Tom Leonard Enters Governor's Race

By Brandon Hall

(Email him at WestMIPolitics@Gmail.com)

Former Speaker Of The House Tom Leonard is running for Governor.

Leonard made it official in a video announcement featuring his wife and kids earlier this week---after leaking the story to Detroit News Editor Nolan Finley the night before.

Leonard enters a Republican Primary that includes former Attorney General Mike Cox, Senate Republican Leader Aric Nesbitt, and Rep. John James.

Jocelyn Benson leads the Dem field, with Independent Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan the wildcard... 

Much more coming soon!

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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

Parker Fairbairn Leading HRCC For 2026

State Rep. Parker Fairbairn 

By Brandon Hall

(Email him at WestMIPolitics@Gmail.com)

In Lansing, State Rep. Parker Fairbairn has gone from "that kid from up north who beat Neil Friske" to a serious, respected power player who knows how to make moves---and get things done.

Fairbairn's strong effort leading the fight to get Northern Michigan and the UP much needed emergency relief funding after the historic ice storm in March was instrumental in winning over fellow legislators (as well as others) on a personal level who were still on the fence---and now, even Speaker Hall has taken notice.

Last week, Hall appointed Fairbairn to lead the House Republican Campaign Committee for the 2026 election, a high-profile position that will be extremely important in making sure Republicans hold the House next November.

Fairbairn, elected in 2024, lives in Harbor Springs, representing Charlevoix County and Emmet County, as well as portions of Cheboygan, Chippewa, and Mackinac counties.

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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

Private Polling Shows Schuette Leading 35th District State Senate Race By Double Digits

By Brandon Hall

(Email him at WestMIPolitics@Gmail.com)

According to private polling numbers obtained by West Michigan Politics, State Rep. Bill G. Schuette leads all of the rumored Dem candidates in the 35th State Senate district by double digits.

With numbers like that, it doesn't take Encyclopedia Brown to figure out why Whitmer is said to be waiting until May and August of 2026 to hold the special elections in the 35th...

Schuette, who was critical in helping Republicans take back the State House in 2024, could soon find himself having to represent his Midland area State House district while campaigning for not only the special election, but the regular election for the full term as well---ALL AT THE SAME TIME! Not exactly the 3 way dreams are made of...

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

Speaker Hall And House Republicans Are Fighting Back Against “Sanctuaries” For Illegals Across Michigan

 

By Brandon Hall

(Email him at WestMIPolitics@Gmail.com)

As President Trump works hard fighting illegal immigration in Washington DC, Speaker Of The House Matt Hall and the Michigan House Republicans are working hard fighting illegal immigration in Lansing.

Speaker Hall made it clear from the jump, right when he took office earlier this year, that dealing with illegal immigration was a  top priority---and he has already delivered on that promise repeatedly.

First up: no municipality that is considered a “sanctuary” for illegals is eligible to receive any special earmark funding in the upcoming budget. That legislation passed the House in February.

However, Hall and House Republicans were just getting started.

In May, the House passed legislation withholding ALL state revenue sharing payments from any local government that is considered a “Sanctuary” for illegals: the Sanctuary Policy Prohibition Act, and the County Law Enforcement Protection Act.

That moves takes things to a whole new level.

While special earmark spending is important, it’s an extremely small fraction of funding local municipalities receive. The state revenue sharing money is vital.

Without those state revenue payments, local governments would face severe consequences, impacting many services---some couldn’t even open their doors.

Under the proposal, an offending municipality would have 2 months to rescind its sanctuary policy, and start complying with federal immigration authorities.

State Rep. James DeSana voted for the bills. He says action is urgently needed.

“We cannot afford to ignore the consequences of dangerous sanctuary policies we have seen across Michigan,” DeSana said. “From murders to assaults, to child exploitation--- sanctuary policies hurt Michiganders, and prevent law enforcement from doing their jobs.”

State Rep. Cam Cavitt also spoke out in support of the legislation.

“This plan puts public safety and the rule of law first,” Cavitt said. “These bills stop local governments from adopting sanctuary policies that block cooperation with federal immigration authorities and prioritize criminal aliens over their own citizens. The only place an illegal immigrant belongs in Michigan is on a bus back home.”

