Money Moves: Biz Wiz Sandy Pensler Says He'll Spend Millions To Beat Stabenow

Pensler

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

Sandy Pensler knows a thing or two about running a business. He has a history of taking failing companies on the verge of death and turning them around, saving jobs and raking in big profits in the process. 

Now Pensler's planning a hostile takeover of Debbie Stabenow's US Senate seat, and he says he'll spend millions out of his own pocket to #DumpDebbie and give Michigan the state's first Republican Senator in nearly 20 years.

According to his website, Pensler "put his teachings and experience into practice by founding Pensler Capital, starting numerous businesses and currently owning and operating four manufacturing plants, including the Korex Corporation plant in Wixom, which provides over 100 jobs to Michigan workers. The Wixom plant was losing millions and slated for closure when Sandy took control. He rebuilt the Wixom plant, saved the jobs and engineered a successful turnaround."

That isn't his only turn around success story .

"His Chicago plant was scheduled for closure when its owners Church and Dwight, owners of Arm and Hammer and Oxyclean, turned to him to purchase the plant and turn it around. Sandy successfully put that company back on its feet as well. All of the current Korex companies are profitable, free of debt and growing under Sandy’s leadership."

Pensler says he's running to put "Michigan First."

Pensler, who is also a lawyer, joins a Republican Senate field that includes businessman and Veteran John James, as well as former Michigan Supreme Court Justice Bob Young.

While money certainly isn't everything, some in the GOP have expressed concerns over what they feel are low fundraising numbers between James and Young. The pair had less than $400,000 in the last reporting period, while Stabenow is sitting on close to $7 million.

No one doubts Pensler can post big numbers, however, his conservative credentials were immediately questioned by the Michigan Faith and Freedom Coalition because of his views on abortion when he ran for Congress nearly 30 years ago. (Leaders of the Michigan Faith and Freedom Coalition are supporting John James for the Senate seat.)

Like President Trump, President Reagan, and many others, Pensler has changed his position on abortion and is passionately pro life.

“My wife and I think abortion is a bad thing and wrong, consider ourselves pro-life, and strongly believe that Roe v Wade was a terrible decision," Pensler said. "We should defund planned parenthood and put in place judges that do not legislate from the bench,” Pensler said.  “My position on the issue has evolved from when I ran 25 years ago influenced by having had and raised my own family.”

Pensler is an interesting addition to the race, and while he clearly has the ability to get his message out, gaining the support of grassroots Republican primary voters will be no easy task. 

Even then, that's just round one, Debbie awaits-locked, loaded, and ready to brawl.

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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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Pay To PREY: Top House Dem John Conyers Sexually Harassed Woman+Used His Office Budget For Coverup, Flew Girls To DC For Sex On Taxpayer's Dime

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

Detroit area Democrat John Conyers now faces the fight of his political life after shocking Congressional documents have revealed he repeatedly sexually harassed a staff member, then used his office budget to pay for a confidential settlement so he could cover it up.

The woman in question was given a "no show" job for 3 months and paid nearly $30,000 to keep quiet.

That's just the beginning.

Reports being published by Buzzfeed also say that Conyers publicly groped at least one employee.

Conyers also had a list of women he wanted to see, flown to DC on the taxpayer's dime, apparently for sex romps...

Conyers is the longest serving member of the House, surviving multiple scandals in his decades in DC. 

To put things in perspective regarding how long he has been around, Conyers voted to impeach Nixon in 1974... and had already been in Congress for 10 years!

Check out some of the highlights from the Buzzfeed article, and be sure to check it out for a revealing look at how DC power brokers cover up their scandals...

"One of Conyers’ former employees was offered a settlement, in exchange for her silence, that would be paid out of Conyers’ taxpayer-funded office budget. His office would “rehire” the woman as a “temporary employee” despite her being directed not to come into the office or do any actual work, according to the document. The complainant would receive a total payment of $27,111.75 over the three months, after which point she would be removed from the payroll, according to the document.

In her complaint, the former employee said Conyers repeatedly asked her for sexual favors and often asked her to join him in a hotel room. On one occasion, she alleges that Conyers asked her to work out of his room for the evening, but when she arrived the congressman started talking about his sexual desires. She alleged he then told her she needed to “touch it,” in reference to his penis, or find him a woman who would meet his sexual demands.

