Holmes, center, with Terri Lynn Land, left, and Rep. Bill Huizenga, left (Photo by Tom DeVette Photography)
By Brandon Hall (Email him at WestMiPolitics@Gmail.com
As President Lyndon Johnson was preparing to leave his office, 676 miles away-in a little town called Holland, at a little college called Hope-Dr. Jack Holmes was decorating his, getting ready for his first class as a professor.
47 years later, Holmes is calling it quits, retiring as a Hope College Professor. Holmes taught his last class a couple weeks ago.
Holmes and Rep. Bill Huizenga enjoy a laugh at the Holmes Retirement event Monday (Photo By Tom DeVette Photography)
Holmes, a fixture of the Ottawa County GOP, was honored at an event last night at New Holland Brewery in downtown Holland. He has served on the group's Executive Committee for decades, instrumental in numerous projects over the years.
He briefly left Hope to work in D.C. as the assistant to Congressman Don Brotzman for a couple years in 1973, has been extremely involved on the Hope campus, vital to programs like Model United Nations. Holmes also co-wrote a textbook while at Hope, "American Government: Essentials & Perspective."
Holmes has advised local, state, and federal politicians for decades. He has also helped lead countless campaigns, and through his work as a professor, shaped thousands of students in his famous "Campaigns and Elections" class, among many others.
One of those students is Terri Lynn Land. She was in attendance last night, along with Congressman Huizenga, State Rep. Roger Victory, State Rep. Amanda Price, Dennis Van Dam, Joey Gamrat, and many more.
The event featured speeches and no shortage of old memories. It also included a video with special messages from former Governor John Engler, Lt. Gov. Brian Calley, Sen. Majority Leader Arlan Meekhof, and other dignitaries.
From left: Dennis VanDam, Holmes, Ottawa Drain Commissioner Joe Bush, Jim Barry, State Rep. Roger Victory, Joey Gamrat (Photo by Tom DeVette Photography)
Allegan County Commissioner and political consultant Jim Storey took to Facebook praising Holmes, writing, "Jack is certainly deserving of this
recognition for all of his efforts to boost West Michigan Republicans'
effectiveness in keeping its dominance."
Former Ottawa County GOP Chair Adam Tountas tells West Michigan Politics:
"Jack Holmes has been a cornerstone of our county party for decades. I'm proud of the work he's done-and continues to do on a daily basis on behalf of the conservative movement. I'm even prouder to call him my friend."
Holmes is a legend.
"Establishment?" Yes. Far more importantly though: fair, hard working, respectful, and an all around decent guy. A dedicated patriot with a passion for his community, and his country. In an age with so much hate, rudeness, and backstabbing Dr. Jack Holmes is a shining example for future generations to emulate,
He is a class act-may he have a fantastic retirement! Thankfully, he still serves in Ottawa GOP leadership, so Holmes just may have another campaign or two in him. Take notes while you can.
Dr. Jack Holmes receives the Volunteer of the Year award for his dedication to the Ottawa County GOP in 2011
Holmes helps volunteer at Bill Cooper's "Thanks A Million, West Michigan!" food truck on a cold December night in December 2009
Dr. Jack
Holmes, center, with Ottawa County Clerk/Register Justin Roebuck, left,
and Schuette staffer Matt Hall, right at a Hope College event a couple weeks ago
>>>Rep. Huizenga recently took to the House Floor to honor Holmes. Here is the speech:
Holmes, center, with Rep. Bill Huizenga and family Monday night at the event celebrating Holmes (Photo by Tom Devette Photography)
"Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dr. Jack Holmes and his
commendable service to Hope College as a Professor of Political Science.
After graduating cum laude from Knox
College with honors in political science, Professor Holmes went on to
earn his Ph.D. in political science from the University of Denver. As a
Captain in the U.S. Army in the Politico-Military Division at the
Pentagon, Dr. Holmes researched major international political decisions
affecting the army. After his work in Washington, he moved to Holland,
Michigan, to teach at Hope College. After four years, however, he
returned to Colorado to work as the District Assistant for Congressman
Don Brotzman. This position entailed constituent relations as well as
advising on foreign policy, minority, education, and environmental
matters. Ever a true Flying Dutchmen though, Professor Holmes returned
to Hope in 1975.