So, just where are these sanctuaries for illegals throughout our state?

Last month, the Department of Homeland Security released a list of 8 cities and counties that it says are sanctuaries for illegals in Michigan.

Oakland, Wayne, Kalamazoo, Wexford, Kent, and Washtenaw Counties made the list, as well as two cities---Ann Arbor, and East Lansing.

According to The Center For Immigration Studies, Michigan has 9 sanctuary municipalities:

-Kalamazoo County
-City Of Lansing
-Leelanau County
-Muskegon County
-Oakland County
-Washtenaw County
-Wayne County

Recent legislation passed by the State House defines a sanctuary municipality as any county or city that “actively maintains any rule, policy, ordinance, or resolution that would subvert immigration enforcement in any way or that refuses to comply with federal immigration enforcement measures.”

Speaker Hall and House Republicans have put the sanctuaries for illegals across Michigan on notice---and they’re just getting started.

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

10 Things You Need To Know About The Senate Dems Illegal & Unconstitutional Budget

By Brandon Hall

(Email him at WestMIPolitics@Gmail.com)

The Senate’s budget not only has a $1 billion deficit--- making it illegal and unconstitutional---it also makes some SUPERBAD spending decisions, though not in a fun, Michael Cera movie sort of way....

Not only does their budget spend more money than the state has---they spend that money on immensely poor priorities. 

>>>Here are 10 things you need to know about the Senate Dems illegal and unconstitutional budget: 

1.Their total budget amounts to $85.9 billion, spending $3 billion more than the current
fiscal year, and $1 billion more than Governor Whitmer's proposed budget.

2. Even with thousands of fully funded (but unfilled) positions across state government, the
Senate Democrats created and paid for 300 new government bureaucrat positions.

3. The budget Includes a handful of "placeholders" for major issues like implementing the controversial Michigan State Supreme Court decision requiring new sentencing hearings for murderers 20 and younger, and road/infrastructure improvements---a sign they haven’t put in the work, and don’t have a plan. Given that their budget is already overspent, that $3 billion placeholder for roads also suggests a massive tax hike proposal may be on the horizon.

4. The Senate’s DNR budget makes expensive recreational passports mandatory for all vehicles, and sharply increases hunting and fishing license fees, hitting families, outdoor enthusiasts, and everyday drivers with unnecessary new costs. Every driver will pay a new tax on their birthday every year under this plan. Happy Birthday from the Michigan Senate Dems! 

5. The Senate Democrats are doubling down on the radical leftist wet dream of defunding the police. The House proposed a Public Safety Trust Fund that puts ~$115 million of annual funding into public safety every year, in every community all across Michigan, with a focus on those doing a good job trying to bring down major crimes. The Senate budget provides roughly half of that.  

6. The Senate Democrats funnel millions into controversial, unpopular programs, including $10 million for government-funded EV charging stations, $8 million for a pilot program for a new tax on the miles you drive, and $1 million for marijuana ‘social equity,’ whatever the hell that even means! 

7. Their budget also forces DEI reporting requirements onto public universities, and deputizes the Attorney General’s office to take away local funding unless municipalities have sanctuary city-style policies and support for birthright citizenship. 

8. Senate Democrats only fund schools at a $10,008 per-pupil foundation allowance —
less than what House Republicans offered to fund education in the shutdown prevention
plan.

9. The Senate budget creates an uneven playing field by slashing support for students who don’t attend traditional public schools. Public charter cyber schools receive 20% less per
student, mental health and school safety funds are restricted to only certain schools, free
meals are only for some kids, and a $1 million reimbursement for health and safety
mandates at non-public schools is eliminated. 

10. Instead of taking responsibility for their failed corporate welfare policies, Senate
Democrats are pointing fingers at President Trump, and prematurely reacting to federal
proposals — wasting $100 million on a BS “tariff economic relief program” with
no guarantee of need or impact, even though non-partisan fiscal experts said it was
impossible to quantify the impact on the state...

