Ottawa County Man Scheduled For November 20 Marijuana Possession Trial Hopes Charges Are Dropped After Proposal One's Approval

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

An Ottawa County man is hoping his marijuana possession charge set for  trial next week will be dropped by prosecutors, or dismissed by the Judge after the passage of Proposal One.

Rick Howard of Grand Haven faces trial stemming from a June pot arrest in Grand Haven, and because of previous drug convictions, simple possession has turned into a felony.

Howard is scheduled for trial November 20^th in Ottawa County Circuit Court before the Hon. Judge Karen Miedema.

With Kent County and other municipalities terminating pending pot possession prosecutions, as well as Governor-elect Whitmer vowing to pardon similar offenders already convicted, 
Howard believes his case should be thrown out.

Michigan voters overwhelmingly voted to amend the Constitution to legalize marijuana for recreational use last week, with the measure passing by nearly 15%. 

The change won't take effect until the end of November or the beginning of December, 10 days after the election is certified by the Board of Canvassers.

Jury selection is in the case is scheduled for November 19. If Howard is convicted, he would be sentenced a few weeks later-when marijuana is legal.
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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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Tom Leonard Leads MIGOP State Chair Buzz (And 7 Other Possible Candidates You Need To Know)

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

Speaker Tom Leonard leads the early buzz for possible candidates for Michigan Republican Party Chair.

Dozens of grassroots activists expressed support for Leonard to replace retiring Chair Ron Weiser on social media over the weekend, and in a poll of one Congressional District, every single member chose Leonard.  A Facebook group was also created to “Draft Tom Leonard” for MIGOP Chair.

In a statement Sunday evening, Leonard said he is considering running, and he will make an announcement soon. 

"I want to thank all of the people who have been urging me to run for Michigan GOP Chairman," Leonard said. "It has truly been heartening, especially after coming off such a close race for attorney general. I have been blessed beyond anything I can put into words. I want you to know that I am seriously considering it, and will make a decision shortly."

His top priority would be re-electing President Trump in 2020. Leonard also wants the grassroots to have more of a voice.

My top priority as Chairman would be the re-election of President Donald J. Trump," Leonard said. "I also want to see a unified party. We won Michigan for our President in 2016, and we will win it again in 2020 by putting together a united team of grassroots activists."

Many have speculated who Leonard would choose as his Vice Chair. While testing a few website combinations, it was interesting to see that LeonardMaddock.com has been purchased.

Possible MIGOP Vice Chair candidate Meshawn Maddock

Leonard would enter the race as the front runner, but he isn’t the only name  being mentioned.

Here are 7 other potential candidates for MIGOP Chair:

Scott Greenlee is a party veteran, as well as a political consultant and strategist who recently ran the campaign against legalizing marijuana, “Healthy and Productive Michigan.”

John Inhulsen is a former Chair of the Kent County GOP and one of West Michigan’s top lawyers.

Dave Dishaw is a former state committee member and Kent County GOP Chair known for his data analysis skills. He is an expert on the party’s rules, and has been involved in party politics at all levels for decades.

Laura Cox is a State Representative  from Wayne County.

Stan Grot is the 10^th District Chair and Shelby Township Clerk.

Norm Hughes is a grassroots activist and President of the Michigan Conservative Union. He was defeated for the position in 2015 by Ronna Romney McDaniel.

Lena Epstein is a small business owner and was a co-chair for President Trump’s 2016 Michigan campaign. 
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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 And Chatfield Firewall Keeps Michigan House House Red

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

Despite losing all statewide races, Michigan Republicans held their legislative majorities this week, including the hotly contested House of Representatives 58-52.

In addition to hard work from candidates all across the state, the leadership of House Speaker Tom Leonard, and soon to be Speaker Lee Chatfield, was essential in defending the GOP majority.

Tom Leonard donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to fellow Republican House members he could have spent on his own campaign for Attorney General. He also made hundreds of fundraising and campaign appearances for members of the caucus, many of them in vulnerable seats.

Chatfield set fundraising records as HRCC chair, raising millions and providing candidates with the funds needed to take on the Democrat onslaught. Chatfield campaigned tirelessly across the state for 2 years, there is no doubt he has earned the Speaker's Chair.