Professor Holmes' experiences in the
public sector and his interest in American foreign policy and
international relations were instrumental in creating his Mood/Interest
Theory of American Foreign Policy. He has recently written a follow up
to Mood/Interest Theory called Ambivalent America: Cyclical Interactions
with Trends. Not only is Professor Holmes an excellent theorist, he has
also co-authored a national government textbook American Government:
Essentials & Perspectives as well as many other articles and
journals. He has been heavily involved in the Hope College community,
especially as faculty advisor to Model United Nations and to the Hope
Republicans. Professor Holmes has also served as a political consultant
and has been very involved with the Michigan Republican party.
Professor Holmes grew up in Colorado and
returns each summer. As an avid outdoorsman he spends the summer months
on his mountain ranch researching, writing, backpacking, fishing, and
even teaching a course on wilderness politics.
Today, April 27, 2015, we recognize
Professor Holmes for all of his tireless work and commitment to
political science and to Hope College. I want to thank Professor Holmes
for his service to Hope College, to Michigan, and to this country."
__________________________________________________________
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
State Rep. Todd Courser hangs out with State Rep. Cindy Gamrat (Photo by DarKen Photography)
By Brandon Hall (Email him at WestMiPolitics@Gmail.com
State Rep. Todd Courser blasted Kathy Berden and also attacked Mary Whiteford in a heated statement endorsing Cindy Gamrat's campaign for RNC Committeewoman.
As projected by WMP early last week, Kathy Berden bested Gamrat and Whiteford to replace Ronna Romney McDaniel as Michigan's female representative to the RNC. Berden and Whiteford advanced to a second ballot.
In part of his endorsement of Gamrat, Courser writes:
"Berden is a very nice lady but does not have the
pedigree to be much more than a stamp for Party leadership... I would expect her to
tow the party line and carry whatever votes the leadership pushes,
Progressive or Liberal. She has not shown that she would stand apart
with the grit and fortitude to advance liberty in her own local Party,
let alone on the National stage. This may not be important to you, but
to me, she has not distinguished herself as a champion of anything."
His main target though, is Mary Whiteford.
"Whiteford has virtually no political experience or resume. Except for the fact that she has attended more parties than anyone in state Party politics, she has no political resume. A
fact that seems to be missing from discussions about her is in her past
she had been active in the abortion industry and has admitted to
administering RU486 to induce abortions. She also has openly proclaimed
that she supports the expansion of Elliott Larsen to include protected
class status for homosexuals."
Courser previously had said Whiteford earlier in the week that:
"My issue here is Mary Whiteford is her position as it relates to the RNC Platform on abortion...
This alone should disqualify her from serving and cause her to withdraw from the race! As a recent member of the Michigan Republican Party
State Committee I'd urge the current committee members to NOT select
Mary Whiteford. If we can't trust her on this part of the platform, how
could we trust her on the rest of it?"
The elephant in the room: Beyond this race, which a MIRS poll had shown Gamrat slightly winning at one point before being purged from the caucus by Speaker Cotter (at the behest of Daniela Garcia and Al Pscholka), many believe Whiteford will challenge Gamrat
in the 2016 primary, POSSIBLY fueling a need in Courser's eyes for
such attacks against Whiteford. Regardless, tensions stil run immensely high from the
2014 election in which Gamrat beat Whiteford.
One of the reasons Reagan was so loved is that he was such a positive guy. He made friends of enemies, used humor and wit to battle opponents, and carried that amazing style all the way to the White House in historic fashion, winning almost every single state.
I understand tensions are high with the issues mentioned above,a s well as Gamrat's removal. I understand Courser is frustrated about those-and a number of other issues. However, saying Beden has "not distinguished herself as a champion of anything" and "does not have the
pedigree to be much more than a stamp," or that Whiteford is nothing but a party girl who should drop out of the race is kind of rude. It is conjecture, definitely not conducive to a respectful dialogue. We can do better. The foundation of a healthy, vigorous debate in our party should be focused on civility and decency, not demanding someone get out of the race while calling them names.
Mary Whiteford with son Ken (Photo By DarKen Photography)
Whiteford had enough of Courser. She took to Facebook, writing:
"I'm amazed that the lies have started again. Here was my response from last year, it applies again."