She alleged Conyers made her work nights, evenings, and holidays to keep him company.

In another incident, the former employee alleged the congressman insisted she stay in his room while they traveled together for a fundraising event. When she told him that she would not stay with him, she alleged he told her to “just cuddle up with me and caress me before you go.”

“Rep. Conyers strongly postulated that the performing of personal service or favors would be looked upon favorably and lead to salary increases or promotions,” the former employee said in the documents.

Three other staff members provided affidavits submitted to the Office Of Compliance that outlined a pattern of behavior from Conyers that included touching the woman in a sexual manner and growing angry when she brought her husband around.

One affidavit from a former female employee states that she was tasked with flying in women for the congressman. “One of my duties while working for Rep. Conyers was to keep a list of women that I assumed he was having affairs with and call them at his request and, if necessary, have them flown in using Congressional resources,” said her affidavit. (A second staffer alleged in an interview that Conyers used taxpayer resources to fly women to him.)

The employee said in her affidavit that Conyers also made sexual advances toward her: “I was driving the Congressman in my personal car and was resting my hand on the stick shift. Rep. Conyers reached over and began to caress my hand in a sexual manner.”

The woman said she told Conyers she was married and not interested in pursuing a sexual relationship, according to the affidavit. She said she was told many times by constituents that it was well-known that Conyers had sexual relationships with his staff, and said she and other female staffers felt this undermined their credibility.

“I am personally aware of several women who have experienced the same or similar sexual advances made towards them by Rep[.] John Conyers,” she said in her affidavit.

A male employee wrote that he witnessed Rep. Conyers rub the legs and other body parts of the complainant “in what appeared to be a sexual manner” and saw the congressman rub and touch other women “in an inappropriate manner.” The employee said he confronted Conyers about this behavior.

“Rep. Conyers said he needed to be ‘more careful’ because bad publicity would not be helpful as he runs for re-election. He ended the conversation with me by saying he would ‘work on’ his behavior,” the male staffer said in his affidavit.

The male employee said that in 2011 Conyers complained a female staffer was “too old” and said he wanted to let her go."

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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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Chatfield, Glenn+Theis Named "Most Conservative" In Michigan House

Theis, left, with Chatfield, center, and Glenn, right (DarKen Photography)

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

State Representatives Lee Chatfield, Lana Theis, and Gary Glenn have been named the most conservative legislators in Michigan's House.

That's what the American Conservative Union said, giving the trio a 96% score.

According to Glenn, "he tied with two fellow Republicans -- Speaker Pro Tem Lee Chatfield, R-Levering, and Assistant Majority Leader Lana Theis, R-Brighton -- in voting conservative on 96 percent of the twenty-three roll call votes selected by the ACU."

The ACU said in a press release that they chose from a number of bills while compiling their scores.

"ACU researched and selected a range of bills before the Michigan Legislature that determine a member’s adherence to conservative principles. We selected bills that focus on Ronald Reagan’s philosophy of the 'three-legged stool': 1) fiscal and economic: taxes, budgets, regulation, spending, healthcare, and property; 2) social and cultural: 2nd amendment, religion, life, welfare, and education; and 3) government integrity: voting, individual liberty, privacy, and transparency. This wide range of issues are designed to give citizens an accurate assessment that conveys which of Michigan’s elected leaders best defend the principles of a free society: Life, Liberty and Property."

Glenn and Theis also received the distinction in 2015, along with State Rep. Jim Runestad.




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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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Replacing Meekhof: Victory Kicks Off State Senate Campaign Friday

Roger Victory speaks at a Mike Pence rally in Holland (DarKen Photography)

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


State Rep. Roger Victory will officially kick off his State Senate campaign on Friday, WMP has learned.

Victory will make the announcement at noon on his farm in Hudsonville.

Victory hopes to replace Sen. Arlan Meekhof, who can not run again because of term limits.

Already in the race: State Rep. (D)aniela Garcia, and former State Rep. Joe Haveman.
 
Garcia enters the race with a cash advantage, but faces big problems with the conservative base because of her voting record.
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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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Pete Hoekstra Confirmed As President Trump's Ambassador To The Netherlands

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


Former Congressman Pete Hoekstra is now the Ambassador to The Netherlands after receiving Senate confirmation late last week. 

