an ally of the other board members.

Before the 2013 election, council member Elizabeth Campbell had resigned after she was caught embezzling from the Portage Rotary Club.  The council again appointed Cory Bailes to fill the vacancy until the November election.

Also in 2013, Sackley retired, and Nasim Ansari won the open seat, with Richard Ford finishing fourth.  Ansari was a county commissioner 2002-2012 and city council member before that. Ford is a political newcomer.

After the election, the council had to appoint a new mayor pro-tem, a largely ceremonial position.  The council split 3-3, with Mayor Peter Strazdas and council members Terry Urban and Claudette Reid voting for Urban, and Randall, Pearson, and Ansari supporting Pearson.  The same split was repeated over several votes in multiple meetings.

The council then had to fill Campbell's seat for the next two years.  They again split 3-3, with Randall's group supporting Ford, and the others supporting former Mayor Betty Ongley.  They eventually agreed to pull a name out of a hat, and Ford was selected.  He then broke the tie for vice-mayor 4-3 in favor of Pearson.

It isn't clear whether there are any larger political implications.  None of those involved are democrats.  Only Ansari and Strazdas have had any significant involvement with the Republican party.  Aside from the assessment issue, it isn't clear whether there are any other issues dividing the council.

Time will tell.

Parchment Chickens Out

What's new in Parchment?

Chicken ordinance debate in Parchment heads to zoning board

Parchment city commissioners, sharply divided on whether to keep abreast of a trend toward allowing city dwellers to keep chickens as pets, sent the debate winging its way to the Zoning Board of Appeals on Monday for the next leg of the hen habitation hubbub.

I see what you did there.

Meanwhile, the Posts, of Parchment, whose peccant poultry provoked the predicament, were able to breathe a sigh of relief, being pretty much assured by the commission that no matter what is decided, they will be able to keep their feathered friends.

Alliteration!

The article goes on to divide Parchment city commissioners into "pro-chicken" and "anti-chicken".  Read the whole thing.

WMU Goes Smokeless

Western has adopted a no-smoking policy for the entire campus starting next August.  This is an issue that can reasonably be decided by what the majority of those on campus want.  Nonetheless, it is curious that Western is doing this despite the fact that they didn't enforce their previous policy of no smoking within 25 feet of buildings.

Western Michigan University Board of Trustees approves new tobacco-free policy

Congratulations, Judge Pierangeli

Congratulations to Scott Pierangeli, who was appointed to the Kalamazoo County Probate Court.

Scott Pierangeli, former Kalamazoo County assistant prosecutor, appointed probate court judge

Pierangeli lost a tough race for Kalamazoo County Prosecutor in 2012 to Jeffrey Getting, who fired Pierangeli after winning the election.  Pierangeli was previously secretary of the Kalamazoo GOP 2008-2012.

Another State Senate Candidate

There is another Republican candidate for state senate.

Kalamazoo resident Ron Zuiderveen Jr. announces he will seek state Senate seat

Zuiderveen Jr., who hasn't previously held public office, said in a statement announcing his release that he intends to run as "the people's candidate" because he believes in limited government and personal responsibility.  

Zuiderveen Jr., 46, said a few years ago he was divorced, lost his home to foreclosure and his car was repossessed. He said his handicapped son, Steven, also died around this time.  

But, in the past year, Zuiderveen Jr. says he has rededicated his life to Christianity and felt compelled to run for public office.

His platform isn't too specific, although he sounds fairly conservative.  A first-time candidate is unlikely to beat established politicians such as O'Brien and Wenke, but he could hurt O'Brien if he attracts conservatives upset at her votes on Medicaid expansion and Common Core.

2014 Kalamazoo County Commission Election Preview

This post was last updated October 22, 2014.

Republicans won a 6-5 majority on the Kalamazoo County Commission in 2010. The map is likely to maintain a Republican majority, but several districts will have competitive races. Six incumbents will retire, four to run for state representative.  Only two of the remaining commissioners were in office before 2010.  These are Republican Jeff Heppler and democrat John Taylor, who were both elected in 2002.  They are probably the favorites to be the leaders of the commission next year.

Incumbents are marked below with asterisks. The following post has detailed descriptions of the districts and their political leanings. The numbers given are the percentage the Republican county commission candidate got in 2012, Mitt Romney's 2-party percentage in 2012, and Ruth Johnson's percentage in 2010.

Kalamazoo County Commission Districts.


List of Kalamazoo County Candidates

District 1 [N Kalamazoo] Safe Democrat
R% 2012: 13.9 Romney: 13.5 Johnson: 20.3
Democrat: Stephanie Moore
Republican: none
Carolyn Alford, who has held office since 2006, is retiring. She defeated fellow incumbent Robert Barnard in this minority-majority district in 2012.  Moore is a Kalamazoo city commissioner who has been convicted of several crimes over the years.  She won the primary with 55% over Barnard (21%), Vicki Cohn (13%), and Rico White (11%).

