AWOL: John James Skips First Republican Gubernatorial Debate

 

By Brandon Hall

(Email him at WestMIPolitics@Gmail.com)

In The Shining, Jack Nicholson famously breaks through the door with an ax announcing, "here's Johnny!"

At the first Republican Gubernatorial debate Wednesday night in Sparta, the question was, "where's Johnny?"

As in Jumpin' John James, who was "AWOL," nowhere to be found---the only primary candidate who couldn't be bothered to show up.

Milk boxes highlighting James' suspicious absence were prominently featured at multiple tables. 

Senate Republican Leader Aric Nesbitt blasted James right away, in his first answer of the evening.

“I want to thank my colleagues for actually showing up here,” Nesbitt said. “The first step of winning next year is actually showing up. … It’s unfortunate that John James decided not to show up today, and after the two times that he’s lost statewide... If we don’t figure it out, next year is [going to be] the third time.”

Former Attorney General Mike Cox agreed with Nesbitt's assessment.

“Amen Aric," Cox said. "We don’t grow Michigan by electing people who don’t show up to work, we don't win by electing people who are abandoning President Trump’s majority in the House and now abandoning all of you."

James opted to spend his time in Detroit instead of debating...

In addition to Nesbitt and Cox, truck driver Anthony Hudson, Pastor Ralph Rebandt, former Michigan Speaker Of The House Tom Leonard, and AxMiTax founder Karla Wagner were in attendance.

The debate, which was moderated by Dave Bondy, also doubled as a fundraiser for the Michigan Republican Party's 2026 campaign efforts.

Two more debates are scheduled for this year: one November 4th in Roseville, and one in Traverse City on November 20th.

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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: State Rep. Angela Rigas TERRORIZED At Home By Radical Leftists For Supporting ICE🚨

Halloween came early for State Rep. Angela Rigas this year as radical leftist extremists showed up at her HOUSE---not for trick or treating---but to terrorize her for supporting ICE!

-Brandon Hall

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 Anti-ICE Activists Target Home of Conservative Michigan Representative

By Jordan Epperson

(Email him at WestMiPolitics@Gmail.com)

While footage of anti-ICE protestors clashing with law enforcement in cities like Portland and Chicago dominates much of the newscycle, things are heating up right here in West Michigan.

Over the weekend, left-wing activists clad in masks and black bloc unlawfully trespassed the home of firebrand conservative State Rep. Angela Rigas (R-Caledonia).

The protestors, reportedly angered by Rigas’ decision to co-sponsor a bill package targeting illegal immigration, gathered in the street before making their way onto Rigas’ lawn and front porch, attempting to intimidate her and peering through the door and windows.

Several still shots from Rigas’ RING Doorbell Camera

show multiple activists on her front porch while others remain on the street.

“When extremists don't get their way, this is the kind of abhorrent behavior they resort to,” Rigas said in a statement. “I will not cave to their insane demands. I will always prioritize the safety of American citizens over dangerous illegal criminals.”

The protest and subsequent extremist activity comes after Rigas co-sponsored House Bills 4436 and 4437, which would make it a felony to harbor an illegal alien in the state of Michigan, as well as House Bills 4438, 4439, and 4442, which would prohibit municipalities from declaring themselves as ‘Sanctuary Cities’ and withhold revenue sharing payments from them if they refuse to cooperate with federal immigration authorities. 

A lone protester in the road in front of Rep. Rigas’ house. The black bloc style bears a striking resemblance to ANTIFA, which was recently designated a domestic terror organization by President Trump.

The bills were named directly in a letter attached to one of the signs, addressed to Rep. Rigas, which one of the protests held in front of her doorbell camera.

“Rep. Rigas,” the letter begins. “We demand that you retract your co-sponsorship of Michigan House Bills 4336, 4337, 4338, and and 4342, all of which will increase the terrorism by ICE agents and criminalize anyone who shows any compassion or demonstrates any solidarity with undocumented immigrants. Shame on you for co-sponsoring these abhorrent bills. We are giving you the opportunity to change your position and support undocumented immigrants by signing this document.”

Letter addressed to Rep. Rigas on the sign of one of the protestors.

The bills are part of a broader effort by Michigan House Republicans, led by Speaker Matt Hall (R-Richland) to directly tackle illegal immigration. Soon after being elected speaker at the beginning of the year, Hall shook Lansing up by proposing a rule that would prohibit sanctuary jurisdictions from receiving funds in the state budget.

