West Michigan Rising: The Phoenix Rises from the Ashes After The Catastrophe
West Michigan Rising WMR is a community blog for Democrats and progressives in West Michigan. Join up, post your thoughts as comments or diaries, and rise up to build our left coast
Following my earlier analysis of the 2009 Compliance Statements from the Michigan State House, the State Senate is also worth examining. It is important to remember how wide open the Senate is for turnover in 2010, as there are 30 of 38 State Senate seats open. In the past decade, only one state senate incumbent has lost to a challenger (Laura Toy to Glenn Anderson in 2006), underscoring how much easier open seats are to capture.
Figure 1 is a chart displaying the expected competitiveness for Michigan State Senate races. Using the underlying baseline vote from the Michigan Board of Education races over the past four elections (2002-2008), I have also noted the number of times each party has challenged a seat. For example, in Senate District 34, the Democrats have invested party resources in the seat one time, while the GOP has invested in it twice. It quickly becomes apparent that rarely spends money defending or challenging seats in their Safe or Strong category or that of the opposing party.
Virg Bernero is our only hope for retaining the governor's office. Bernero is a fighter: A fighter for working men and women - A fighter for Michigan jobs - A fighter for Michigan's future! He definitely has the fire in the belly and won't be afraid to take the fight to the Republican Party of No. As governor, we won't have to worry about Bernero cutting deals in smoke-filled backrooms with those who would destroy our Michigan way of life, with those who are more interested in scoring political points than in solving the challenges facing our great state. Join me in supporting Virg Bernero for Governor!
People across Michigan are fed-up and angry, and so am I. The clueless leadership at the State Capitol doesn't get it. The so-called leaders in the Washington bubble don't get it either. And the Wall Street wizards who helped put us here definitely don't get it.
We need a governor who will get up every day ready to fight for Michigan workers and families. We need a new vision and a different kind of leadership to get Michigan back on track.
We have the best workforce in America right here but we need leadership as strong as our backs and as innovative as our minds.
With your help, we will overcome today's challenges and forge a new prosperity for the Great Lakes State.
February 1 marks a big day for Michigan political junkies, a day when candidates and officeholders who have filed a candidacy committee to run for office on the state level must file an annual compliance statement (CS). Candidates who have filed for a financial waiver (meaning that they are not going to spend or raise more than $1,000 on their campaign, and will most assuredly lose in their bid for elected office) are not required to file a CS, nor are candidates who have filed after January 1 of the current year. Hence, any candidates who have filed to run for office after January 1, 2010 do not need to file a CS.
Western Michigan University Takes Top $20,000 Prize in the iOMe Challenge; Texas Tech and
St. Norbert College Also Receive Honors and Cash Prizes
After extensive review, a blue-ribbon panel of judges announced today that the winner of the iOMe Challenge - and a cash prize of $20,000 and $1,000 for their faculty advisor - is the team from WesternMichigan University in Kalamazoo, Mich. The winning plan, along with a video from the students, is available at: www.iomechallenge.org. The first runner-up in the competition is the team from Texas Tech University, while the team from St. Norbert College in De Pere, Wis., received honorable mention. Three schools were named finalists: Harvard University, Saint Louis University, and LaGuardia Community College in Long Island City, N.Y.
The iOMe Challenge, which was founded by PAi, (Plan Administrators, Inc.) was created as an exciting and financially rewarding way to engage young people in the development of public policy. The students were asked to suggest changes that would help secure their financial future, start a retirement dialogue across generations and serve as a call to action on Main Street and Capitol Hill.
"These students are decades away from retirement, yet they recognize that action is needed now to secure their future," said Michael P. Kiley, president of PAi. "While still in its infancy, it's our hope the iOMe Challenge will stimulate exciting conversations that will eventually lead to a comfortable and secure retirement for all."
Senator Herb Kohl, (D- Wis.) a supporter of the Challenge and Chairman of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, commented "These students realize that the decisions made by policymakers today will have an impact on their financial future and retirement security down the line. They deserve tremendous credit for getting involved and making their voices heard in the debate. As this competition shows, important dialogue often has its roots far outside of Washington, D.C."
