Lena Epstein Outraises Establishment Congressman Fred Upton In US Senate Race

Epstein gives an interview with Fox 2 while attending an event for "Michigan Trump Republicans"

By Brandon Hall

(Email Him At WestMIPolitics@Gmail.com)

Small business owner and former Michigan Trump Co-Chair Lena Epstein raised nearly half a million dollars in just 5 weeks towards her campaign to win the Republican nomination for United States Senate.

Epstein says she's ready to take on far-left Senator Debbie Stabenow in 2018.

"We are thrilled with the success we had in only five weeks, and credit it to conservatives across Michigan who want an outsider with business experience to take the fight directly to Debbie Stabenow," Epstein said. 

Epstein, who took in $465,000, even outraised Rep. Fred Upton, who brought in around $350,000.

Upton epitomizes the swamp in Washington DC and is a favorite of establishment Republicans who are pushing for him to run. He frequently defies President Trump and has one of the worst Republican voting records in Congress, consistently voting for liberal policies that leave the conservative base outraged.

The DC swamp salivates over the thought of an "Upton For Senate" campaign the way most guys drool over Upton's niece, model Kate Upton. 

Epstein says she supports "America First" policies, and as a Senator, she will focus on creating jobs for Michiganders. 

"As the next United States Senator from Michigan, I will support America First economic policies that create jobs and grow the American middle class, and will defund sanctuary cities," Epstein said. "My experience in the automotive industry and leading a company with over 200 employees gives me a solid understanding of what it takes to create jobs in Michigan." 

Epstein is currently running against former Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Bob Young, but someone far more exciting than the former Judge caught the nation's eye recently: musician Kid Rock says he may run for the seat.

Epstein welcomed Kid Rock to the race in a Facebook statement and online ad.

"Hey Kid: Welcome (to) the party! I hope we have the opportunity to campaign across the state together and talk about all the reasons we need to take the fight directly to Debbie Stabenow, defund sanctuary cities, and implement pro-growth America First economic policies," Epstein said. "Let's work all summer long! The more attention we can bring to the need to defeat Debbie Stabenow the better off we will be in November of 2018!"

Epstein has been very visible on the campaign trail since her announcement, including speaking at many events hosted by Michigan Trump Republicans, a grassroots group dedicated to supporting President Trump.

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Brandon Hall is a lifelong political nerd from Grand Haven, and is the Managing Editor of West Michigan Politics.

>>>Email him at WestMIPolitics@Gmail.com
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Recall Against Spring Lake Village President Joyce Verplank Hatton Will Be Rejected

Joyce Verplank Hatton

By Brandon Hall
(Email Him At WestMIPolitics@Gmail.com)

A recall hearing regarding Spring Lake Village President Joyce Verplank Hatton will take place Wednesday afternoon, and given the language that was filed, the Ottawa County Election Commission must reject it.

The recall was filed by Spring Lake business owner Michelle Hanks, who, along with her husband, owns Seven Steps Up. 

The OCEC is comprised of Ottawa County Treasurer Brad Slagh, Judge Mark Feyen, and County Clerk Justin Roebuck.

Hanks opposes Hatton's 5 year crusade to disincorporate the village and merge with Spring Lake Township. Hatton says the fact that Village residents have to pay taxes to both entities is unfair.

Recall language is reviewed with two criteria in mind: whether or not the information is clear, and whether or not the information is factual. The Hatton recall fails on both counts.

First, it alleges that Hatton made "inappropriate comments" when she compared the growing police state in Spring Lake and across the country to what happened in Nazi Germany. (Spring Lake Village manager Chris Burns, at the same meeting, escaped scrutiny despite calling some SLV residents "rednecks.")

"Inappropriate" is subjective, it's an opinion, it is neither clear nor factual. That alone is enough to throw the recall out. 

However, the 2nd portion is also problematic. 

The argument that disincorporation poses a "significant cost" to taxpayers is at best another subjective opinion based on selective facts, and at worst, completely incorrect. Disincorporation will save Village residents money, there is no "significant cost." Even if there was a cost, whether or not it's "significant" is a matter of opinion.

Hatton responded to opponents in a recent letter to the Grand Haven Tribune. 

"As anticipated, opponents of Spring Lake Village disincorporation filed a recall petition to remove me from my seat as the village president," Hatton said. "The small group hiding behind the recall includes government employees and contractors who want to keep the taxpayer-funded, cash-guzzling gravy train known as the "Village of Spring Lake" operating for their personal benefit. I need not respond to this group any longer. The right to disincorporate is on the ballot. The voters will respond to them in the Aug. 8 election. If the voters want extra taxes and more government, that is their choice. If the voters want to recall the village president, that is their choice, as well. I'm not contesting a recall."

