Trump Announces Michigan Campaign Stop Friday

By Brandon Hall

(Email him at WestMiPolitics@Gmail.com)

GOP Presidential front runner Donald Trump is coming to Michigan on Friday before the state's March 8th primary.

Trump will be in Cadillac at 1 p.m. Friday, details are below:

"Doors open at 10:00 AM   

When

Friday, March 4, 2016 at 1:00 PM (EST) - Add to Calendar

Where

The Wexford Civic Center - 1320 N Mitchell St Cadillac, Michigan 49601"

>>>Get Your Tickets HERE 

He has also announced a stop at Macomb Community College:

Friday, March 4th: Warren, MI Campaign Rally
Macomb Community College - Sports and Expo Center 14500 E 12 Mile Road
Doors Open: 6:00 AM Rally Begins: 9:00 AM

>>>Register for tickets at TrumpWarren.Eventbrite.com
_______________________________________________________________

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: Schuette Charges Gamrat And Courser With Multiple Felonies, Warrants Issued For Their Arrest

Courser, left, Gamrat, right

By Brandon Hall

(Email him at WestMiPolitics@Gmail.com)

Attorney General Bill Schuette has announced the results of his investigation into former State Representatives Todd Courser and Cindy Gamrat. Arrest warrants have been issued for both Gamrat and Courser...

Schuette says he will charge Courser with 4 felonies, Gamrat with 2. Courser will also face issues over his law license with the Attorney Grievance Commission.

Courser faces 3 charges of misconduct in office and one charge of perjury, Gamrat faces 2 counts of misconduct in office.

Stay tuned... >>>CLICK HERE For Live Twitter Updates

Attorney General Bill Schuette

_______________________________________________________________
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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MIGOP Chair Ronna Romney McDaniel Calls WMP Precinct Delegate Report False (But Refuses To Release The Evidence)

MIGOP Chair Ronna Romney McDaniel

By Brandon Hall

(Email him at WestMiPolitics@Gmail.com)

In an email to what seems to be State Committee members, Michigan Republican Party officials and staff, as well as select others, Michigan Republican Party Chair Ronna Romney McDaniel blasted West Michigan Politics, claiming recent reports regarding the party targeting grassroots precinct delegates are not true. The email is below.

Notice the language she uses-she doesn't say that they've never spent money on an operation before, and she says "are not spending." That means currently, it doesn't mean in the past as noted, or in the future a few weeks from now... "Will not campaign" doesn't say "will not recruit or get involved."

>>>And what about MIGOP lawyer Eric Doster getting his nose all up in the 80th and 82nd State House primaries last year?! With IMPUNITY despite promises that were made to more than one person that an investigation would take place...

WMP had called on Romney and Co-Chair Jeff Sakwa to come clean with delegates over the controversy. That did not happen...

Here is the email:

"Friends-

I am sure many of you have seen the recent blog post on Brandon Hall’s West Michigan Politics. I wanted to reach out and make sure that you know that there is no validity to any of his claims. I am not sure where he is getting his information, but he has never asked me, nor anyone on my staff, to comment on his posts. We are not spending money to recruit precinct delegates to run against our current delegates. We will not campaign in precinct delegate races. Furthermore, we are not encouraging counties to decrease their precinct delegate apportionment. I am interested in bringing more people in to our party.

As is always the case, we do not get involved in primary races, whether that race is for precinct delegate or President of the United States.

Please feel free to reach out to me, or to my staff, if you ever hear information like this. We are happy to talk with you about this and any other concerns you may have.

Thank you all for everything you are doing for Republicans in Michigan. I look forward to working together to ensure a successful 2016.

Best,

Ronna

Ronna Romney McDaniel
Chairman
Michigan Republican Party
520 Seymour Avenue, Lansing, MI 48933
Phone: 517-487-5413
Fax: 517-487-0090
ronna@migop.org"

Gotta love the "wordplay" :) ;)

>>>When your phone blows up because the Michigan Republican Party chair blasts out an email statewide calling you a liar... but refuses to release the documents that will prove you right...