Aside from being an honor for WMU, the reason I write about this is that one member of the team of students is Brad Kent, who serves as Chair of the 6th District Democratic Committee. He's enjoying an event-packed trip to DC along with the other members of his team right now. Congratulations, Brad!
(Welcome Representative Valentine. - promoted by philgoblue)
In November of last year Secretary of State (SOS) Terri Lynn Land declared she was shutting down or consolidating 11 Secretary of State offices. As part of that plan, she announced she would shut down the two Muskegon County offices which provide excellent coverage to the citizens of Muskegon County, in favor of one office located in the southernmost part of our county on Sternberg road. She has since rescinded this plan and reopened the bidding process. This placement would have left a huge gaping hole in coverage for the central part of our county.
Without any public input from the citizens of Muskegon County, public officials, people working at the Muskegon SOS offices, or the owners of the buildings, she announced her "modernization" plan in the press. The lack of transparency used in developing this plan has led to a great many questions about the procedure used to make this decision.
Why were 10 of the 11 consolidations picked in Democratic State House districts? Why during the hard recession are we making it more expensive for citizens to do business with the SOS? What process was used to determine which offices to close? Was it politically motivated? Why did the boundaries from the bid process even include the Sternberg location in the first place? What are the true costs and savings of the Muskegon closings? Was this a strategy to make it harder for poorer voters to register to vote? To get answers to these questions and others I sent Secretary Land specific questions concerning her proposed plan for Muskegon.
Most observers agree that the only road to a Democratic majority in the Michigan Senate runs through Kalamazoo. Now that Campaign Finance Reports are out for 2009, how do the contenders stand?
Raised Spent
Taylor $112,100 $5,769
Totten $133,862 $13,826
Jones $14,463 $3,754
Robert B. Jones, 60th District incumbent Representative, appears (at first glance) to be in third place in fundraising among the Democratic contenders. He also has roughly a $15,000 balance in his House Committee that could be transferred, and presumably being a veteran legislator will be able to raise money as needed.
John Taylor, a veteran County Commissioner, has raised a surprising $112,000. Digging a little deeper, however, $100,000 is a loan to the campaign (presumably from himself), which has not been spent and could be easily returned if it came to that.
Mark Totten is a Kalamazoo native, who received a law degree and PhD. in Ethics from Yale, served in the Justice Dept. in DC, then returned to Michigan and is currently a law professor at MSU. His impressive $134,000 has been raised primarily from his network of Yale and DC contacts.
It may be mildly surprising that Larry DeShazor has not begun raising money for his Senate bid yet, but he jumped in late, and the one-term 61st District Representative should have little trouble raising money in Portage, where he served on the City Council.
Lorence Wenke can presumably write himself a check for whatever is required.
80th District Representative Tonya Schuitmaker raised $148,000 (again, $100,000 from herself), and appears to be well-placed for this run.
So, the numbers are less surprising, and tell us a bit less than appears at first glance.
Bob has been a fantastic, informed, and involved County Commissioner. He deserves to be reelected to a second term.
My election made 2009 a year of new challenges. How to balance work, commissioner duties, and home life; learning the ups and downs of local government; and working with my fellow commissioners to promote the common good.
Some of our successes:
• Kent County passed a landmark farmland preservation resolution supporting our Purchase of Development Rights program. The first of its kind in the state.
• Broke ground on a new recycling center which will double our capacity and make recycling easier.
• Completed the new Dept of Human Services building which will improve our delivery of health, job training and emergency financial services.
• Entered into an agreement with the West Michigan Sports Commission which will build a 12 field baseball complex.
• Held the line on cuts to the Health Dept so that nurse visits to newborns and other important programs could continue.
• Started generating electricity from methane at the South Kent Landfill.
So now I get to the point, which you surely have already deduced. I have decided to run for a second term. Unfortunately, that still requires money. I will deeply appreciate your renewed support. Attached is an invitation to a Chili & Beer Fundraiser February 25th.
Winter Warm Up Chili & Beer fundraiser for County Commissioners
Bob Synk and Pete Hickey
Thursday, February 25, 2010
6:00 - 8:00 PM
Teamsters 406 Union Hall
3315 Eastern Ave SE
One poll, of 845 likely Democratic voters conducted Jan. 20, shows LaGrand besting Dean in the August Democratic primary 37 percent to 13 percent with 51 percent undecided. The poll has a 4 percent margin of error.
