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After years of hard work by many people (especially this election) but none more so than himself, from narrow defeat (2006) to being one of the new faces of Michigan Democratic politics (2008), it brings me great pleasure to post this.
You are cordially invited to attend
the swearing in for
Michigan House of Representatives
STATE REPRESENTATIVE ELECT
DAN SCRIPPS Presiding over the swearing in will be state Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth Weaver
Please join us at
11:00 AM on Monday, December 8, 2008
at the
Leelanau County Government Center
8527 E. Government Center Dr.
Suttons Bay, Michigan
Lisa and I will be here at the Manistee Dems Victory Party in the Northern area of our blog coverage with updates throughout the night. We'll try to get to as many races as we can. Bear with us as we're also doing in house vote updates.
So put that in your pipe, and smoke it Franz campaign!
Pretty good eh?
Let me tell you, it doesn't get much better for a Democratic candidate in Northwestern Michigan than that image (or a candidate of any party for that matter!), and that wasn't a staged campaign stunt either... That was taken at an actual skeet shooting competition that Dan competed in.
Looks like Judy's race is the Hot New Race. This week the CFP seems to have pulled out of Valentine's 91st district since it's looking safer and safer and is instead helping out Truesdell on the air (I had a great conversation with Judy on Sunday and well have her candidate profile up today or tomorrow). You can join in by helping Judy and some of the other Rising Dozen at the WMR ActBlue page.
There are also new CFP ads up for Scripps and Rogers.
Valentine ... has fought hard for the environment and for jobs, has helped boost Michigan's fledgling movie industry, and is a leader in providing constituent service for individuals who turn to her when all other avenues are exhausted.
Active with the Center for Michigan, a bipartisan group leading a statewide effort to develop a common sense agenda for Michigan's future, Scripps is an outdoorsman who impressed our editorial board with his commitment to the Great Lakes and preservation of Michigan's natural resources. As a centrist Democrat, he'll be a good fit for his district.
So after spending the entire week telling local area newspapers that he was sorry his previous hate speech was so grossly misunderstood, and he's gravely sorry if anyone was offended or hurt; 'ole Ray "If there's an opportunity to say homosexual activist, I'll take it; and if there isn't an opportunity, I'll make it" Franz is at it again with yet another homophobic mailer.
This time he not only tries to tie Dan Scripps to Jon Stryker, but also that notorious tax hiker Governor Jennifer Granholm.
Once again, I won't sully our frontpage with images of Ray Franz's hate-filled nastiness, so the scans are after the fold...
The Rising Dozen: Our Top Endorsed Candidates for 2008
We'll we'd meant to get this going back in Labor Day, but stuff always gets in the way at our little all-volunteer group blog. Still, we wanted to get it out and since TODAY is the final financial filing deadline for Michigan State House races, this seems like a last change opportunity.
So, we're now announcing nine of our Rising Dozen candidates for 2008. Each editor has picked three candidates in their coverage area.
But you -- our beloved readers -- also get to pick three candidates in the poll below to get us up to a dozen.
We're always going to write about our candidates as much as possible, but these, for a variety of reasons our the ones we really want to highlight. The reason? They're in important and tight races -- they are helping West Michigan Democrats Rise. There are some other great candidates out there who are close friends of WMR -- Roy Schmidt and Robert Dean (though you can vote for the Reverand in the poll since others may see this as a closer race than I do) -- come to mind, but they're in races that they are going to win, and we want to allocate our few resources to where they will have the greatest benefit.
We encourage you to support these Rising Dozen candidates with your volunteer efforts and by throwing them some cash to pay for those final mailers, radio ads, etc that help push close campaigns over to victory. Some of these candidates now have ActBlue pages so you can give to them via our Rising Dozen ActBlue Page. When you give to via ActBlue, the candidates get to use the money immediately. So, show these candidates who have worked so hard for so long that the readers of West Michigan Rising support them!
Our goal is $1000 in one week. We get about 2,500 readers a week and we have over 240 readers with accounts. We can do it, but only with your help. Yes We Can!
So, here they are The Rising Dozen for 2008 an order I put them in.