_______________________________________________________________
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 Won't Run For Congress, Announces Re-Election For State House Seat

State Rep. Lee Chatfield

By Brandon Hall

(Email him at WestMiPolitics@Gmail.com)

State Rep. Lee Chatfield has announced he is running for re-election to his State House seat.

Chatfield was rumored to be a possible contender for Congress in Michigan's First Congressional District, but opted to serve another term representing the 107th District.

He polled amazingly well for a first term legislator, grabbing nearly 10% against more well known names like Tom Casperson and Jason Allen, who were in the low 20's...

"My priority is job creation and strengthening tourism and the economy so people can afford to live, work and raise a family here," Chatfield said in his announcement. "Last fall, Michigan’s unemployment rate fell below the national average for the first time in 15 years. As our state continues to move in a positive direction, we must rely on common sense solutions, and we cannot repeat the failed polices of the past.”


According to a press release:

"State Representative Lee Chatfield announced his candidacy for re-election to the Michigan House of Representatives.

“I am running for re-election to continue fighting for the hard-working taxpayers, families and seniors who are being hurt by government’s failed policies,” said Chatfield (R-Levering). “Since taking office, I have been a vocal advocate and leader for upholding the Constitution and promoting issues particular to bettering Northern Michigan. My priority is job creation and strengthening tourism and the economy so people can afford to live, work and raise a family here. Last fall, Michigan’s unemployment rate fell below the national average for the first time in 15 years. As our state continues to move in a positive direction, we must rely on common sense solutions, and we cannot repeat the failed polices of the past.”

In 2015, Rep. Chatfield scored a perfect attendance record in the Michigan Legislature and he personally conducted over 50 local office hour sessions throughout his district.

“Coming into this position, I made a commitment to never forget where I came from and to never forget the people I serve. I believe that government needs to be more accountable and that’s why I make every effort to listen, stay accessible, explain my votes, be responsive, and follow through by doing what I told people I would do,” said Chatfield.

In addition to jobs and tourism, Rep. Chatfield’s focus includes enacting legislation aimed at eliminating wasteful spending and providing tax relief, protecting private property rights, strengthening education and providing funding equity, increasing pipeline safety, and defending life and 2nd amendment rights.

“For me, public service is not about Republicans or Democrats – it is about finding meaningful solutions to the issues we all care about,” concluded Chatfield.

An 8th generation resident of Northern Michigan and a former history teacher, Chatfield and his wife, Stephanie, are raising their four children in Levering. Chatfield is seeking re-election to the Michigan Legislature in the 107th House district that includes Chippewa County, Emmet County, Mackinac County and part of Cheboygan County.

For more information visit: www.LeeChatfield.com"

_______________________________________________________________
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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Evangelicals Attacked For Supporting Trump (They Said The Same Things About Reagan)

Trump with Jerry Falwell Jr.

By Brandon Hall

(Email him at WestMiPolitics@Gmail.com)

The attacks against Evangelical Christians for supporting Donald Trump have grown louder after last night's big win in South Carolina, and look for them to continue. Matt Walsh had a particularly nasty response that I refuse to even share...

After all, no one who has won New Hampshire and South Carolina has ever lost the GOP nomination, so opponents will be getting desperate.

It all may sound familiar to some: many went after Reagan in many of the same ways they attack Trump... Jerry Falwell Jr. touched on that earlier in the campaign when he endorsed "The Donald."

According to the Washington Post:

"Falwell then spoke of his father’s support for Ronald Reagan in the 1980s, an affiliation that was controversial in some evangelical circles because Reagan’s opponent in the 1980 election, then-President Jimmy Carter, was a devout Southern Baptist.

“When he walked into the voting booth, he wasn’t electing a Sunday school teacher or a pastor or even a president who shared his theological beliefs; he was electing the president of the United States with the talents, abilities and experience required to lead a nation,” Falwell said of his father.

“After all, Jimmy Carter was a great Sunday school teacher, but look at what happened to our nation with him in the presidency...(Trump) cannot be bought, he's not a puppet on a string like many other candidates who have wealthy donors as their puppet masters,” he added."

_______________________________________________________________
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: Active Shooter On Killing Spree In Kalamazoo (PLEASE Be On The Lookout!)