She then posted this statement from her 2014 battle against Gamrat:
ALLEGAN COUNTY DESERVES BETTER THAN RECENT ATTACKS -
Dear Friend,
Elections should be about who will best represent the people. I have chosen to run a campaign
based on listening to you by knocking on doors and attending meetings;
sharing my background as a small business owner and nurse; and outlining
my positions to build a healthy economy, support education, and defend
our Constitution and values...
One of my opponents has decided to run a smear campaign with highly
misleading mailers and emails attacking me, and I understand many
deceptive phone calls that pretend to be polls are repeating these same
smears. My opponent is so misleading that she would have you believe my
work with an organization to help domestic violence victims means I
support a worldwide liberal agenda, or that somehow I’m not pro-life,
even though Right to Life of Michigan PAC endorsed me.
I have said I
will follow the Constitution (seems pretty common sense) and my opponent
has amazingly twisted that into me opposing traditional marriage. She
also accused me of wanting to raise taxes because I said as a small
business owner, I want taxes to be simple, clear, and transparent, and
that I don’t mind doing my part by paying taxes.
In summary, I
volunteered with a group that helps domestic violence victims, I’m
endorsed by Right to Life, I have committed to following the
Constitution, and I am okay paying taxes I owe.
You, as a voter,
deserve better than this. I hope you reject these wild attacks and that
on Tuesday we send a message that these types of slash-and-burn,
misleading, dishonest campaigns have no place in Allegan County.
I
firmly believe that how candidates conduct their campaign is a clear
indication of how they will serve in office. If you give me the
privilege of representing you in the Michigan House of Representatives, I
will focus on working for solutions and representing you with honor and
integrity.
Sincerely,
Mary Whiteford"
>>>Courser admits that "About
the other two candidates, I must say in full disclosure that I do not
know them well. I make my assessments based on what they have said and
done and have not said and not done."
Courser and Gamrat are vital to the fight for liberty and limited government in our state. A more free, more prosperous Michigan is something worth fighting for, and they are working hard to do that everyday, more than almost anyone else in Lansing.
However, here, Courser should have remembered that he knows little about these women and that should have mitigated severely the strength of his attack. I am a big fan of Gamrat and Courser (and Berden and Whiteford) and I think this hurt Gamrat.
Courser too has been the victim of some disgusting smears, and his kids have even been pulled into the mix sometimes. This type of behavior is par for the course in Lansing, but Mr. Courser is better than that. Hopefully future communications reflect that fact, from Courser, and everyone else in Lansing.
I won't hold my breath for most, but hopefully Courser does his part. He'll reach more people and be more effective with a Reaganesque take on things. If he gets that style down-a more positive tone to what he is saying-watch out. The establishment will be shaking in their boots, instead of using those boots to stomp on Courser, Gamrat, and anyone else they don't like. The ball is in Courser's court, what will he do?
Courser's Full Statement:
I endorse Cindy Gamrat for National Committeewoman. The choice is clear: she is without a doubt the best candidate!
Most
of you will not be involved in the selection of the
National Committeewoman this weekend, but I felt I should pass this
along to give you an update on the inner-party campaign workings that
affect the cause of liberty, and to give you a sense of the process the
party is going thru on deciding whether or not to close down our primary
process. Some are saying that we cannot close our primary to prevent
Democrats from choosing our nominee: quite frankly, they are lying.
I
support Cindy Gamrat for Republican National Committeewoman...a note or
two on her and the other two. Keep in mind the establishment machine
wants a "yes woman" who will go along to get along and vote what she is
instructed to vote by the leadership National Republican Party.
Tomorrow the
state committee will meet to complete to crucial tasks; they will be
voting to elect the next National Committeewoman to the Republican
National Committee, it is a crucial voting seat on the committee that
will either be used to advance the progressive slide of the republican
national party or it will be used as a pulpit to advance the cause of
liberty and freedom! I urge you to support Gamrat for National
Committeewoman. She is the only candidate in this race that will make this will use this seat to advance the cause of liberty! The
committee will also decide whether or not to “close down the primary”
to stop the flood of democrats who come in to force the outcome of our
candidates.
Please use the list at the bottom of this email to
encourage the state committee members to select Gamrat as the next
National Committeewoman and also to ask them to close our primary and
let Republicans only pick our Republican nominee for president!