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

Michigan Government Is Headed Towards A Shutdown On October 1st Due To Senate Dems Extremism And Incompetence

By Brandon Hall

(Email him at WestMIPolitics@Gmail.com) 

Make no mistake: through their extremism and incompetence---as reflected in the insane, unconstitutional budget they just passed---Senate Democrats are setting Michigan up for a government shutdown---which they will then try to blame the State House (Specifically Republicans) for. 

Republicans understand they won't get EVERYTHING they want when Dems are in control of the Senate, and Whitmer is Governor---but this Senate budget goes too far.

Already anticipating this months ago, Speaker Matt Hall and the House passed a bipartisan shutdown prevention plan on March 6th to ensure that schools and other vital services are funded even if an agreement is not reached by October 1st.

The Senate refuses to consider the measure, instead passing an unbalanced, unconstitutional budget full of all sorts of BS. 

The Senate could pass the House Republican plan to make sure prisons are staffed, our court system continues running, our amazing Michigan State Police officers remain on the streets, protecting our local communities, and the state’s veterans’ homes continue providing much needed care to those who served. 

Speaker Hall's plan also guarantees local governments receive revenue-sharing payments, so they can keep providing essential services, like police and fire response in local communities while a balanced budget that fixes roads, reverses the Democratic income tax hike, brings state employees back to work instead of sitting at home, and addresses other important priorities, is negotiated. 

Senate Democrats should have done the right thing with their own budget instead of passing their budget the day before the Senate Fiscal Agency released its economic outlook report, or two days before the Consensus Revenue conference none of them bothered showing up for---they could’ve held onto their bills, learned what changes needed to be made, and passed a balanced budget---a requirement of the Michigan Constitution.

When Michigan government shuts down October 1st, Dem Senators will have no one but themselves to blame!

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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

🚨Breaking: Governor Whitmer Announcing Plan For Special Election In The 35th State Senate District🚨

By Brandon Hall

(Email him at WestMIPolitics@Gmail.com)

West Michigan Politics has learned that Governor Gretchen Whitmer is planning to announce a Special Election in the 35th State Senate District sometime this summer---and possibly imminently---though after 7 months, she's not exactly in a big rush at this point.

Under Whitmer's plan, the 35th State Senate primary coincides with local elections on May 5th 2026, with the general election being held August 4th, which is already going to be a WILD 2026 primary for all sorts of other races from Governor and Senate on down...

Whitmer's plan not only eliminates the talking point against her that she won't call an election, which has been heating up significantly (and she is said to be pretty sick of hearing about), but it would only give the Senate a 50/50 split chamber for just 4 months---and that's IF Republicans prevail.

AND: Given the fact Speaker Hall has already said that all legislation moving through the House in November and December must have a 2/3rds vote, and that nothing usually gets done in September and October of an election year anyway, Whitmer's plan is actually pretty brilliant, at least politically speaking.

An alternative timeline of having the primary this November and the general next May was also under consideration, but is extremely unlikely for a myriad of reasons.

Whitmer's blue balling in the 35th certainly hasn't been in the best interests of Bay, Midland, and Saginaw County residents, but then again, they were never really her priority anyway. And she's going to get away with it!

The vacancy was created on November 5th, 2024 when State Senator Kristen McDonald Rivet was elected to the US House.

We need a Constitutional amendment setting the calendar for the time frame of special elections in the future!

_ ________________________________________________________________________

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

DeSana Files Articles Of Impeachment Against Secretary Of State Jocelyn Benson

By Brandon Hall

(Email him at WestMIPolitics@Gmail.com)

State Rep. Jim DeSana has filed articles of impeachment against Secretary Of State Jocelyn Benson.

According to WILX:

"A State Representative is attempting to impeach Michigan’s Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson.

The Articles were announced by Rep. James Desana on Tuesday morning.

“As a legislator and lifelong resident of the state of Michigan, it is my belief that we are dealing with the most lawless Secretary of State in Michigan history,” he said.

He accused Benson of “corrupt conduct, constitutional violations. Benson called the accusation a “clown show.”

According to WZZM:

"The impeachment resolution included three articles, which DeSana summarized.

Article one alleges that “Secretary Benson has routinely exceeded her authority by ignoring the procedural requirements imposed by legislature in statute,” DeSana said.