(Sorry tcmatt, but I had to cut you down to quotes. Trying to stay on the good side of the law, and keep copyright violations to a minimum here. Check out the full article at the link folks
~ LisainManistee)
The Traverse City Record Eagle recently reported on the nasty mailers that were sent throughout the 101st district. It is a complete destruction of Franz's facts, logic, and ability to understand basic English grammar such as 3rd grade stuff like ... adjectives. Below is the complete transcript of the article (which I hope is OK with the paper, but it's just so darn good and you should all be reading what is probably the best paper in West Michigan):
"Our phones have been ringing off the hook (about the ad)," said Lisa Geise, vice chair of the Manistee County Democratic Party. "It was hateful. People are really mad."
Geise said she and her husband joined the Coalition for Progress because it promotes progressive ideas to create jobs and improve education.
"I don't consider myself an extremist because I want to bring jobs to northern Michigan and improve education," Geise said. "So why is my money dirty?"
"Dan Scripps is a strong candidate and has moved toward the center on a variety of issues. He has run a clean, comprehensive and positive campaign...There is such a thing as a legislative temperament that helps an effective lawmaker build coalitions to get legislation passed or issues resolved. Scripps seems to have more of that temperament than Franz. Scripps seems to have the stuff to be able to do the job."
It also should be noted that the recent Franz mailer did hurt his chances of endorsement from LDN staff:
He (Franz) says what is on his mind, but as a recent campaign mailing demonstrated, maybe he shouldn't always do that so bluntly. Franz is likely more conservative than the district is - but he's made no effort to move to the center, or it seems, to consider other views.
The tables were set. The name placards and tags were out. The moderator was gathering questions from the audience. One problem. Ray Franz decided not to show up. No notice. The League of Women Voters of Leelanau County, a decidedly nonpartisan group had confirmation from Franz that he was going to attend. The LWV has been holding these forums across the district to better educate voters for the upcoming election. I've attended their forums. They run them straight up the middle. So here's the question. If Ray Franz can't answer questions from the citizens of this district now, how are we to expect him to be responsive if he were to be elected?
Ray Franz says that he will represent the people of this area, but then he sends out a nasty, hate filled mailer demeaning a group of people he would have to represent! Franz is running to represent the fringe far right in the 101st District. Not me, not you.
Dan Scripps has been talking to the people of this district for a long time now. He and his campaign go directly to their doors, face to face and talk about the change they want to see. The future of our area and the state of Michigan. Dan Scripps has run a positive, issues based campaign. So while people are concerned and struggling, Ray Franz plays the politics of hate and fear. And ducks out of being held accountable.
(Good for Dan. Scripps is going to continue running a positive campaign that addresses the issues that Michigan families care about. The other side can dirty themselves in the mud all by themselves. - promoted by philgoblue)
There has been a lot of buzz over the weekend about a negative political hit piece put out by my opponent's campaign. The piece, which landed in people's mailboxes on Friday, communicates a message of hate. That goes too far.
I addressed this issue at an event on Saturday, and I wanted to share that with you:
The Manistee News Advocate Editorial Board endorsed Dan Scripps for the 101st State House seat on Saturday. The endorsement comes on the heels of the nasty mailer by the Franz campaign. Did the mailer cost Ray Franz the endorsement of his home county newspaper? Perhaps. But in their endorsement of Dan Scripps the board lays out very clearly why Dan is the best candidate for the seat without mentioning Ray.
"It is our thought that Dan Scripps will be fighting for the best and highest good of the people of this district. Not business. Not Lansing. Not Dan Scripps. All of us out here, who are living our lives, waiting for the other shoe to drop."
"We need someone with a broad perspective, and a few fresh ideas to go to Lansing and make a difference on our behalf. Dan Scripps is that person."
The choice couldn't be clearer. Vote Dan Scripps November 4th. For jobs, schools and the great outdoors. For a New Michigan Now!
Well folks, the 101st State House race just got a WHOLE lot nastier...
My mailman just delivered my mail about 2 minutes ago and what do I find in it?
One of the nastiest and hateful political smears I've ever seen in my life, that's what I found... and I lived in South Carolina during the infamous McCain/Bush republican primary, so that's saying a LOT!
I'll post the images below the fold, because I don't want to sully our front page with this mess, but my headline pretty much sums up the entire piece...