In
the interests of full disclosure, Representative Gamrat is my friend,
my colleague, and she is the best candidate by far in this race. The
polls initially had her leading. So right on cue, the baseless smear
campaign was put in motion, led by none other than the Speaker of the State House.
He now admits that his accusations of breaches of confidentiality were
somehow misunderstood, that there were no breaches. He admits that
there were no significant accusations to cause her removal, but he has
still refused to allow her back in. The whole rampage against her was a
reaction by "the establishment machinery" in the back needing to beat,
stain and bloody her up a bit to make sure the other two candidates
looked more appealing. These other two candidates in no way have the
resumes to be the National Committeewoman, nowhere near the same caliber
of accomplishments as Gamrat.
However, with the press and the Speaker
creating the theater and drama, Gamrat, in political terms, began to run
up hill against a mirage of accusations that turned out to be nothing
more than political theater. It is an old strategy of distracting the
voters by putting your opposition on the defense by creating scandal
around the candidate to make the public think that there is some sort of
loss of integrity and then the political stock of that person drops
while less qualified and less accomplished candidates can ride along
without having to say or do anything to show where they stand or what
they are committed to. It normally works without a hitch. The public
sees what appears to be a scandal and the establishment gets their
pick. However, in this case Gamrat has refused to bow out and let the
establishment pick have the race. Gamrat has also been a steadfast voice for closing down the primary!
Gamrat
has shown the Conservative commitment, integrity, fortitude, grit, and
courage to stand against the Progressive forces that seem to be
engulfing our Party. She has the legislative experience, the Party
experience and the courage under fire. Most remarkably, she has built up
the Annual Powwow Event into the largest Conservative event of the year
for our state and it is one of the best in the nation. The Powwow
Event is a weekend each year where the top Conservative activists from
around the state and country come together to find ways to work together
to advance the Conservative cause. Gamrat, has also been a champion on
closing down our primary system to stop the flow of Democrats that come
in to pick our candidates.
I think I can summarize what I have
seen in this charge of "her not working with her colleagues" this is my
characterization of it all and my words; she is far more dignified in
how she approaches her colleagues; yes it is true she is tough for some
of the more progressive elements within our party to work with, when
her colleagues are selling our liberty and freedom down "the river of
opportunity," she has said, "Hell, no!" When they have increased the
spending and pushed for more taxing, she has steadfast and said, "Hell,
no!" When these colleagues have threatened her and demanded she stop,
she has said, "Hell, no!" She isn't going to bend to their progressive
march and won't help people who are progressively acting to sell out our
liberty for their own personal gain! If you want a go along to get
along vote for the machine, then vote for either of the other two,
because Gamrat will be an uncompromisingly strong voice for Conservatism
in a way that neither of the other two candidates can even comprehend.
She
is absolutely a true dyed-in-the-wool fiscal and social Conservative
who has fought on the battlefield time and again to advance the
cause of Christ, our Republican platform, the cause of liberty and
freedom, the heritage of our a Founder's, and finally our Constitution. She has worked tirelessly to advance the Conservative cause around our state and nation. She
is absolutely committed to the underlying principles of liberty and has
repeatedly stood against a hostile and vicious leadership voting "no"
against their Progressive agenda items. She has advanced the "Life at
Conception" act and was the first in the nation to advance a
"Constitutional Carry" bill.
Gamrat is also committed to
advocating expanding our Party platform to include provisions for
protecting us from electronic surveillance by our government. She has
also demonstrated that she will be active in engaging our youth in our
party. She is and will be a rock solid vote on the National Committee
who will represent our party with the utmost of integrity and respect
and will never sit by as our principles and platform are overrun. I would urge you to support and vote for Cindy Gamrat for Republican National Committeewoman.
About
the other two candidates, I must say in full disclosure that I do not
know them well. I make my assessments based on what they have said and
done and have not said and not done.