DeSana then made reference to several examples of when he believed Benson broke the law. He pointed to an $82,500 donation by Benson’s PAC to Michigan Supreme Court Justice Kyra Harris Bolden’s election campaign one month before she made arguments before the Michigan Supreme Court. He also alleged that Benson’s ban on the open carry of firearms within 100 feet of a polling location was unconstitutional.

DeSana also alleged that Benson broke the law following her recommendation to certify the 2020 election results.

“In November of 2020, her recommendation to the State Board of canvassers to certify the results of the November 3 election, despite the fact that she had been made aware of substantial allegations that the Wayne County Board of canvassers never properly certified the results,” DeSana explained.

Article two of the impeachment resolution alleges that Michigan’s Qualified Voter File (QVF) and electronic poll book records differ. DeSana claims that Benson’s office deleted poll book data far faster than what is required by federal statutes following an election.

“The Secretary's deletion of electronic poll book data following the elections on the seventh calendar day following the final canvas and certification of the election. Federal statute requires every officer, every officer of election, to retain and preserve for a period of 22 months all records relating to the election,” DeSana said.

Article three alleges that Benson threatened local boards of canvassers who may not have certified an election at the local level into doing so."

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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

Speaker Hall Must Expose The Dems Gay Marriage Scam To Stop A 2026 Republican Bloodbath

 By Brandon Hall

(Email him at WestMIPolitics@Gmail.com)

In 2018, Democrats capitalized on a popular marijuana ballot measure to win Governor, Secretary of State, and Attorney General---among other races.

In 2022, Democrats held onto those offices, AND completely took over the legislature---in large part due to an abortion ballot measure.

Now, in 2026, the Dems have another dirty trick up their sleeve: gay marriage. 

Inspired by legislation introduced by State Rep. Josh Schriver and a few others asking the US Supreme Court to overturn its ruling legalizing gay marriage, Lansing Dems are gearing up for a major ballot measure that would overturn Michigan's 2004 gay marriage ban. 

State Rep. Josh Schriver 

The proposal reportedly has millions in commitments already lined up. 

Though the measure banning gay marriage passed in 2004 with 59-41%, voter attitudes have drastically changed. 

According to recent polls from Gallup, PRRI, and others, between 68% and 72% of Michigan voters support gay marriage---an overwhelming super majority. 

A gay marriage ballot measure will increase turnout in a statistically significant way, not only helping Dems running for Governor, Secretary of State, and Attorney General, it would also help them win swing seats in the State House and State Senate, letting them take back the legislature. We saw what a TOTAL disaster full Democrat control was in 2022 and 2023, we can't go back to that---the stakes are TOO high.

Republicans would also say goodbye to Tom Barrett's US House seat, and the open House seat created by John James running for Governor. 

Mr. Speaker: call their bluff, end this BS, and put a gay marriage Constitutional amendment up for a vote in the House. 

Every Dem will vote for it, and many Republicans will as well. 

It will pass, and then the pressure will be on Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks and the Senate Dems. They will have no choice but to pass it, or infuriate (and cause irreparable harm with) their base.

If Republicans allow the Dems to set the table for 2026, don't be surprised when we end up starving with nothing to eat on election night---stuck with nearly another DECADE of Democrat rule. 

Republican candidates and their hard working supporters---as well as Michiganders of all political stripes---deserve much better than an election dominated and decided by a settled issue like gay marriage.  

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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

🚨BREAKING: Senate Dems Kick 60,000 Michiganders Off Medicaid In Illegal And Unconstitutional Budget With $1 Billion Deficit🚨

 

By Brandon Hall

(Email him at WestMIPolitics@Gmail.com)

The new budget recently passed by Senate Democrats not only kicks 60,000 vulnerable Michiganders off of Medicaid, their budget also has a $1 billion deficit, making it illegal and unconstitutional. 

All state budgets must be balanced as required by law. 

The Senate Fiscal Agency on May 15th confirmed that the budget the Senate Democrats passed “leads to a negative $968.5 million balance in the Fiscal Year 2025-26 budget.”

The Senate budget was not only unbalanced by $1 billion according to the Senate Fiscal Agency, but their budget did not include the proper consensus Medicaid caseload and utilization updates. 

