"Gary Peters has misread the sentiments of the people of Oakland County and he is not representing us.  Rather than fight for job creation and economic growth, Peters votes hand-in-hand with Barack Obama and the Democrat leadership to spend taxpayer money we don't have on government programs we can't afford.  We need private sector incentives that create real, long lasting jobs that will spark our economy to get it growing again.  Unfortunately, the Obama -Peters-Pelosi team in Washington supports a bigger federal government approach every time.  It won't work and has to stop.  I intend to offer real alternatives because I know we can - and must - do better.  I will give the voters of the 9th Congressional District a very real choice as to the direction of our nation and challenge Congressman Peters to debate these issues every chance we get."

Welday is President and CEO of Renaissance Strategies, a leading Michigan-based public relations and public affairs consulting firm.  He served as Chief of Staff to former US Representative Joe Knollenberg (R-MI) from 1993-2002.  He had previously served as Chief of Staff to Omaha, Nebraska Mayor P.J. Morgan, Executive Director of the Oakland County Republican Party and as a member of the Farmington Hills Planning Commission.