K-Zoo Crime Scene (Via WOOD TV 8)

 By Brandon Hall

(Email him at WestMiPolitics@Gmail.com)

>>>BREAKING NEWS UPDATE at 130 am: "Michigan State Police: Strong suspect in custody"

Breaking tonight, via WOOD TV:

"Police in Kalamazoo County are searching for a suspect who is randomly shooting people.

Kalamazoo County Undersheriff Paul Matyas told 24 Hour News 8 that multiple were fatally shot at the Cracker Barrel in Texas Township and Seelye Ford dealership, located at 3820 Stadium Drive in Kalamazoo.

Matyas says the suspect is driving around randomly shooting people. Police believe the suspect is white man who is driving a blue Chevy HHR.

Police say three people were killed at the Cracker Barrel and two were taken to the hospital.

A woman was shot multiple times in the Meadows Townhomes in Richland Township.

It’s unknown how many people were shot at the car dealership."

Please, if you are in the Kalamazoo area, be careful!!! Even if you are not, who the hell knows where this fool will go, so watch out!

Watch News 3 Live Coverage HERE

>>>Thanks to Ron Dwyer at Setting The Record Straight for the info...

_______________________________________________________________
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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WMP Calls On Michigan Republican Party To Come Clean Over Precinct Delegate Scandal

I refuse to sit back and be called a liar by paid operatives of the Michigan Republican Party, as well as Lansing hacks whose job is not to bring the truth to light, but to keep the "Lansing Cartel" in business.

Some have called for me to reveal my source (and accompanying documents) regarding information that the Michigan Republican Party is engaging in the same type of precinct delegate hit operations in 2016 that they did in 2014. I ALWAYS protect my sources and refuse to let the Lansing establishment smear them as we have seen in the case of Keith Allard and Ben Graham. It's disgusting, and I won't be a part of it. Releasing the documents could also easily reveal the source to MRP insiders.

That is why this morning, I am calling on Michigan Republican Party Chair Ronna Romney McDaniel and Co-Chair Jeff Sakwa to come clean with the grassroots activists who helped elect them last February, and release the full budget of the MRP from 2013 and 2014.

I ask this budget be released because I know they will give every excuse in the book not to release this year's where they plan on targeting Matt Maddock and "Battle Cry" supporters, but releasing budgets from past years should be very easy to do, especially if it would vindicate the MRP.

Many reading this would be shocked to realize that the full budget is kept secret from even State Committee members. None of the administrative account is revealed, and many line items are missing. Put everything on the table and come clean, or shut the hell up and stop lying about me. It's very simple.

Let's release the documents and show Michigan Republicans what their party has been doing behind the scenes. My documents show a coordinated precinct delegate operation designed to purge grassroots conservatives in 2014 and 2016, and I stand by my article 100%.

I also have information that the MRP worked hand-in-hand, directly with the "Michigan Freedom Fund," possibly to the level of official misconduct that would violate election laws. That's why I am also calling for top MRP officials to release any and all emails corresponding with any member of the Michigan Freedom Fund.

I look forward to the release of these documents, and subsequently, full vindication regarding my article.

-Brandon Hall

_______________________________________________________________
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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Donald Trump Announces Office Opening In Grand Haven Tonight

By Brandon Hall

(Email him at WestMiPolitics@Gmail.com)

Donald Trump's Michigan campaign will open a Grand Haven field office tonight.

The event kicks off at 6:30 p.m.

According to a release:

"This is a reminder that our grand opening for the Grand Haven headquarters is tonight, Thursday, February 18th, from 6:30-9:00 p.m. Join us at Clock’s of Grand Haven, 16777 Lincoln St, Grand Haven, MI 49417 (near Grand Haven Golf Club). Regular office hours will be announced soon.

Please bring a cell phone and computer/tablet if you are willing to help us make phone calls. Contacting voters is the most important thing we can do to assist the campaign.  There will also be materials such as yard signs, bumper stickers, and t-shirts available for pickup.

If you have any questions, please reach out to your State Field Director:

CJ Galdes (616) 821-6389  (cjgaldes@donaldtrump.com)

-Scott Hagerstrom
Michigan State Director"

Donald J. Trump with Michigan Field Director CJ Galdes

_______________________________________________________________
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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Frank Foster Faces Chatfield At Hearing (But This Time As A Bought+Paid For Anti-Gun Hack)

By Brandon Hall

(Email him at WestMiPolitics@Gmail.com)

Jason Gilman at Right Michigan made a great observation recently in piece he headlines "A Close Call."

