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.