Did Arlan Meekhof Lie To Dave Agema?

Did Arlan Meekhof Lie To Dave Agema?

When asked about the issue Wednesday night, Agema said that in 2010, he was approached by a group of conservative leaders who wanted him to run for State Senate.

They had done some polling, and Agema would do quite well in the race if he decided to jump in...

Agema did not want to run, and decided to talk to Meekhof, a State Rep. and only major candidate in the race at the time, to make sure Agema's pet issue, e-verify, would be taken care of by Meekhof if Meekhof won.

Meekhof agreed, Agema said.

Subsequently, when Meekhof defeated Brett VanderKamp in a brutal primary battle, Meekhof claimed he forgot ever making the promise to Agema and would take no action regarding e-verify...

Who Will Replace Tountas as Ottawa GOP Chair? From Attema to VanEssen, 7 Possibilities:

  With Adam Tountas making it official that he will not seek 

Tountas

another term as Ottawa GOP Chair, our inbox quickly started to fill up with a few possible candidates to replace him.                   

(None are officially running nor have they confirmed any interest.)

  Here are the SEVEN most notable:

Joe Haveman is rumored to be eying Arlan Meekhof's State Senate seat in 2018, and a term as Ottawa GOP Chair could be a good interim gig...

Haveman

Dustin Attema was rumored to be considering a run at the State House, but he did not jump in the race. Perhaps he will run for this position? Young and immensely talented, Attema could do quite well in whatever race he pursues... 

Attema

Jim Holtrop dropped out of the State House race in the 90th and has not filed to run again for County Commissioner. This position might catch his eye... January will be the first time in 32 years Holtrop will not serve as an elected municipal official...

Holtrop

Jim Chiodo is the Chairman of the Ottawa County Patriots, is running for Precinct Delegate, and recently ran for MI GOP Outreach Chair...

Chiodo

Mike Hewitt, former Tountas foe and State House candidate, now a radio show host and business owner, could make things interesting if he decided to contest the race...

Hewitt

Jeff Fuss has challenged Tountas before...

Fuss

Amanda VanEssen lost to Roger Victory by only 88 votes in an epic battle for State House in 2012... Chairman VanEssen could keep busy until the 2018 State Senate race or position herself for a run at another office such as Attorney General or Ottawa County Prosecutor...

VanEssen

WMP Event Alert: Ottawa County Patriots Host 90th District Candidate Forum TONIGHT In Zeeland

WMP Event Alert: Ottawa County Patriots Host 90th District Candidate Forum Tonight In Zeeland

 Tonight, at 7 pm at Zeeland's Herman Miller Library, the Ottawa County Patriots will host a forum for the candidates running in the 90th District State House race.

All candiates will be in attendance, except Daniela Garcia. Garcia, Government Affairs Director for Spectrum Health, ignored West Michigan Politics inquiry regarding whether she would be attending.

After WMP did an article, we were called by the Sentinel who then called Ms. Garcia. Garcia has a "prior commitment."

More information is available here:

https://www.facebook.com/events/264860567035261/?ref=br_tf

WMP Event Alert: Lt. Governor Calley Campaigns With Amash in GR Monday

Monday night in Grand Rapids, (tomorrow, July 7th) Rep. Justin Amash will be joined at a campaign fundraiser by Lt. Gov. Brian Calley and Speaker of the Michigan House Jase Bolger.

It's an impressive showing for Amash, who is usually left in the dust when it comes to support from the GOP "establishment."


The event takes place from 5:30-7 at Brann's Kitchen 67 in Grand Rapids and tickets are $50. Student tickets are available for $20.






More information is available here:

https://www.facebook.com/events/600717680042645/

Take the poll: Does Geoff Haveman's sign look like Joe Haveman's sign from 2008?

Does Geoff Haveman's sign look like Joe Haveman's sign from 2008?



Read the article with the allegations from Rep. Haveman's wife and judge for yourself on westmipolitics.blogspot.com

Haveman Signs Don’t Appear To Look Similar Despite Previous Claims

Haveman Signs Don’t Appear To Look Similar Despite Previous Claims

Earlier this year, State Rep. Joe Haveman’s wife Kim took to Facebook claiming that Geoff Haveman, a candidate to replace her husband in the State House, was misrepresenting the Haveman name  in his quest to win the Republican primary in August. Haveman represents the 90^th District.

She said his colors were "exactly" the same as her husbands and told people not to be fooled by Geoff Haveman's "name or colors."

WZZM ran a story about the controversy, which one can view here.

http://www.wzzm13.com/video/3517615942001/1/Candidate-criticized-for-misrepresenting-Haveman-name

In a picture obtained by West Michigan Politics, the two signs don’t seem to look similar at all.

Judge for yourself below.

Joe Haveman did not respond to our request for a comment.

Kreuger for State Senate? (Don't Bet On It)

As many members of Ottawa County's political elite mingled, BS'd and schmoozed at the swearing in ceremony for the new County Clerk/Register of Deeds Justin Roebuck, Dan Kreuger made a quick exit.

 He has seen this movie before in his 36 years as Ottawa County Clerk. 

"I'm getting out of here," Kreuger told Roebuck as he leaned in closer. "This is your day, not mine. I'm very proud of you."



A piece of cake or some punch?

Kreuger "ain't got time for that." After talking with Roebuck, Dan and his wife Mary headed home, Kreuger leaving the County building as just a "regular citizen" for the first time in over 35 years.

Roebuck and Kreuger chat before Kreuger's exit

WMP asked if he would run for something else, perhaps State House in 2016 or State Senate in 2018.

"Nope," Kreuger said with a smile as he walked toward his car. "I'm done, it's time for others to serve. I mean, never say never, but nope, I'm done."

No longer beholden to people like County Administrator Al Vandenberg, who Kreuger frequently clashed with, one can see the joy in Kreuger's eyes as he enters the next phase in his life.

When WMP offered him a lunch to discuss his tenure as County Clerk, (I owe Dan lunch randomly for something haha) Kreuger replied with a smile "You know where to find me."

Kreuger served Ottawa County well over his decades in office. Focusing on constituents and office innovations, Kreuger made Ottawa County proud. I think some local officeholders and certain candidates could learn a lot from him, especially in the realm of accessibility-his door was always open. 

Everything we know about Mr. Roebuck tells us the Circuit Court judges couldn't have picked a better replacement.

Quote of the event: Chief Circuit Court Judge Ed Post, always full of humor, jokingly told Roebuck's Dad "See, you bet me he wouldn't amount to anything! You owe me five bucks!"