Jason writes:

"In 2014, voters of the northern Michigan 107th house district did the rest of Michigan ‘a solid.’.
It was becoming clear that the incumbent Republican for that district was in no way representative of the conservative values he had pretended in his initial bid. From accepting tens of thousands for his upcoming campaign loss from pro-homosexual lobbying interests, added to an otherwise liberal voting record, Frank Foster had completely alienated the very (tea party) base he had enchanted in 2010.

Foster lost to Lee Chatfield in the primary of 2014, marking a rare incumbency defeat in the Michigan house races. Voters turned him out in a 6 point rout:

“In Northern Michigan, a good thing happened Tuesday.  Frank Foster, a man who by virtue of his lunch dates in Lansing alone, should not be representing the 107th district was voted off the animal farm.  Voted most desirable date to go to the Capitol prom by lobbyists, he was a top recipient of food and drink topping Randy Richardville the Senate majority leader in 2013.”

His departure has hardly left him out in the cold however. He is apparently remaining in the political scene as a gun grabber.

An examination of the minutes from a recent hearing on preemption bill (HB 4795)  before the committee on local government reveal Foster is still active, and has apparently gone completely to the dark side.  His time there was to represent opposition to legislation which provides further 2A protections for gun owners from abusive local government.

In this hearing, he was representing  everytown.org, a group in opposition to gun ownership.  Everytown.org,like all other confiscation organizations presents its message in  absurd extremes in a theatrical manner to scare folks into action to ban firearms ownership.  And like so many others, this anti 2nd amendment organization is getting little traction with traditional American families.

So it must use fake conservatives and former Republican legislators to help spread its anti 2A message apparently?

In 2014, there was enough of an indicator in Foster’s district that he was not exactly what he claimed to be, that he was tossed by a political newcomer.  It was not entirely unexpected.  Nor was it impossible to predict given the reduction in the usual suspect support for a go-along-get-along type
that Foster was.

In the end however, it was critical that he was replaced however, as we fight on to restoration and clarity of our constitutional protections."

Foster

Foster only appeared, he did not testify...And guess who just happens to be the Chair of the Local Government Committee? It couldn't be more fitting: Lee Chatfield...

_______________________________________________________________
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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Source: MIGOP PLans Major Operation Against Maddock And "Battle Cry" Supporters

Maddock, with wife Meshawn

By Brandon Hall

(Email him at WestMiPolitics@Gmail.com)

A top source tells WMP that the Michigan Republican Party is gearing up for a major operation against Matt Maddock and supporters of his "Battle Cry" event.

The source says the MIGOP will use resources to beat grassroots conservatives, "Battle Cry" types, in precinct delegate races as aggressively-or possibly even more so-than what they utilized to help bring Lt. Gov. Brian Calley over the top against Wes Nakagiri at the Republican convention in 2014.

Nakagiri racked up nearly 40%, an impressive number for a political rookie, but Calley won decisively... Evidently, Maddock has establishment types worried about the long-term foundation he is helping lead, and they don't like it a single bit.

Maddock himself lost a much closer race in 2014 when he challenged State Sen. Mike Kowall in a primary. Maddock lost by just over 1,500 votes, around 11,300 to 9,700...

When asked for comment, Maddock gave the following statement:

"If they spent $557k to defeat conservatives last time around, what will they spend this time? Do you think that any of the big money donors have a problem with the fact that their hard earned MIGOP donations are being used to purge true conservatives from their own party instead of fighting socialists? BRING IT ON!

They should be worried...worried about alienating the 400k Republican voters in Michigan. They should grow up and save OUR 400k to defeat the democrats instead of trying to protect their little liberal establishment fortress. They are weak and we are stronger. We have the constitutional values on our side. We've only just begun. Many people within the party are reaching out to me to encouraging me and the team that organized Battle Cry. I would advise the establishment to stop shooting inside the tent and work WITH US to help restore and protect our great American Heritage.