District 2 [SE Kalamazoo] Safe Democrat
R% 2012: 0 Romney: 28.1 Johnson: 33.4
Democrat: Kevin Wordelman
Republican: David Lee
Incumbent David Buskirk, who is the board vice-chairman and has held this seat since 1992, retired to run for the democrat nomination in the 60th state house district, which he lost. Wordelman, a union organizer at WMU, defeated Jeremy Orr 68-32 in the primary.

District 3 [SW Kalamazoo] Safe Democrat
R% 2012: 31.1 Romney: 30.1 Johnson: 37.2
Democrat: John Taylor*
Republican: Sonjalita Hulbert
Taylor, who was first elected in 2002 by 13 votes, is safe here.  He was recently elected chair of the Kalamazoo democrat party.  Hulbert is a black conservative.

District 4 [Kalamazoo Twp, Parchment] Safe Democrat
R% 2012: 32.2 Romney: 31.7 Johnson: 41.8
Democrat: Michael Seals*
Republican: none
Seals, who defeated fellow democrat Franklin Thompson in 2010, is unopposed.

District 5 [Alamo, N Oshtemo, NW Kalamazoo Twp] Likely Democrat
R% 2012: 44.3 Romney: 47.2 Johnson: 56.9
Democrat: Julie Rogers*
Republican: Chuck Ybema
Rogers defeated David Worthams in 2012 to win this swingy open seat.  Ybema was the Republican nominee for state rep in the 60th district in 2008 before moving here.

District 6 [Cooper, Richland, Ross] Safe Republican
R% 2012: 54 Romney: 54.7 Johnson: 62.9
Democrat: none
Republican: Jeff Heppler*
Heppler has been on the board since 2002. In 2012, he defeated Tom Novak, who had applied for an open seat claiming to be an independent and received the votes of all the democrats. Heppler won the 2014 primary with 53% over Linda Winters (29%) and Neal Turluck (17%), who finished third in the 2012 primary.

District 7 [Comstock, Galesburg, Charleston, Climax, Wakeshma] Lean Republican
R% 2012: 50.9 Romney: 50.6 Johnson: 59.3
Democrat: David Burgess
Republican: Roger Tuinier*
Tuinier, who is a greenhouse owner, barely defeated Leroy Crabtree in 2012.  Crabtree defeated Republican incumbent Joe VanBruggen 50.7-49.3 in 2006. He was defeated by Ann Nieuwenhuis in 2008 54.5-45.5, and lost a rematch in 2010 61.9-38.1.  Burgess is a Comstock Township Trustee who finished fourth of eight candidates in 2012.

District 8 [Pavillion, Brady, Schoolcraft, Prairie Ronde] Safe Republican
R% 2012: 100 Romney: 55.1 Johnson: 63.5
Democrat: Bret Willis
Republican: John Gisler
Moderate Republican board chairman David Maturen, who has been on the board since 2002, is running for state house in the 63rd district.  Former commissioner John Gisler, who deferred to him in the 2012 Republican primary, is running this year.

District 9 [Texas, SE Oshtemo] Safe Republican
R% 2012: 53.9 Romney: 51.7 Johnson: 62.5
Democrat: Scott Spicer
Republican: Dale Shugars
Brandt Iden, who was elected in 2010, is running for state house in the 61st district.  Shugars is a conservative former state senator (1994-2002) and state rep (1990-1994).  He won 72% to moderate Brian Kovacik's 28%.  Spicer lost a dem primary for county commission in 2010.

District 10 [W Portage] Likely Republican
R% 2012: 52.8 Romney: 49.4 Johnson: 58.8
Democrat: Larry Provancher
Republican: Stan Runyon
Conservative Republican Phil Stinchcomb defeated democrat Michael Quinn 56.4-43.6 in 2010, and defeated Connor Farrell in 2012.  Stinchcomb lost a bid for state house in the 61st district.  Runyon is the Kalamazoo GOP Treasurer.  Provancher, who is 78, was a democrat county commissioner representing central Portage 1995-2002.  He defeated Mary Roscoe 61-39 in the primary.

District 11 [E Portage] Likely Republican
R% 2012: 52.5 Romney: 47.5 Johnson: 56.5
Democrat: Jamie Jager
Republican: Scott McGraw
John Zull, who has been on the board since 2000, is retiring. In 2012, he defeated Jamie Jager, who was nominated as a write-in.  McGraw formerly worked for the Kalamazoo Homebuilders Association and now runs the Kalamazoo Business Alliance.

Obamacare in Kalamazoo

A disaster, just like everywhere else.

Obamacare enrollment in Kalamazoo area lags, 'execution has been a nightmare'

Obamacare's impact on Kalamazoo residents: 'We're in the worst spot we could be'

Spending in Oshtemo

Oshtemo will be taxing more and spending more.