A second poll of 1,325 likely voters conducted Jan. 26 shows LaGrand beating Republicans Dave Hildenbrand and Lori Wiersma by an average of 45 to 39 percent with 16 percent undecided. A related poll shows Dean losing to either Republican candidate by an average of 38 percent for Dean and 46 percent for the Republican candidate. That poll has a 3.5 percent margin of error.
Grand Haven, MI - January 18, 2010. Growing up and living in Grand Haven for over 30 years, I would be the first to admit our community has changed - we have become more interconnected with the rest of the County as we have continued to grow. Our citizens depend on the County for valuable services from road maintenance to health care. We need to refocus on our commitments and make sure we continue to deliver what has made Ottawa County so special, but also be aware of our growth, and position us for long term sustainability.
That is why I am running as the Democratic candidate for Ottawa County Commissioner, District 3. By utilizing my strong leadership experience and my understanding of Ottawa County's financial needs I want to facilitate a County Commission reflecting all people in the district, working together to further progress without sacrificing the common good.
On every issue, I will ask myself: am I representing the people of Grand Haven, will this issue empower them or am I placing the needs of business before those of the individual?
There are a core set of values that guide my actions. These are uncomplicated and straightforward beliefs.
•I believe that people should be responsible for their own success, but when by no fault of their own they stumble, it is our duty to help one and other.
•I believe that power concentrated in the hands of one political party, as it is here in Ottawa County, leads to bad government and poor decisions.
•I have always thought that government service is a privilege, not a right.
I may be seen as a political outsider but I am comfortable with that label because I'm free to tell the truth and fight for what's right for all of the people of my district, no matter their political affiliation.
That is the type of Commissioner I will be - free to speak my mind, and act in the best interests of the people I represent.
Please visit my website: www.voteforjeffwilliams.com to learn how you can become involved with my campaign, or contact me at jeff@voteforjeffwilliams.com.
Polls Show David LaGrand Winning Primary and General Election LaGrand up 3 to 1 in Possible Democratic Primary Election
Grand Rapids, Mich. January 28, 2010 - Just three weeks after announcing his candidacy for State Senate, two polls released today show former City Commissioner David LaGrand winning a potential August primary and defeating both likely Republican candidates in November. The primary poll sampled 845 likely Democratic voters and places LaGrand 24 points ahead of his potential opponent. The general election poll sampled 1,325 likely voters and shows LaGrand defeating Dave Hildenbrand and Lori Wiersma by an average of 6 points.
Both polls were commissioned by the LaGrand campaign and were conducted by Main Street Strategies, a respected polling and consultant group. The primary poll was conducted on January 20 and the general election poll on January 26.
In the primary poll, of the 845 asked, 37% would vote for LaGrand, 13% would vote for potential opponent State Representative Robert Dean, and 51% were undecided. If the number of undecided voters breaks at a similar ratio, LaGrand would be up 74% to 26% against Dean. The poll has a 4% margin of error.
In the general election poll, LaGrand defeats both Dave Hildenbrand and Lori Wiersma by an average of 45% for LaGrand and 39% for the possible Republican candidates with 16% undecided. Dean, however, loses to both Republican candidates by an average of 38% for Dean and 46% for the Republican candidates, with 16% undecided. The poll has a 3.5% margin of error.
Joe DiSano of Main Street Strategies commented on the polls, "Dean's chances of winning a Senate primary are a very long shot at best. If the Democrats want to win the 29th Senate seat, then the primary voters polled are correct and David LaGrand is the best candidate."
LaGrand, a former City Commissioner, small business owner and father of four is enthusiastic about the results and looks forward to the campaign. LaGrand said, "The polls demonstrate people are responding positively to my message of using West Michigan values, common sense and a strong business background to reform Lansing and create jobs. The campaign is just beginning and there is a lot of work to be done in the future, but I am humbled that so many people in my community trust me to represent them. I will work hard and listen to citizens every day to continue earning the trust and support of the people of the 29th District."
Brewer told the Free Press he will ask hundreds of top party officials today to call for an “endorsement convention” as a way to give those candidates more months to raise money for their campaigns, and to promote the party’s ticket – whatever that will be.