>>>Read the rest of Hatton's letter below:

"Like the media mavens who told us Hillary Clinton had the national election "in the bag," the Tribune has been playing along with a loud, pro-government minority. Fortunately, neither the Tribune nor the small band who benefit from the village's continued existence will decide the issue.

That is one of the miracles of our democracy. People vote in private, and in silence. And most Americans do not feel the need to tell anyone how they intend to vote, or how they voted.

When the village voters step into the booth on Aug. 8, they will know what to do. With only a month to go until election day, the village and the township are mailing their tax statements. The village tax is substantial. For example, the village wants over a thousand bucks for a modest, ground-floor, two-bedroom, two-bath condo — on top of a full share of township taxes. It isn't hard to imagine how this completely unnecessary double tax impacts the majority of folks trying to raise families in our town."

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Brandon Hall is a lifelong political nerd from Grand Haven, and is the Managing Editor of West Michigan Politics.

>>>Email him at WestMIPolitics@Gmail.com
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Inman Says Lobbyists Don't Like Calley Part Time Legislature Proposal, Claims Lawmakers Can't Live Off $10k A Month

By Brandon Hall
(Email Him At WestMIPolitics@Gmail.com)

Traverse City area State Rep. Larry Inman says he opposes Lt. Governor Brian Calley's proposal to cut legislator pay and enact a part time legislature.

Calley's proposal slashes the pay of Lansing politicians in half, putting it on par with what a teacher would make for the same amount of work.

In an interview with MIRS, Inman says he and other legislators can't afford the pay change and could have difficulty finding other work. 

Apparently $10,000 a month just isn't enough to make ends meet.

"Who is going to run for this office for 90 days and $30,000 when you typically spend $70,000 in a primary and $70,000 in a general election," Inman said. "And then when you come home you have to find a job?"

Perhaps Inman could land a gig finding the truth about Amelia Earhart?

Inman says the Calley plan is opposed by lobbyists trying to influence the government on behalf of their clients.

"There aren't a lot of legislators and lobbyists that are real excited about his initiative," Inman said.

While the proposal isn't popular with politicians and special interests, polling shows it is popular with Michiganders.

One survey shows nearly 70% of those polled back the plan.

More information about Calley's plan can be found at CleanMIGovernment.org

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Brandon Hall is a lifelong political nerd from Grand Haven, and is the Managing Editor of West Michigan Politics.

>>>Email him at WestMIPolitics@Gmail.com
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Breaking: Kid Rock Launches US Senate Website

By Brandon Hall
(Email Him At WestMIPolitics@Gmail.com)

Kid Rock has launched a website teasing a bid for United States Senate.

With taglines like "get in the Senate and try to help someone," as well as "you never met a politician quite like me," Kid Rock, whose real name is Robert Ritchie, may be more serious about a US Senate campaign than previously believed.

Sitting in a chair with a "Made In Detroit" flag in the background, the picture is captioned, "are you scared?"

It could also be a great publicity grabbing move while selling some merchandise. Items for sale include hats, shirts, bumper stickers, and yard signs.

Regardless of his intentions, the new site has got people talking.

The musician confirms in a tweet the site is his and it's real.

"I have had a ton of emails and texts asking me if the website is real...The answer is an absolute yes."

He also says "Stay tuned, I will have a major announcement in the near future."

Records show the website was registered earlier this year in February.

Current challengers to Michigan Sen. Debbie Stabenow, up for re-election in 2018, currently include business owner Lena Epstein, and former Michigan Supreme Court Justice Bob Young.

Check out some pictures below:

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Brandon Hall is a lifelong political nerd from Grand Haven, and is the Managing Editor of West Michigan Politics.

>>>Email him at WestMIPolitics@Gmail.com
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Breaking: Traverse City Won't Become A Sanctuary City For Illegal Immigrants

Andy Marek and others speak out against sanctuary city status during a meeting of the Traverse City Human Rights Commission (Photo by Jason Gillman)

By Brandon Hall
(Email Him At WestMIPolitics@Gmail.com)

Traverse City won't become a sanctuary city for illegal immigrants.

That's what the city's Human Rights Commission has decided after months of contentious debate, with most residents opposing the move.

According to 9+10 News:

"The Human Rights Commission of Traverse City says that they will continue to promote diversity and inclusiveness, but the city will not be declared a sanctuary city.

An Ad Hoc Committee was formed to explore designating Traverse City as a sanctuary city.

The organization has been advised by local officials that the city does not appear to be a destination for undocumented immigrants.

The Human Rights Commission says it will continue to support immigration and the rights of all residents, but the city will not become a sanctuary city."

An overflow crowd speaks out against sanctuary city status during a Traverse City HRC meeting (Photo by Jason Gillman)

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Brandon Hall is a lifelong political nerd from Grand Haven, and is the Managing Editor of West Michigan Politics.