On May 16, the Consensus Revenue Estimating Conference (which not a single Democrat bothered to attend) released its official economic forecast, confirming that since January’s estimate, state Medicaid spending is up $509 million. 

This means if the Senate Democrats do not change their budget, they will be putting the healthcare of 60,000 of some of the most vulnerable Michiganders at risk!

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

MIA: Not A Single Democrat Bothered Showing Up To EXTREMELY Important State Budget Meeting

Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks

 By Brandon Hall

(Email him at WestMIPolitics@Gmail.com)

The Consensus Revenue Estimating Conference is held in Lansing during the third week of May every year, and sets up how much of our money the Legislature and Governor have to spend on the state budget for the upcoming fiscal year. 

Sources tell West Michigan Politics that not a single elected Democrat in the Legislature---in either the State House or State Senate---bothered showing up to this year's meeting to find out just how much money the state has to spend.

The Consensus Revenue Estimating Conference confirmed that growth is at 4.3%, down slightly from the January estimate, but overall Michigan's economy is still growing. 

The Democrats are falsely suggesting the small change in revenue estimates shows the economy is struggling---blaming President Trump’s policies---all in a half ass attempt to cover-up the fact that they produced an unconstitutional budget.

Perhaps showing up at the meeting and knowing what the numbers actually are would have prevented them from proposing an illegal budget that puts Michigan in a billion dollar deficit? 

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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

 

Oops: Democrat State Rep. Accidentally Introduced Bill Eliminating DEI Hiring In Michigan Government

Erin Byrnes 

 By Brandon Hall

(Email him at WestMIPolitics@Gmail.com)

On May 1st, in a 105-1 vote, the State House overwhelmingly passed legislation banning the use of DEI hiring practices in state government, as well as requiring merit
based decision-making.

State agencies that break the proposed law would be fined up to $10,000 for every violation.

Sources tell West Michigan Politics that the bill was accidentally sponsored and introduced by Erin Byrnes, a House Democrat from Dearborn. 

Apparently, Byrnes mistakenly thought it was a gender-based pay mandate bill.

Democrats actually tried to avoid admitting or drawing attention to the embarrassing mistake by agreeing to vote for the bill---and then tried to lie about what it does. 

That ridiculous plan did not work, obviously.  

And in many ways, the fiasco was a sign of what was to come from the Senate a few weeks later---first with a supplemental budget bill designed to cover up for their past mistakes--- then with their horrendous, error-filled 2026 spending plan.

Interestingly, Byrnes legislation was originally introduced last session by State Rep. Angela Rigas, though the bill went nowhere under Speaker Joe Tate.

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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

Senate Dems Want $8 Million For Pilot Program Tracking And Taxing The Number Of Miles You Drive

By Brandon Hall

(Email him at WestMIPolitics@Gmail.com) 

Lansing Democrats have concocted yet another scam to try and steal money from hard working Michiganders: tracking---then taxing---the number of miles you drive! 

Senate Dems have even included $8 million in their new budget proposal for a pilot program testing the plan...

Obviously, this radical money grab has no chance of passing the House with Speaker Matt Hall, but the fact it's even being discussed is indicative of how misguided many Dem legislators are...

Stay tuned!  

__________________________________________________________________________

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

Ottawa County Commission Vice Chair Josh Brugger Censured For Comparing President Trump To Hitler

Josh Brugger

By Brandon Hall

(Email him at WestMIPolitics@Gmail.com)

Ottawa County Commission Vice Chair Josh Brugger has been censured by the Ottawa County Republican Party for his controversial statement comparing President Trump to Hitler.    

The condemnation, which was unanimous, comes after a West Michigan Politics report about Brugger's controversial remarks.  

Brugger, a Republican from Grand Haven, blasted the decision in a feisty statement on social media, urging his supporters to take over the Ottawa GOP.

"Another censure...

I was quite disappointed but not surprised to learn yesterday that the executive committee of the Ottawa Impact controlled Ottawa County Republican Party moved forward with a decision to condemn me for comments I made about president Trumps’ words and actions in support of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. More significantly, I am disappointed that they would do so by claiming I said something that I simply did not say.