Those endorsements would virtually assure the candidates’ nomination at the regular state convention during the last weekend of August, Brewer said.
It would be the first time the party has held such a separate convention in an election year to endorse candidates.
This doesn't seem like a bad idea - at first glance. Of course, not knowing the details, we don't know if there's a devil in said details.
Local Residents Call on Senator Levin and Stabenow and the Democrats to Fight for Real Change
WHAT: Rally for Real Change
WHO: MoveOn members, Organizing for America and other local residents
WHERE: Federal Bldg. corner of Ottawa and Michigan NE
WHEN: Tuesday, 25 January, 5:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Press Release:
On Tuesday, local residents will rally at the Federal Bldg. in downtown GR to demand that our Democratic leadership in Washington start fighting for the real change Americans voted for. The emergency rally will call on Democrats to immediately pass a strong health care reform bill, not give up or scale back, as some Democrats have suggested in the wake of the Massachusetts election.
As evidence of voters' call for change, rally participants point to a Research 2010 poll that interviewed voters who supported President Obama in 2008 and either did not vote or supported Republican Scott Brown in last week's election for Massachusetts Senate. The poll showed voters are looking for people to fight for them on the economy and health care. Among the findings:
• 95% of voters said the economy was important or very important when it came to deciding their vote.
• 53% of Obama voters who voted for Brown and 56% of Obama voters who did not vote in the Massachusetts election said that Democrats enacting tighter restrictions on Wall Street would make them more likely to vote Democratic in the 2010 elections.
• 51% of voters who voted for Obama in 2008 but Brown in 2010 said that Democratic policies were doing more to help Wall Street than Main Street.
• Nearly half (49%) of Obama voters who voted for Brown support the Senate health care bill or think it does not go far enough. Only 11% think the legislation goes too far.
Local residents will not only call for real health care reform, but for Democrats to start fighting for working families. They will demand that Democrats stand up to big corporate interests to get the economy working for Main Street, not Wall Street, and invest in job creation to put Americans back to work.
"We're here today to tell Democrats in Washington that it is time to deliver the bold change they promised. If they decide to back off of real health care reform now, they will have learned the absolutely wrong message from the defeat in Massachusetts," said Mike Franz, local coordinator for MoveOn in GR. "Democrats need to stand up for American families rather than caving in to Big Insurance, Wall Street, and other corporate interests."
Fred Johnson, Democratic candidate for the 2nd District House seat (Pete Hoekstra's seat) has been invited, and has accepted, an invitation to a candidate's forum organized by the Holland-Zeeland faction of the West Michigan Tea Party Patriots. All four of the Republican candidates for US House will be in attendance: Wayne Kuipers, former Buffalo Bills tight-end and Holland golden boy Jay Riemersma, Bill Huizenga, of Zeeland and Fruitport businessman Bill Cooper.
Fred Johnson, a former marine, knows what he's getting into. This is a great chance for Fred to get a first shot at mixing it up with his competition.
The forum is being held on Tuesday, February 9, at 7:00 pm, at the Howard Miller Library, 14 S. Church St., Zeeland. We strongly urge all supporters to attend.
This is a public meeting, in a public place. Fred's campaign says they've been assured by the organizers that they are welcome, that they will receive fair, civil treatment, and that they want to hear from Fred.
We must show the same respect and civility. But, let's show up, and show that Ottawa's not as red as they might think!!
Re-charge your video phones -- this should be an interesting night!
With 2010 not even a month old, there have been numerous candidacy filings. Listed below are the candidates in the past month. If you want to see the database with all candidates who have currently filed, please contact me at peterbratt@gmail.com.
State Senate
District 7 (Status: Swing)
This district has seen four candidates emerge, and one depart. Democratic State Representative Marc Corriveau (1/13/2010) and former Democratic Representative Kathleen Law (1/16/2010) have both filed to seek the Democratic nomination.
With Corriveau's entrance into the race former Republican Representative John Stewart (who is running as a Democrat) has departed from the race. Corriveau is an extremely effective legislator who has a reputation for winning tough elections, winning election in 2006 in seat that was thought to be a safe Republican district, although Law might prove to be stiff competition in the a Democratic primary.