Oshtemo Township board approves 1 percent pay hike for officials, increases meeting pay for trustees

The board voted Tuesday to raise the salaries for the supervisor, clerk and treasurer 1 percent to $64,653 each.  

The trustees’ annual salary of $2,400 was approved unchanged.

Their per-meeting pay for township board meetings will go from $50 to $100, while their committee meeting pay will stay at $50 per meeting.

Oshtemo Township raises assessments for police protection, looks to put more deputies on patrol

The township board voted unanimously Tuesday to set the rates at 1.25 mills for the residential, agricultural and industrial properties in district 2009-1 and 3.25 for the commercial, multi-family and high-density residential properties in district 2003-1.

Currently, district 2009-1 pays 0.5 mills and district 2003-1 pays 2.5 mills.

With the change in rates, the owner of a home with a market value of $144,000 -- the average in Oshtemo Township – will pay $90 a year, up from $36 currently, starting in 2014.

For a commercial property with a market value of $736,086 -- the average in Oshtemo -- the change means a tax increase from $954 to $1,240 annually. For a multi-family property with a market value of $2,471,784 -- the average in Oshtemo -- the change means an increase from $3,089 to $4,016.

Another candidate in 63

Marshall school board president Vic Potter is the second candidate to run for the Republican nomination in the 63rd district after Dave Maturen.

Marshall school board president files for 63rd District seat

UPDATE: Marshall school board president Victor Potter announces run for 63rd District state House seat

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.

Election Results

All the incumbents were reelected in Kalamazoo.  Bobby Hopewell won a fourth term as Mayor and sixth on the commission.  David Andersen will be vice-mayor, succeeding Hannah McKinney, who retired.  The other incumbents in descending order were Don Cooney, Barb Miller, Robert Cinabro, and Stephanie Moore.  The seventh seat will go to former democrat county commissioner Jack Urban.  The runners up were Tracy Hall, Jeff Weisman, Nicholas Boyd, Rico White, Mike Perrin, E Allen Hayes, Birletta Bean-Hardeman, Fred Lawrence. Republicans remain shut out here.

In Portage, Pete Strazdas was reelected Mayor unopposed.  Incumbents Claudette Reid and Terry Urban finished first an third.  Republican former county commissioner Nasim Ansari finished second; he will fill the seat of Ed Sackley.  Richard Ford finished fourth. This could be important, as there is an open seat following the resignation of Elizabeth Campbell, and the runner up is commonly appointed to an open seat in Portage. Unqualified 25-year-old democrat Connor Farrell finished a disappointing fifth.  Kevin Park was sixth.

There were a bunch of other elections scattered across the country. See this excellent roundup from RedRacingHorses:

http://www.redracinghorses.com/diary/3411/election-2013-the-morningafter-rounup

Goodacre Running in 60

The 60th district race already has David Buskirk and Jon Hoadley, and it's getting more crowded.

Kalamazoo Township Trustee Pamela Goodacre announces 2014 state House run

"Earlier this year members of our local and state community approached me to discuss the need for my candidacy to run for the Michigan 60th District House of Representatives," said Goodacre, who revealed in September that she was considering a run. "After much consideration and prayer, I am very excited to announce my decision to step up to the challenge."

Goodacre currently works as an intermittent lecturer for the University of Michigan and has served as a Kalamazoo Township Trustee since 2012. She said her work as an educator has made her want to be a voice for education in the state.

"As an educator, I believe in the necessity for not only job creation but also training, education and job preparation," Goodacre said. "I stand firmly for social justices, education and job creation."

Goodacre said she is trying to step up to provide more Democratic voice in Lansing for those she believes are underrepresented.

"In the past, I have been a strong advocate for families, women and children’s rights, public education, sensible gun laws, a living wage, and issues of equality, diversity and inclusion," she said. "These 21st Century issues warrant different actions and a different dedication."

Phil's In

County commissioner Phil Stinchcomb is officially running for state rep in the 61st district.

Kalamazoo County Commissioner Phil Stinchcomb announces 2014 state House bid

"I am motivated by three reasons -- 1) Valerie, 2) Tyler, 3) Michael -- My three children," Stinchcomb said in a press release. "I cannot stand back and watch progressives of Lansing or Washington D.C. steal our posterity's future."

What could that be a reference to?

UPDATE:


Previous: Phil Stinchcomb for State House

Upton for Amnesty, Again

The stupid party strikes again.

Congressman Fred Upton says he will be part of 'bipartisan effort' to pass immigration reform this fall

A bipartisan approach has more chance of success than trying to persuade hard-liners in the Republican caucus, he said.  

"There are people that will never be a yes vote," he said. "There are some that want to send all 11 million home. That doesn't happen ... Let's just take that off the table."

Let's not.  Bipartisanship is when democrats and Republicans get together to screw the public.

Upton, however, stopped short of calling for a pathway to citizenship, saying, "We need somewhat of a pathway to legal status."

No citizenship would protect Republican politicians (for a while, anyways), but would leave illegals free to take your jobs.