>>>Email him at WestMIPolitics@Gmail.com
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State Senator Ted Fricano? Rumors Swirl Over West Michigan Pizza Mogul's Candidacy In Race To Replace Meekhof

Ted Fricano rallies the crowd in Holland before Mike Pence hits the stage (Photo by DarKen Photography)

By Brandon Hall
(Email Him At WestMIPolitics@Gmail.com)

State Senator Arlan Meekhof will be termed out in less than 18 months, and the Republican primary in August 2018 will decide his replacement given the electoral makeup of Ottawa County.

So far, only former State Rep. Joe Haveman has officially declared, but sources tell WMP that State Rep. Roger Victory will be jumping in the race soon. Holland State Rep. (D)aniela Garcia is also expected to join the fight.

Victory is the preferred choice of conservatives among that group, but they'd like to see someone else enter the race. Jon Sorber, CEO of Two Men And A Truck, says he's staying out, but will support conservative candidates behind the scenes.

One name that keeps popping up: Ted Fricano.

Fricano, owner of Fricano Place in Muskegon, is one of the most well known businessman in West Michigan, and Fricano's is considered one of the best pizza joints in the state.

Fricano, a Spring Lake resident, hasn't been shy about his political involvement in the last year and a half.

He hosted a "Platform and Politics" meeting in conjunction with the Michigan Conservative Coalition last June to allow community members to discuss what they believe the Republican Party's platform should entail. 

He organized a rally later that summer to spotlight the need to improve Muskegon after comments he made at a Muskegon City Commission meeting went "viral."

Fricano was also an Ottawa County Co-Chair last fall for the Trump campaign.

When Vice President Mike Pence held a rally in Holland just days before the election, Fricano riled up the crowd with his speech during the pre-program.

Fricano was unavailable for comment, but the West Michigan pizza mogul has many encouraging him to run.

 "I don't know what Ted will do, but I'd love to see him get in the race," said Diane Schindlbeck, founder of West Michigan Republicans. 

"Ted is exactly the type of person we need in Lansing, Schindlbeck said. "He's a successful businessman,  a strong conservative who unapologetically supported Donald Trump from the beginning, and he is one of the most caring, hardest working people you would ever meet. He would be a leader for the people of Ottawa County and a champion for grassroots Republicans who feel left behind by the Lansing status quo."

A conservative outsider from the private sector is appealing to many Ottawa County Republican primary voters-Fricano entering the race would be HUGE. 

Given his name ID, grassroots support, fundraising ability, and earned media potential, he would be an instant front-runner despite his lack of political connections and experience in government.

2018 is shaping up to be a hell of a year, stay tuned!

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Brandon Hall is a lifelong political nerd from Grand Haven, and is the Managing Editor of West Michigan Politics.

>>>Email him at WestMIPolitics@Gmail.com
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Leonard Hosts Grassroots Appreciation Lunch As Attorney General Speculation Heats Up

Dennis Marburger, left with Tom and Jenell Leonard, and Paul Taros, right

By Brandon Hall
(Email Him At WestMIPolitics@Gmail.com)

It's one of Lansing's worst kept secrets: Speaker Tom Leonard is widely expected to seek the Republican nomination for Attorney General in 2018.

Leonard is in an excellent position to win the nomination, arguably the most conservative Speaker of the House in modern Michigan political history, a feat that makes him very popular with the Precinct Delegates who will decide the race.

 His rumored competition? State Senator Tanya Schuitmaker... (Look for a lot more on this race in the coming months.)

Leonard is keeping a busy schedule, and is regularly seen at GOP events across the state.His wife Jenell and daughter Hannah are often by his side, and they are quite a hit with people in attendance.

The Leonard family didn't have to go far on Saturday though, hosting a grassroots appreciation lunch at their home in DeWitt Township. The Speaker's mother in law even did the cooking.

>>>Check out some photos (by Mike Farage unless noted) from the event below:

Leonard, right, with Jeff and Brenda Jones

MIGOP Coalitions Chair Kevin Tatulyan with CJ Galdes

Jennifer Oram with Tom and Jenell Leonard, and Dan Pero

Leonard with RNC Committeewoman Kathy Berden

From left: Kevin Tatulyan, Kathy Berden, Robert Donovic, Matthew Hauser, State Rep. Gary Glenn

Photo by Kaylee Mead

Amanda Bernes with State Rep. Lee Chatfield

Thayronne X, with Jeff Jones (Photo by Brenda Jones)

Mike Farage, with Hannah Leonard

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Brandon Hall is a lifelong political nerd from Grand Haven, and is the Managing Editor of West Michigan Politics.

>>>Email him at WestMIPolitics@Gmail.com
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