Facing either Corriveau or Law will be Republicans Colleen McDonald (1/7/2010) or Abe Munfakh (12/28/2010). Munfakh currently serves as a Trustee on Plymouth Township Board, while judging from Colleen McDonald's twitter feed, she had worked for an auto dealership for 26 years before it was forced to close.
District 10 (Status: Leans Democratic)
This Macomb County district covering Sterling Heights, Utica, Clinton Township, and Roseville has attracted its second candidate to replace term-limited Democratic Senator Michael Switalski (who is seemingly challenging US Representative Sander Levin in the 10th District). As noted by the Macomb Daily News, former Macomb County Prosecutor Carl Marlinga (1/4/2010), has filed for the Democratic primary and immediately became the Democratic front-runner for the seat.
Marlinga will face Macomb County Commissioner Paul Gieleghem, in the Democratic primary. No Republican has yet filed for this seat.
Everyone knows Brandon is a good friend and one of my favorite public servants. Here's his press release:
Brandon Dillon to explore run for state House 2-term Kent County commissioner files paperwork to open exploratory committee
GRAND RAPIDS - Kent County Commissioner Brandon Dillon (D-Grand Rapids) filed paperwork with the secretary of state today to explore a run for the 75th District seat in the Michigan House of Representatives.
Dillon, a two-term Kent County Commissioner, said his proven record of taking on the status quo and reforming government would allow him to have an immediate impact in Lansing if he decides to run for the House.
"We all know times are tough and state government is broken, and it's time we put blind partisanship aside and get Michigan back on track," Dillon said. "As a county commissioner, I have led the charge for critical reforms in the way we do business. People in the Grand Rapids area are demanding bold changes in Lansing , and I will spend the next several weeks listening to their ideas so I can determine if I'm the best candidate to represent our community and help lead Michigan back to prosperity."
Dillon was elected to the Kent County Board of Commissioners in 2006 and re-elected in 2008. During his two terms, Dillon has focused on reforming county government, protecting Grand Rapids taxpayers and investing in long-term economic development.
During his tenure on the County Commission , Dillon has voted against every tax increase and he has consistently opposed increasing fees for basic county services.
The 75th District seat is held by state Rep. Robert Dean (D-Grand Rapids), who is not running for re-election to the House.
It isn't a huge secret that Brandon's exploring will discover that he will run for the 75th -- unless Robert Dean ends up choosing to run for his third term.
Not the best thing for a candidate wanting positive PR for a potential State Senate bid:
GRAND RAPIDS -- Gov. Jennifer Granholm ended her evening Wednesday apologizing to state Rep. Robert Dean, D-Grand Rapids, for a political gaffe.
At two separate events, Granholm was oblivious to the fact former Grand Rapids City Commissioner David LaGrand was not the only Democrat seeking the 29th District Senate seat....
While speaking to the Progressive Women's Alliance at the Women's City Club, Granholm was asked about elimination of the Michigan Promise college scholarship. She cited the Republican-controlled state Senate, and the need to put a Democratic majority in the chamber.
She replied: "That's why we need to elect David LaGrand."
Later at a Kent County Democratic Party mixer at Teamsters Local 406, she again acknowledged LaGrand when talking about securing a Democratic-controlled House and Senate.
Michigan State House Candidates
59, 61, 63, 78, 79, 80, 87, 88, 72, 73, 74, 77, 89, 90, 100, 101, 104 District 60 (Kalamazoo) Sean McCann
Chris Praedel District 61 (Kalamazoo) Thomas Batten District 75 (Grand Rapids) District 76 (Grand Rapids) District 80 (VanBuren)
Tom Erdmann District 91 (Muskegon)
Ben Gillette
Branden Gemzer District 92 (Muskegon)
Marcia Hovey-Wright
L. Scott McNeill
Charles Nash Scott Nesbit Sean Mullully
Steve Markel District 101 (Northwest) Dan Scripps
In November of last year Secretary of State (SOS) Terri Lynn Land declared she was shutting down or consolidating 11 Secretary of State offices. As part of that plan, she announced she would shut down the two Muskegon County offices which provide excellent coverage to the citizens of Muskegon County, in favor of one office located in the southernmost part of our county on Sternberg road. She has since rescinded this plan and reopened the bidding process. This placement would have left a huge gaping hole in coverage for the central part of our county. 