“I want to send a clear message to you,” Hall said at a press conference in February. “If you’re going to be a sanctuary township, it’s gonna put your state funding at risk.”

State Representative Angela Rigas (left) and Speaker of the House Matt Hall (right).

Despite the left-wing agitation on Saturday, Rigas lives in and represents an overwhelmingly Republican district, winning re-election in 2024 by over 32 percentage points. While beloved in her district, her staunch conservative values, fiery personality, and leading role as a subcommittee chair on the House Oversight Committee have made her plenty of foes on the left.

Rigas’ office confirms that the representative has already received multiple death threats this year, and quickly reported Saturday’s trespass to the Kent County Sheriff’s Office. 

Dana Nessel FURIOUS As Speaker Hall Cuts AG's Office In New State Budget

 

By Brandon Hall

(Email him at WestMIPolitics@Gmail.com)

The new state budget cuts Attorney General Dana Nessel's general fund by 21%---with a ~3% cut overall. 

The budget also funds specific line items within the AG's office, severely limiting Nessel's ability to use lawfare against her political opponents, and others she doesn't like.

Speaker Of The House Matt Hall pushed for the cuts to the AG's office, while Governor Whitmer and Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks didn't do much to help spare Nessel.

Nessel told Tim Skubick she thinks the cuts are revenge from Speaker Hall because of her lawsuits against President Trump and his administration.

Hall says the media isn't talking enough about the issue.

"I don't think we're getting enough credit from the press about the significant cuts that have been made to the attorney general's office," Hall said at a recent press conference.

Hall wants the Attorney General's office to focus on real issues like elder abuse and consumer protection instead of political lawsuits.

The new budget spells out “operations” into 31 separate line items, according to the House Fiscal Agency, like health care fraud, public service division, corporate oversight,

“It was one of the hardest parts of the negotiations, but we broke it up into 34 line items,” Hall said. “That's going to make it a lot harder for them to spend money on lawfare.”

The cuts---along with these changes to the way Nessel's office budget is structured---will hinder her ability to use lawfare against innocent Michiganders---like the 2020 Alternate Electors, who had all the charges against them dismissed.

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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: Speaker Hall Kills Bill From Senate Dems Raising Hunting And Fishing Fees🚨

By Brandon Hall

(Email him at WestMIPolitics@Gmail.com)

The Democrat State Senate passed legislation attempting to increase fees for hunting and fishing licenses on Tuesday---but Speaker Of The House Matt Hall killed it immediately.

Hunting, fishing, and having fun outdoors has always been a strong part of Michigan's culture, and Hall believes government should make it easier—not harder—for families to enjoy.

Speaker Hall has made it clear that he will never raise fees on Michigan's hunters and fishermen. 

"We're never going to have increases in our hunting and fishing fees as long as I'm Speaker," Hall said while pronouncing the bill dead on arrival in the House. “We’re not going to do it. I don’t know what their obsession is with raising hunting and fishing fees. It’s never going to happen."

According to the Michigan Advance:

"Hunting and fishing fees in Michigan would increase to net revenue of more than $20 million under a bill passed by the Senate on Tuesday, which was met with staunch opposition from Republicans in both chambers of the Legislature.

The bills raising the fees were sprung on Senate lawmakers during session held Tuesday and were not initially on the agenda.

Senators ultimately voted 23-13 on Senate Bill 276, sponsored by Sen. John Cherry (D-Flint) which would raise the fees.

A breakdown of the final passed version, which was amended in committee prior to reaching the Senate floor, shows that a complete resident license for both hunting and fishing would now cost outdoors folk $150 per person, while nonresidents would pay $450 per person."

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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

↘️Despite #WhitmerWeedTax, Speaker Hall And House Republicans Score Huge Wins In Budget Fight

 

By Brandon Hall

(Email him at WestMIPolitics@Gmail.com)

As the clock struck midnight, Michigan didn't have a new budget passed, as required by the Constitution.

No budget? No problem! At least according to Governor Whitmer. By 3 am, before any services could be impacted, a temporary 1 week budget was passed by the legislature as the final details for this year get ironed out.

One of the biggest issues remaining: an immensely controversial wholesale marijuana tax increase.

And please, make no mistake: it's the #WhitmerWeedTax.  