Dan Scripps, Democratic Candidate for the 101st State House District will take part in many debates during October. There is at least one debate in every county of the District(and some regional!) for supporters to attend. So, mark your calendars and help count down the days to Progressive change.
Continuing his people powered campaign, this week Dan Scripps launched his "Standing Up For Seniors" campaign at regional senior citizen centers.
"Michigan seniors should be able to enjoy their retirement years with peace of mind and dignity. In the midst of a turbulent market, many Michigan seniors fear that the money they have saved for retirement may not be enough. Local seniors deserve a State Representative who will stand up for them.
My plan will ensure a secure retirement for all Michigan seniors, hold drug companies accountable and add needed protections from predatory lenders that threaten the ability of seniors to hold on to their homes. Finally, state government must be reformed to ensure accountability to Michigan taxpayers."
Coalition For Progress is airing this ad and similar ads for State House candidates in West Michigan in the 101st for Dan Scripps (above), 61st for Julie Rogers and the 91st for Mary Valentine. You can help keep them on the air by donating here.
This is the first of what I suspect will be a lot of independent ads and support in our House races.
We've developed a ranking system based on the past voting history of the
district, the financials of the campaigns, our (oftentimes limited) knowledge of
the campaign organization on the ground, and the Republican opposition.
We at WMR continue to believe that we're likely headed into a tidal wave
election at the national level -- given the upset wins in Strong Republican
districts in Illinois, Mississippi and Louisiana, the rallying around nominee
Barack Obama, the organizational strength of the Campaign for Change, the
economic crisis, and an anti-incumbent mood -- and believe it is reasonable, if
optimistic, to believe that we'll see that wave filter downticket to the State
House races here in West Michigan. Indeed, we believe that we can increase the
West Michigan Democratic delegation to the House in Lansing from the current
five representatives all the way to ten. That's a big goal, but that's where
we're at: 10 West Michigan Democrats in November 2008!
And we'll look at the races one last time in late October after we've
completed all our Candidate Profiles.
The Basic Rankings 1. Doug Bennett
2. Robert Jones
3. Roy Schmidt
4. Robert Dean
5. Mary Valentine
6. Dan Scripps
7. Julie Rogers
8. Judy Truesdell
9. Mike Huckleberry
10. Bruce Hawley
11. Phyllis Smith
12. Carol Higgins
13. Roman Grucz
14. Bill Richards
etc.
(Yep, Michigan needs to be one of the top 3-5 states when it comes to promoting and investing in alternative energy. - promoted by philgoblue)
(Part 6 in an 11-week economic plan to get Michigan moving again and get our people back to work)
This week's installment of our plan to get Michigan moving again focuses squarely on renewable energy issues and their potential to help get Michigan's economy back on track. I know I've covered much of this before, but with so much action this week on renewable energy - from some long-awaited legislation at the state level to an exciting project to manufacture a new form of wind turbine coming to Manistee - it really does deserve a post all its own.
To start, after a deal was reached on a comprehensive energy package yesterday morning, both the State House and State Senate finally voted to commit to meeting 10% of our energy needs through renewable sources by 2015. Locally, this bill had the support of all three of the individuals who cover the 101st District in Lansing: State Representative David Palsrok (R-Manistee); State Senator Michelle McManus (R-Lake Leelanau); and State Senator Gerald Van Woerkom (R-Norton Shores).