Despite a series of disappointments at the top of the ticket Tuesday, thanks to Leonard and Chatfield, Governor Whitmer will have to fight a Republican House led by Speaker Chatfield instead of a rubber stamp from the Democrats and radical liberal Christine Greig.
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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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Judged Not By The Color Of Their Skin...

By Dr. Joseph Guzman
(Email Him At ProGuz@Yahoo.com)

When we reflect upon the election results of the 2018 midterms, the biggest surprise of all should be the Black vote that President Trump so brilliantly courted.

Appealing directly to the Black community, Trump breached the Democrats’ most secure constituency, previously sheltered behind dual unimpregnable walls of government dependency and unquenchable umbrage. The Democrats were complacent, but Trump had other plans.

Armed with a lifetime of friendships and a history of good deeds from before he was President, Trump spoke fresh truths. Despite media spin, the President’s comments have resonated with the Black community, and the walls holding their votes captive are now gaping.

One of the biggest changes in opinion since the 2016 election is Trump’s Black approval rating, which stands at 36%, according to a Rasmussen poll. Exit polls from 2016 found under 8% of Blacks voting for Trump. If even half of the 36% of “Blacks for Trump” manifest themselves Tuesday, it will upend competitive races from coast to coast.

More importantly, this could signal the end of identity politics. The era of Democrats relying on support solely based on the color of people’s skin has been disrupted by our President. A new day will shine on American politics, one that brings us all much closer to judging every man and woman by the content of their character.

Dr. Joseph Guzman was a co-chair for President Trump's 2016 Michigan campaign.

Dr. Guzman

Breaking: Haley Stevens Just Said She Didn't Work As Chief Of Staff For Obama's Auto Bailout

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

11th Congressional District Democrat candidate Haley Stevens just said she "didn't work as the Chief of Staff" for President Obama's auto bailout.

The stunning statement came Sunday in a debate on WDIV's Flashpoint.

"I didn’t work as Chief of Staff for President Obama’s auto rescue, which saved GM and Chrysler 200,000 Michigan jobs just to see it, take it back," Stevens said.

Seems like a big league Freudian slip to me....

Stevens is running against Lena Epstein, a small business owner, and a co-chair of President Trump's 2016 Michigan campaign.

Listen to Stevens: 

WMP first broke the story about her false claims few weeks ago. You can listen to Frank Beckmann's interview with me about the controversy HERE.

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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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WMP Featured On The Frank Beckmann Show Over Phony Chief Of Staff Claims By Haley Stevens

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

I had a great time recently appearing on the Frank Beckmann Show on WJR.

Frank is a conservative broadcasting legend, so it was nice to chat with him for a couple segments!

We mostly discussed Haley Stevens, the Democrat Congressional candidate in the 11th, who has inflated her resume regarding the auto bailout. 

Stevens is running against Lena Epstein, a small business owner from the metro Detroit area who co-chaired President Trump's 2016 Michigan campaign. 

You can check out the interview below if you'd like!

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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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Dinesh D'Souza Brings "Fake History Debunked" Tour To Michigan State On November 1st

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

Dinesh D'Souza is returning to the Great Lakes State for an appearance at Michigan State University on November 1st.

D'Souza will be addressing historical issues, as well as how conservatives can fight back against liberal bias in schools, as part of his "#FakeHistoryDebunked" tour. The event is hosted by MSU's Young Americans For Freedom organization.

D'Souza, who was pardoned by President Trump earlier this year, recently released his latest documentary, "Death Of A Nation."

The event begins at  8 in room 101 of North Kedzie Hall. The speech is open to the public, and tickets are available HERE.

According to a statement from YAF on a Facebook page for the event:

"Have your professors been lying to you? Dinesh D'Souza will be on campus November 1st to talk about #FakeHistory and to challenge the liberal arguments presented in high school and college classrooms.

Those with free tickets can get access to the venue starting at 7:30PM. However, any unclaimed seats will be given away on a first-come, first-serve basis at 7:50PM."
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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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DOXXED: Michigan Dems Target State House Candidate Christine Barnes, Publicly Post Her Social Security Number

Barnes, with husband Tim, and Ted Nugent

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

The Michigan Democratic Party, after recently attacking State Rep. Jeff Noble for visiting his sick wife in the hospital, is at it again: the Dems are now going after State House candidate Christine Barnes, posting her Social Security number in a public ad!