Whitmer proposed it. Whitmer's insisting on it. Whitmer won in 2022. Whitmer controls the Democrat State Senate.

Speaker Hall's budget had no such weed tax. 

Speaker Of The House Matt Hall

If Republicans ran the Governor's office and State Senate, it wouldn't be happening.

But we don't---so it is.

The original tax proposal was 31%, and that is now down to 24%. 

Sources say it could go down to 10-20%, but that there will definitely be some sort of weed tax raise at the end of the day.

Michigan's marijuana industry has already been on shaky ground. Now, industry leaders say  Michigan will see significantly less out of state buyers, and up to 50,000 jobs could be on the line if the #WhitmerWeedTax goes into effect.

Hundreds of demonstrators gathered at the Capitol yesterday, demanding the Democrat Senate reject the increase.

Aside from the horrendous #WhitmerWeedTax, this is a FANTASTIC budget compared to recent years ️ 

Speaker Matt Hall, Appropriations Chair Ann Iatrow Bollin, Appropriations Vice Chair Matt Maddock, and the Michigan House Republicans are delivering a budget that: 

Eliminates billions in waste, fraud, and abuse 

Doesn't pay for fake, "ghost employees" 

Ends taxes on tips, and overtime 

 Requires transparency on all special projects

  Cuts government spending

Stay tuned for more details...

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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

Mike Duggan's Calculated Silence About What Happened To Charlie Is Sickening And Totally Unacceptable

By Brandon Hall

(Email him at WestMIPolitics@Gmail.com)

Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan's calculated silence on the assassination of Charlie Kirk is sickening, and totally unacceptable.

Duggan, running for Governor as an Independent, was the only candidate in the race who didn't issue a response to his public execution last month in Utah.

I certainly understand not wanting to rush right into a tragedy, instead waiting for the facts to come in, being respectful of the situation---so I waited patiently for Duggan's statement. Spoiler alert: the statement never came! 

I guarantee you a statement was drafted, just not released. Why?

Politically speaking, it was quite shocking to see Duggan miss a key moment to make inroads with Republicans, the group of voters he struggles with the most according to poll numbers.

If Duggan thinks he can win on just "moderates," he better wake the hell up quickly: the only way Duggan can get to that magic ~40% number is if he picks off some Trump Republican voters, especially in rural areas---his operation in the cities and suburbs alone might get him close, but won't be enough to deliver Duggan the win.

I have followed Mike Duggan for nearly 15 years, since I first heard he was going to be running for Mayor.

His historic write in campaign after getting thrown off the ballot was immensely impressive.

Though Detroit still has a long ways to go, especially outside of downtown and surrounding neighborhoods, anyone who has spent some time there the last decade has seen firsthand how successful many of Duggan's efforts have been. Rick Snyder laid the foundation with the bankruptcy, and Duggan has built greatly on that. (I still won't be going to a Detroit gas station anytime soon, though.)

To be totally honest, I really like the idea of a TRUE Independent Governor coming to Lansing, and giving a giant middle finger to both parties after decades of their BS. 

And the political nerd in me loves ruminating on just how historic an Independent campaign with a candidate who has Duggan's political acumen, name ID, and financial backing could turn out---we've never seen anything like it in Michigan history.  

But is Mr. Duggan truly Independent?

He says he left the Democrat Party because they became too extreme, I can believe that.

After all, Donald Trump was a Manhattan Democrat. Ronald Reagan was a Hollywood Democrat. 

Some of our best leaders in the Republican Party right now---Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr and Director Of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard for instance---are former Democrats.

 I was at least willing to give him a chance to be heard.

However, the only logical conclusion is that Duggan and his team purposefully calculated that a statement about Charlie might cost him support with some of the same members of the radical left that are allegedly why he left the party in the first place:  What other reason could there possibly be? Sorry, Mike: that dog don't hunt.

Like Fleetwood Mac said, "if you don't love me now, you wilI never love me again." If Duggan doesn't value Conservatives enough to bother even pretending to care right now as he's trying to earn votes, why the hell would he start magically caring about us in January 2027?

I was very "Duggan Curious." And I still have a lot of respect for Duggan's leadership skills, and political IQ.

If "Jumpin' John James" or Kevin Rinke hijacks the Republican nomination, I'll take another look, but right now, I'm swiping left on Mike Duggan.

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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