Both have been asked
repeatedly a series of questions, if they would, once elected to the
committee, put forward and champion an end to funding for Planned
Parenthood; both Whiteford and Berden have refused to answer the
question. The questions were not only asked to see what their stand and
level of commitment was on life, but the questions were also asked to
see if they would be open and transparent; unfortunately neither
Whiteford or Berden were forthcoming on what if anything they would
champion if elected. Gamrat was the only one to answer the questions and
has shown both transparency and an unwavering commitment to the cause
of life. Gamrat has said she absolutely would stand for life in the
position of National Committeewoman. If they will not even answer
questions, neither Whiteford nor Berden will be vocal advocates in
defending our platform and our principles against enemies inside and
outside of the Party. Neither of them will be championing anything,
unless it is in line with where the Party leadership wants to take the
Party and neither will be strong independent voices that will stand
against this ongoing Progressive march of our National Party leadership.
All
of the candidate’s records should be examined. They should be open and
transparent in whom they are, what positions they hold, what they have
done to advance the cause of Liberty and have they been open to other
Conservative voices. You need to ask these ladies some questions about
what they have done and stood for and what they will champion if
elected. It is my suggestion that you look at where they have stood for
principles and values, and stood alone. Unless they are going to tow
the line on Party leadership, they will need to be able to stand solidly
alone on a National Committee that is overwhelmingly leaning
Progressive.
Berden is a very nice lady but does not have the
pedigree to be much more than a stamp for Party leadership. She is a
long time Party worker; but as a Party Chair she has not been a friend
to growing the Conservative base within the Party. I would expect her to
tow the party line and carry whatever votes the leadership pushes,
Progressive or Liberal. She has not shown that she would stand apart
with the grit and fortitude to advance liberty in her own local Party,
let alone on the National stage. This may not be important to you, but
to me, she has not distinguished herself as a champion of anything. You
should be asking questions about what she has been committed to and how
she has treated liberty voices in her time as County Chair. Berden has
not shown that she will or has stood against the Progressive march and I
do not expect that to change. What has she championed to advance the
Conservative cause within the Party? Where has she taken stands for
liberty? What about her makes her the best choice for National
Committeewoman? What would she do to advance the cause of marriage, life
and the rest of the platform?
Whiteford has virtually no political experience or resume. Except for the fact that she has attended more parties than anyone in state Party politics, she has no political resume. A
fact that seems to be missing from discussions about her is in her past
she had been active in the abortion industry and has admitted to
administering RU486 to induce abortions. She also has openly proclaimed
that she supports the expansion of Elliott Larsen to include protected
class status for homosexuals. During this campaign, she has refused to
allow her speaking to be videotaped. She has blocked those who have
asked what her position is on abortion, along with various other issues
and has refused to answer questions on whether she is committed to
ending all funding for Planned Parenthood.
I would urge you to support and vote for Cindy Gamrat for Republican National Committeewoman.
A
short note about closing down the primary and the lies being told to
keep it open to Democrats flooding into Republican elections…
This is
a ridiculous argument on whether or not we can close down our primary
system. First the issue of closing down the primary comes up because
the Democrats no longer have contested primaries in such high profile
races and so those left leaning voters are free to flood into the
Republican primaries to help the Republicans pick the most liberal
leaning high profile candidates. It is a huge problem for Party
integrity. Those who say that we cannot are really shut down the flow of
Democrats are not at all speaking truthfully. The real question is do
we have to use the state run and state paid for primary voting system to
select our next presidential nominee? A party can do its own system to
select its own nominees; there is no law against it. We do not have to
use the open primary system that allows and encourages Democrats to
sweep in and select the most liberal of our candidates.
We can close
down our system. We have a variety of ways to do this; it’s not that
complicated and there are plenty of ways to do it. The best options in
my mind are to use our County Party Conventions to allow the Republican
elected officials and the elected Republican delegates to cast their
ballots for who they want to be the next Republican nominee; another
option would be to have a convention where the same Republican elected
officials and delegates get to cast their ballots for who they want as
the next Republican nominee. You could also use a caucus system.
Finally, you could add in those who become members of the Michigan
Republican Party by paying their membership dues and or donating to
candidates.
Please use the list below to contact your Republican state committee
members, and urge them to vote Cindy Gamrat for RNC Committeewoman and
to stand strong and vote to close our Republican party for Republicans
only!
In Christ alone,
todd
__________________________________________________________
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
First District Chairman Jesse Osmer, left, with Herm Cain
By Brandon Hall (Email him at WestMiPolitics@Gmail.com
1st District GOP Chairman Jesse Osmer issued a statement Sunday evening explaining some of his votes at this weekend's MIGOP State Committee meeting. Osmer voted in favor of the March 8th 2016 primary, while also pushing to study other more closed options for future implementation.