WMP broke the story earlier this year that Hoekstra was the leading contender for the position, and President Trump ended up picking him.

Hoekstra, who was born in The Netherlands, was a co chair for President Trump's Michigan campaign in 2016.
 
Hoekstra's nomination was supported by both Sen. Gary Peters, and Sen. Debbie Stabenow. Hoekstra ran against Stabenow in 2012, ultimately falling short.

Pete Hoekstra Tops Trump's Shortlist To Be Ambassador To The Netherland

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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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Grot Blasts Benson, Proposes Multi Year Car Registration Plan To Help Cut SOS Wait Time

Stan Grot speaks at a Steve Bannon event (DarKen Photography)

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

Shelby Township Clerk Stan Grot, who is running for the Republican nomination for Secretary of State, has unveiled a proposal designed to let Michigan drivers spend less time stuck inside Secretary of State offices by allowing vehicle owners to purchase multi-year registrations.

Grot says the proposal will save drivers from wasting time.

“The first part of my customer service plan is to offer multiple year car and truck registrations,” Grot said in a press release. “On leased cars and trucks, registrations will be valid for the duration of the lease. For all other cars and trucks, I propose choices for registrations to be renewed every one, two, or three years."

Grot says it would be up to the driver which registration they wanted to purchase.

"The choice is up to the individual motorists, as it should be," Grot said. "Personally, I have better things to do on my birthday than wait in line for new tabs. This change will allow motorists to make one third the number of trips to Secretary of State Offices, and that will allow our employees to be more productive in other matters.”

Grot is touting his "real-world experience as a Township Clerk, Assistant Secretary of State, City Councilman and a private entrepreneur." 

He says his resume distinguishes him from his opponents.

Grot singled out his leading Democrat foe, Jocelyn Benson, calling her a typical liberal who is making unrealistic and unfounded promises.

“Voters said no to Jocelyn Benson when she ran for Secretary of State and lost in 2010. Her “30-minute guarantee” is nothing more than a gimmick to get herself elected," Grot said. "She is a typical liberal candidate making promises that she cannot keep. The Secretary of State does not run local elections. Elections are conducted by local clerks. Jocelyn Benson will have zero control over the lines and the wait to vote on Election Day. The Secretary of State position is extremely complex. It takes deep understanding of the day-to-day operations at the branch offices and requires knowledge in overseeing the election process. She is giving our citizens false hope. Her “30-minute guarantee” is unrealistic and not achievable.”

Grot, who is also the 10th District GOP Chair, faces MSU Professor Dr. Joseph Guzman, and EMU Regent Mary Treder Lang in the fight to see who will be the Republican Secretary of State nominee. 

Benson is expected to be the Dem candidate, but still may face a battle of her own...

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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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Calley Hands Part Time Legislature Campaign Over To Tom McMillin

Calley, left, McMillin, right

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

Lt. Governor Brian Calley has transitioned the leadership of his proposal to enact a Part Time Legislature and slash legislator pay to Tom McMillin.

McMillin, a member of the State Board of Education, is a favorite with the grassroots. Calley says he believes in McMillin's leadership.

"I’m confident that Tom McMillin is the right person to lead Clean Michigan Government," Calley said in a press release. "His experience and success in organizing and leading grassroots activists in Michigan is exactly what Clean Michigan Government needs. This initiative started with the grassroots, and it is the grassroots that will push it over the finish line."

Calley says McMillin brings a lot to the table.


"Tom McMillin a former state representative, Honorary Chairman of Concerned Taxpayers of Michigan, and current member of the Michigan State Board of Education, brings a strong track-record of successful conservative activism in Michigan to the Clean Michigan initiative," Calley said.

Joining McMillin as leaders in the effort are:

-Former State Rep. and RNC Committeeman Dave Agema
-Former Trump Michigan Deputy State Chair CJ Galdes
-Former Kent County GOP Chair Dave Dishaw
-Norm Kammeraad, leader of the 2014 PTL effort

 The campaign hopes to put the issue before Michigan voters in November of 2018.

Calley says that turning over leadership to McMillin "will allow me more time to work toward accelerating the Michigan Comeback next year and beyond." 

Many believe that work includes running for Governor.




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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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