District 20 Kalamazoo Robert Jones District 21 Berrien, Cass, Van Buren
Scott Elliott District 24 Allegan, Barry, Eaton
Michelle DiSano District 28 Kent (part)
Robin Golden District 29 Kent (part) David LaGrand District 30 Ottawa
John Chester District 34 Muskegon, Oceana, Mason, Newaygo Mary Valentine District 35 Northwest LP Roger Dunigan District 37 Grand Traverse & north Bob Carr
Michigan State House Candidates
District 59 (St. Joseph & Cass Counties)
Carol Higgins District 60 (Kalamazoo) Sean McCann District 61 (Kalamazoo) Thomas Batten District 63 (Kalamazoo)
David Morgan District 70 (Ionia & Montcalm Counties) Mike Huckleberry District 72 (Kentwood & Cascade)
Brian Bosak District 73 (Kent County)
Jerrod Roberts District 74 (Ottawa County)
Leon Chase District 75 (Grand Rapids) Brandon Dillon District 76 (Grand Rapids) Roy Schmidt District 77 (Wyoming)
Scott Baron District 78 (Berrien County) Cindy Ellis District 79 (Berrien County) Julee Laurent District 80 (VanBuren) Tom Erdmann District 86 (Kent County)
Frank Hammond District 87 (Barry & Ionia Counties)
Greg Grieves District 89 (Ottawa County)
Donald Bergman District 91 (Muskegon)
Ben Gillette District 92 (Muskegon)
Marcia Hovey-Wright District 100 (Newaygo, Lake, and Oceana Counties)
Donald Bergman District 101 (Northwest) Dan Scripps
County Commissions Candidates
Allegan County Commission
9 Fritz Spreitzer (I)
10 April Carvalho
Barry County Commission
1 Bob Dickinson
Benzie County Commission
3 Kristin Hollenbeck (I)
4 Anne Damm (I)
6 Donald Tanner (I)
Berrien County Commission
3 Marletta Seats (I)
4 Mamie Yarbrough (I)
10 Andrew Vavra (I)
11 Jess Minks
12 Michael Ringler
13 John Klimek (I)
Cass County Commission
1 Ed Goodman (I)
7 David Taylor (I)
9 Judy Helpingstine
11 Clark Cobb (I)
12 Minnie Warren (I)
13 Johnie Rodebush (I)
14 Debbie Johnson (I)
Grand Traverse County Commission
1 Bernol Soutar
Ionia County Commission
1 Lynn Mason (I)
4 Mark Vroman (I)
Kalamazoo County Commission
1 Jack Urban (I)
2 Carolyn Alford (I)
3 Robert Barnard (I)
4 John Taylor (I)
5 Brian Johnson (I)
6 Mike Seals
7 David Buskirk (I)
9 Chuck Vliek
10 Michael Quinn (I)
11 Barb Hammon
12 Scott McCormick
13 Harvey Hanna
15 Leroy Crabtree
16 Thomas Post
17 Jerry Rudolph
Kent County Commission
1 Mary Lauka
2 Patricia Kramer
3 James Black
4 Fred Clowney
6 James Rinck
7 Al Nielsen
8 Keith Courtade (I)
9 Duane Sprague
10 Albert Abbasse
11 Russell Duffin
12 Pete Hickey (I)
13 Kyle Hinton
14 Carol Hennessy (I)
15 Dick Bulkowski (I)
16 Jim Talen (I)
17 Candace Chivis
18 Richard Tormala
19 Bob Synk (I)
Leelanau County Commission
3 Jason Harrall
6 David Marshall (I)
7 Karl Dungjen
Manistee County Commission
2 Marlene E. Wood-Zylstra
3 Glenn Lottie (I)
4 Ervin A. Kowalski (I)
5 Karl R. Waitner
6 Jim Krolczyk (I)
7 Carl Rutske (I)
Montcalm County Commission
1 Ronald C. Blanding (I)
Mason County Commission
5 Jerome Rybicki (I)
8 David Fonnesbeck
Musekgon County Commission
1 Kenneth Mahoney (I)
2 Charles Buzzell (I)
4 James Derezinski (I)
5 Carl Wentzlof
6 Lew Collins (I)
7 Scott Plummer
8 Anthony Longmire
9 Rillastine Wilkins
10 Benjamin Cross
11 John Jurkas
Newaygo County Commission
1 Barbara Geno (I)
5 Rick Werkema
Oceana County Commission
1 David Spitler
5 Evelyn Kolbe (I)
Ottawa County Commission
3 Jeff Williams
Van Buren County Commission
1 Claudia Maddox
3 Al Hughes
The tables were set. The name placards and tags were out. The moderator was gathering questions from the audience. One problem. Ray Franz decided not to show up. No notice. The League of Women Voters of Leelanau County, a decidedly nonpartisan group had confirmation from Franz that he was going to attend. The LWV has been holding these forums across the district to better educate voters for the upcoming election. I've attended their forums. They run them straight up the middle. So here's the question. If Ray Franz can't answer questions from the citizens of this district now, how are we to expect him to be responsive if he were to be elected?
The 