"I voted for a study committee to look
at the process, because frankly, there is a big difference between the
options offered," Osmer wrote. "This is not a simple amendment change, this is a
complete rewrite of the rules. (Had an amendment been offered, it would
have been easier to investigate, and vote on, but a scorched earth
approach to our process is off the table as far as I'm concerned."
Osmer also explains a little bit about how the process played out...
Osmer's full statement:
First District Republicans:
I've had two emails asking about the
events that happened, and my votes this past Saturday morning in
Charlevoix. During State Committee, I voted against the motion to
rescind the rules currently placed for our Presidential Primary, here in
Michigan. A few quick notes, for those interested in my reasoning:
1. As a member of the Policy Committee, I voted against the motion to
rescind the rules, (it was later offered again during the general
session), however at that same meeting I
seconded the motion to create a subcommittee to investigate other
options to replace our current process. This would allow us time to
seriously study the many different options that have been offered, such
as Caucus, Convention, Closed Primary, Modified Closed Primary, and Open
Primary, to name a few. (The vote in favor to table the motion to
rescind was 10-4)
2. Later
that morning, during the general session, I voted a second time against
rescinding the rules. This is due to the fact that I just voted to
create a subcommittee to investigate the many different options and
recommendations. (The vote to accept McMillan's proposal was 23 in
favor, out of 110 possible votes, with 2/3 needed to pass)
I will
be happy to further defend my votes with anyone, simply give me a call
or email me. I am traveling tomorrow morning, but will be available
during the week after normal business hours.
Additionally, did
you know that rescinding the rules would not only change our process,
but may also affect our conventions? Some very influential individuals
who are pushing to rescind the rules, have also suggested removing the
modified until rule system? I would hope that you would agree, that with
our weather, and the slim chances of a winter convention taking place
in Copper Country, it would destroy our standing in the State at future
conventions.
Furthermore, I voted for a study committee to look
at the process, because frankly, there is a big difference between the
options offered. This is not a simple amendment change, this is a
complete rewrite of the rules. (Had an amendment been offered, it would
have been easier to investigate, and vote on, but a scorched earth
approach to our process is off the table as far as I'm concerned.
I hope this clears up any confusion. I look forward to speaking with you should you have additional questions.
__________________________________________________________
Brandon Hall is a lifelong political nerd from Grand Haven, and is the Managing Editor of West Michigan Politics.
By Brandon Hall (Email him at WestMiPolitics@Gmail.com
A source close to the situation tells West Michigan Politics that the arrest of State Senator Virgil Smith, a Detroit area Democrat, is imminent-he will also be charged within the coming days.
"He won't make it through all of session this week without a charge," the source said.
Smith allegedly fired a shotgun multiple times at his girlfriend, who also happens to be his ex-wife, early Sunday morning around 1 a.m. He missed, spraying her car with bullets from his gunfire, evidently trying to shoot her while she bolted out of Smith's Detroit area home.
News of the shooting and of Smith's imminent arrest is a huge shock. Smith is immensely well liked by both sides of the isle in Lansing, with a reputation of being friendly, hard working, and willing to work with Republicans in bills like enacting the death penalty for those who kill cops.
Smith's father was also in the legislature, serving for over twenty years.
Stay tuned...
__________________________________________________________
Brandon Hall is a lifelong political nerd from Grand Haven, and is the Managing Editor of West Michigan Politics.
Kathleen Berden, left, with supporter Rep. Candice Miller
By Brandon Hall (Email him at WestMiPolitics@Gmail.com
The Michigan Republican Party State Committee has spoken, and they have chosen Kathy Berden as the new RNC Committeewoman, replacing Ronna Romney McDaniel as Michigan's female Representative to the Republican National Committee.
She joins Dave Agema in rounding out the Michigan delegation, which includes Romney-McDaniel, who also gets a vote in RNC matters as Chair of the party.
WMP had projected Berden would win the race. She beat Mary Whiteford in a runoff.
State Rep. Cindy Gamrat was eliminated after the first round of voting.