That is what the Battle Cry team is doing. If they want to continue to work against what is just and noble, let them. We are fighting for things way bigger than all us."

_______________________________________________________________
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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Weiser Announces He's Running For U Of M Regent

By Brandon Hall

(Email him at WestMiPolitics@Gmail.com)

Former ambassador and ex MRP Chair Ron Weiser announced last weekend he is again running for U of M regent.

It looked like Weiser had won the slot in 2015 along with Dr. Rob Steele, but late returns from Detroit and other urban areas tipped the scales for the Dems.

Weiser will likely benefit in a big way from the recent straight ticket voting ban that will take effect: if straight ticket votes were eliminated, Weiser would have won in 2014...

Weiser, a longtime donor and volunteer for the university, clearly bleeds maize and blue and is well positioned for victory at the convention this summer, and in November...

In an email announcing his candidacy, Weiser said:

"I am writing you today to announce that I am running for University of Michigan Regent and to humbly ask for your endorsement.

 

The University has been near and dear to my heart for many years. I became a Wolverine long before I graduated in 1966.

 

Many of you across the state worked very hard with me to elect conservative Republicans in 2010 when I had the privilege of serving as Chairman of the Michigan Republican State Committee. We had a tremendously successful victory through a team effort of grassroots conservatives working the phones, knocking on doors, distributing signs, and pounding the pavement, while we raised over $30 million for the Party to fund the air war and the Victory Centers. We learned the perfect formula for success: a grassroots conservative base inspired by ideas, working hard to win, with the money needed to blanket the television airwaves with our message.

 

I was elected to be RNC Finance Chairman in 2011, and led the national effort that raised record amounts of money despite the difficulties that the Party faced. I had planned to run for U of M Regent in 2012 but the unions put Proposal 2 on the ballot, and I had a duty to do everything that I could to fight this job-killing measure. We utilized the same successful strategy we found in 2010: a strong ground game and a strong air war. Once again, it worked perfectly. We beat the unions badly on Proposal 2 and we were able to pass Freedom to Work legislation a month later!

 

During my time as an Ambassador in Eastern Europe right after 9/11, I saw first hand the effects of socialism and communism. I know the truth of Ronald Reagan's warning: "Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We don't pass it to our children in their bloodstreams. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free." His words guided my vision in starting and endowing the Weiser Center for Emerging Democracies at the University of Michigan, which is making a difference in lives both at the University and abroad.

 

Working for freedom for our children and our children's children is what motivated all of us to stop Proposal 2 and pass Freedom to Work, and it is what motivates me now to run for University of Michigan Regent - and why I would be honored to have your endorsement and support.

 

We worked together in the trenches to win one of the most consequential fights of our generation. I am asking for your help again.  I want to serve as a University of Michigan Regent, because the work is not done. We can prevent our Universities from finding ways around Right to Work. Every student should take a class on the Constitution. We must keep in-state tuition rates low; my 34 years of experience in starting and growing a business and meeting a payroll can help us accomplish that goal. I oppose any effort to give in-state tuition to illegal immigrants and will work to change that policy. I will work tirelessly to pass on the value of Freedom to the next generation of Michigan leaders.

 

We can bring these conservative values to the University of Michigan and once again, win together. Please join me today in that effort. "

_______________________________________________________________
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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Flint Water TRASHED Over Concerns The National Guard Is Purposefully Poisoning Residents

By Brandon Hall

(Email him at WestMiPolitics@Gmail.com)

Recently, a WMP article spotlighted a dreadful sight: bottled water in Flint TRASHED.

People were stunned. Disappointed. Pissed, even... Why would someone do this?

As it turns out, many in Flint believe that water being distributed by the National Guard, as well as some other groups, is poisoned with lead and possibly other things.

That's why you saw the shocking picture taken by Flint resident Page Brousseau last week.

Brousseau tells WMP "it's the same packaging the National Guard was handing out. This house was next block over from mine. All kinds of videos put out saying the water the Guard is handing out is poisoned."

WMP has also learned some residents are dumping out water instead of throwing it away so visibly, and not just water distributed by the National Guard.

What a horrendous development in an already horrible situation. 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

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Photo By Darlene Dowling Thompson