The incident is essentially the doxxing of a legislative candidate, bought and paid for- then promoted-by a major political party. Wow!

Barnes, an Eaton County Commissioner, is running to replace State Rep. Tom Barrett in a highly competitive race against Democrat Angela Witwer.

Michigan Republican Party Chair Ron Weiser blasted the ad in a statement.

“This is despicable,” Weiser said. “Christine Barnes is running for office to improve the lives of her fellow citizens, and the Michigan Democrat Party used all its resources to try to destroy hers. By releasing her Social Security number, they have broken the law and put Barnes’ identity and credit at risk. I call upon MDP to immediately pull this ad...Further, MDP owes Ms. Barnes an immediate apology.” 

Barnes has filed a report with the Michigan State Police. 

A press release from the Michigan Republican Party notes:

"Under Michigan law MDP employees face the following criminal penalties for violation of the Michigan Social Security Act: 

Those who publicly display with knowledge that the person's conduct violates this act is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment for not more than 93 days or a fine of not more than $1,000.00, or both. See MCL 445.86(1). 

MDP is also civilly liable to Ms. Barnes under the following provision for violation of the Michigan Social Security Act:

(2) An individual may bring a civil action against a person who violates section 3 and may recover actual damages. If the person knowingly violates section 3, an individual may recover actual damages or $1,000.00, whichever is greater..."

Whether it was nefarious, or just more Dem incompetence, Chairman Weiser is right: the ad should be pulled immediately, and Brandon Dillon owes Barnes an apology.
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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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Red Wave? Trump Republican Brandt Iden Erases Alberta Griffin's Lead In Heated 61st District House Race

State Rep. Brandt Iden

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

Private polling shows State Rep. Brandt Iden is now tied with his Democrat opponent, Western Michigan University Professor Alberta Griffin. Both candidates receive just under 50% support in one of the state's most watched races.

It's a big swing for Iden from Griffin's nearly double digit lead in another poll just a few weeks ago.

The development is disappointing news for Democrats hoping to flip the seat and take back the House. For Republicans, it seems to be yet another sign that the "Kavanaugh effect" is real, the "blue wave" is dead, and grassroots conservatives are fired up.

Iden was a Trump delegate during the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland and an early supporter of the President.

It's unclear whether the Dems will double down and continue to spend money trying to take out Iden. That strategy has failed the last two election cycles, and it doesn't appear to be working this time, either. 

Valuable resources squandered on Griffin could help put other candidates in more competitive races over the top.

WMP is watching this race closely, 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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Busted: Haley Stevens Doctored Her Resume To Inflate Role In Obama's Auto Bailout

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

11th Congressional District Democrat candidate Haley Stevens has not been truthful with voters about her role in the auto industry bailout.

In her first ad, she erroneously and passionately claimed that she was "chief of staff" to the entire bailout. Now Stevens is changing her story.

Evidently, Stevens was as much of a Chief of Staff to the Auto Bailout as fellow Dem Congressional candidate Matthew Longjohn is a Doctor, both #FakeNews.

In her new ad, she backtracks on that claim, saying she merely "worked" on the bailout.

Writing to the Jewish News recently, Stevens said she "Served as chief of staff on the Auto Task Force inside of the U.S. Treasury Department." 

This is a far cry from  being "chief of staff" of the entire auto bailout...

Documents show she was listed by the Treasury Department as a "special assistant" and a "confidential assistant." In a 2010 interview with American University Alumni Magazine, Stevens described her position as a confidential assistant and “chief of staff-oriented.”

Haley Stevens knows she hasn't been telling the truth to voters in the 11th, and she's quietly trying to cover her tracks.

Hopefully she won't get away with it...

Stevens faces Lena Epstein, a small business owner and former Co Chair of President Trump's historic 2016 Michigan campaign.

Epstein has real experience with auto industry related work, running an oil company with hundreds of millions in annual revenue, and around 200 employees.

Lena Epstein

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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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