Tom McMillin's resolution to amend the Open Primary Process was tabled on a 10-4 vote in the policy committee, leaving the March 8th Open Primary as is. A more closed system will be the subject of a study for possible implementation in future elections.
Stay tuned....
__________________________________________________________
Brandon Hall is a lifelong political nerd from Grand Haven, and is the Managing Editor of West Michigan Politics.
Kathleen Berden, left, with supporter Rep. Candice Miller
By Brandon Hall (Email him at WestMiPolitics@Gmail.com)
West Michigan Politics is projecting that Kathy Berden will come out on top at tomorrow's vote of the Michigan Republican Party's State Committee to decide who will replace Ronna Romney McDaniel as Michigan's female Representative to the RNC.
Though a MIRS poll a few weeks ago shows State Rep. Cindy Gamrat leading the
campaign to replace Ronna Romney McDaniel as Michigan's RNC
Committeewoman, a reliable source close to the situation tells WMP Kathleen
Berden will prevail.
"Kathy has almost half the districts pretty much locked up," the source
said. "She got in early, and she is in control of this race."
The MIRS poll showed Berden and Mary Whiteford trailing Gamrat, a
first term State Rep, leading with over 40%.
Gamrat has said she believes being booted from the caucus has hurt her RNC campaign, taking away the time needed to put in the race. Some have also wondered whether divisions between Gamrat and Whiteford
are bolstering Berden-who was already a strong candidate at the outset.
Gamrat and Whiteford battled it out in a fierce primary last year to
determine who would replace popular State Rep. Bob Genetski.
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
By Brandon Hall (Email him at WestMiPolitics@Gmail.com)
Wow.
Arlan Meekhof has reached a new low, playing a twisted game of "hide and seek" with Michiganders seeking basic information about their government.
In a voice vote unaccountable to Constituents and pushed for by Senate Majority Leader Arlan Meekhof, the public and media no longer have access to vital records of the Senators they elect after Senate rules were changed.
Local governments are subject to FOIA, as are most areas of federal government. Years ago though, the Michigan Legislature exempted themselves from FOIA requirements. The Senate rules allowed a similar process to FOIA, but Meekhof has JUST purged those rules, like Cindy Gamrat at a GOP Caucus meeting: they're GONE.
What did Meekhof remove from Senate rules??? Accountability from our elected officials to "we the people," and to the media. It's not like we pay for their salaries and everything that they do, including the buildings in which they do it.
The following is no longer true:
"The Secretary of the Senate shall serve as the Senate Information Officer to respond to requests for Senate financial records from the public and the media on behalf of a Senator or the Senate. All requests must include the first and last name, mailing address, and phone number of the requester.
When the Secretary of the Senate receives a written request for a public record, the Secretary shall immediately, but not more than five (5) business days after the day the request is received unless otherwise agreed to in writing by the person making the request, respond to the request by one (1) of the following:
A) Grant the request.
B) Issue a written notice to the requesting person denying the request.
C) Grant the request in part and issue a written notice to the requesting person denying the request in part.
D) Under unusual circumstances, issue a notice extending for not more than ten (10) business days the period during which the Senate shall respond to the request.
The Senate shall not issue more than one (1) notice of extension for a particular request.If the Senate fails to respond to the written request within these guidelines, there will be a fine of $250 and all Senate copying and inspection fees shall be waived."
Brian Dickerson of the Detroit Free Press wrote:
" Michigan's state senators hardly helped their cause last week when
they voted to make it more difficult for the public to obtain
information about its own financial operations.
Sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Arlan Meekhof, R-West Olive, and adopted by a voice vote April 28, Senate Resolution 43
deleted a provision in the Senate's internal rules that had required it
to respond to public requests for information within 15 days and
substantially reduced the scope of documents the Senate is required to
make public.
Under the revised disclosure rules, state senators
may refuse to provide records of their official Internet use or "any
other document or record protected from public disclosure by agreement,
contract, Senate rule or law," which would seem to exempt just about
anything a senator doesn't want voters to see."
Now if you want something, Arlan tells you to go to hell. Don't listen? He'll call the cops on you like he frequently does to reporters who come to his office and ask simple questions.
Welcome to the circus-Meekhof is the ringmaster, you're just a spectator.
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Brandon Hall is a lifelong political nerd from Grand Haven, and is the Managing Editor of West Michigan Politics.