For context, on February 19, after having a phone conversation with President Putin, President Trump called President Zelensky a dictator. Ten days later, President Trump, kicked President Zelensky out of the Oval Office and “sent him packing” back to Ukraine.

After months of escalating rhetoric and now these actions, I made a Facebook comment underscoring the view of a veteran history teacher who shared that we were witnessing something profoundly historic. In over a century of European and American history, no American President had ever sided with the leader of an invading nation in Europe. In WWI, WWII, the Cold War, and even in Kosovo, American presidents were always found standing against the aggressor who led their army and/or imposed their ideology on sovereign nations.

In response to my friend’s post and to what we were witnessing on the world stage in the month of February, I describe a cartoon that would sum up this historical paradigm shift.

On one side we’d find the likeness of President Trump standing in support of the leaders of nations who had done the very thing that Vladimir Putin was doing in Ukraine. On the other side would be the Statue of Liberty and all the American Presidents who had stood strong for liberty in Europe.

President Trump supporting and standing alongside all the European aggressors of present and past wars is not to say that that President Trump compares to them. Some in America may feel this way, but that is not what I said.

Donald Trump is no Adolph Hitler. He is our democratically elected president. As president of the United States of America, he is the figurative representative of mankind’s right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness as proclaimed in the Declaration of Independence, protected by our Constitution, and symbolized by an outward facing Statue of Liberty.

It was to the shock of many in the United States and around world that President Trump said what he said and did what he did in February.

I can’t change history, and I can’t change what President Trump did on those days. I can only acknowledge what happened and call it for what it was, a profoundly historic paradigm shift in American foreign policy.

The fortunate thing is that history is written in time, and President Trump still has time to write (right) history. I hope and believe that President Trump can write an America First history that doesn’t require the sacrifice of the principles and ideals that our nation was founded on.

The most telling remark made to me by a member of the executive committee was this: “What you said wouldn’t be offensive if you admitted that you were a Democrat.”

What’s really happening here is the continued condemnation of Republicans who don’t bow down to Ottawa Impact’s sense of what it means to be a Republican.

Nationally we’re witnessing this with the condemnation of Republicans who don’t bow down to Donald Trump. What we’re witnessing is round two of McCarthyism.

President Trump's apparent alignment with Vladimir Putin makes this all the more ironic.

While McCarthy was hell bent on rooting out Communists in America, today’s zealots are hell bent on finding and condemning any Republican who doesn’t fully bend the knee to President Trump. Followers of Ottawa Impact ardently do the same here, seeking to root out anyone who won’t swear allegiance to their ideology.

Considering the blatant misrepresentation of what I said and the mouths from which it came, I count it as an honor to be criticized and condemned/censured by these individuals.

This censure for exercising a Constitutionally protected right to free speech, is even more profoundly telling of how misguided this group has become.

It is for me the third time. The first two times, I was censured with a group of real Republicans who refused to bow down to them, and who to this day, continue to stand up against them.

In the end for Senator Joseph McCarthy, truly patriotic Americans, both Republicans and Democrats stood up and said, enough is enough. McCarthy’s followers on the other hand, dwindled and disappeared and he was left holding a real censure from the United States Senate.

The Ottawa County GOP was once the jewel of the Republican Party in Michigan. When the Ottawa Impact faction rose to power on the heels of Covid, they gutted the local GOP and brought chaos to both party and county.

When stoic, wise, Winston Churchill type leaders like Political Scientist and Hope College Professor Dr. Jack Holmes, who successfully led the Republican party here and throughout the State of Michigan for decades, are unceremoniously kicked to the curb and it is stated, “don’t let the door hit you on the way out Jack,” that should tell the Republican party faithful all they need to know about the character and wisdom of this group.

While it’s not for someone as flawed as I am to lead the charge, I suggest it’s nearing time for the true Republicans in Ottawa County to step up and to “take back” the Ottawa County GOP. It’s nearing time to restore it to the wise, thoughtful, fiscally responsible, and compassionately conservative organization that it once was.

In Chapter One, Republicans, Independents, and Democrats together took back Ottawa County government for all residents.

As we begin to turn the page to Chapter Two where we find the story of the Ottawa County GOP unfolding, after all that has already been accomplished, I am optimistic that that this chapter will be just as good as the first."

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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