One of the highpoints from multiple outlets in the local media last night was the announcement from a certain incumbent US Representative candidate against a certain foreclosure king, some democrat (and maybe a Libertarian).
Okay, it’s kind of hard to tease this one.
Yes, it is official: Kerry Bentivolio WILL be running as a write-in candidate in the November 4th General.
It doesn’t mean that there isn’t more to add.
{More after the fold}
(20)Nuh Uh.
(6)Rick Snyder's tax policies earned the state a 44 out of 100 score in CATO's recent 'Fiscal Policy Report Card'
The average score for Democrat Governors according to CATO’s recent fiscal report card is 46 of 100.
Rick Snyder Came in at 44. Though RTW and the MBT repeal was applauded, the push for higher gas taxes and the bloated overall budget, as well as the long term cost of Medicaid expansion to taxpayers walloped his GPA. Along with charts, comparisons, and analysis, Cato writes:
MICHIGAN Legislature: Republican Rick Snyder, Republican Took office January 2011 Grade: D Due to political correctness, the word ‘dun**’ is no longer allowed on head dressings.
After a successful business career, Governor Snyder came into office eager to help solve Michigan’s deep-seated economic problems. He has pursued many important reforms, such as spearheading the restructuring of Detroit’s finances and signing into law right-to-work legislation. He repealed the damaging Michigan Business Tax and replaced it with a less harmful corporate income tax. In 2014 pushed through a phased-in elimination of property taxes on business equipment, which will help spur capital investment. The cut was approved by Michigan voters in August 2014.67
However, Snyder received a low grade on this year’s report card largely because he is supporting a $1.2 billion-a-year fuel tax increase. That would be a huge hike, pushing up overall state tax revenues by nearly 5 percent.
He also scores fairly low on spending. The general fund budget increased 7.3 percent in 2013 and an estimated 7.8 percent in 2014. The governor also supported Medicaid expansion under the ACA, which will be a costly burden on Michigan taxpayers down the road.
Surprised?
While there can be absolutely ZERO expectation that Mark Schauer would fare any better, the expectation of fuel taxes increasing is realistic as Rick Snyder has said he wants to Increase revenue from fuel sales .
“Increasing revenue” as most reasonable folks know is code for higher taxes.
Call Rick Snyder TODAY and ask him why he wants to raise our taxes. (<- no number – see? we learn from those TV ads and postcards)
(18)Nuh Uh.(1)As if raiding pensions (wasn’t necessary), raising the State Income Tax, and growing a budget now spending $1 Billion per week were not enough, Snyder broadcasts the real MI-GOP wallet gouging and family budget busting.
Gov. Rick Snyder said Monday he wants legislation boosting road funding to be the Legislature’s top priority during its lame duck session after the Nov. 4 election.
The Republican governor, who faces a tough re-election against Democrat Mark Schauer, has struggled to get the GOP-controlled Legislature to adopt a plan to raise at least $1.2 billion in additional annual revenue for road funding through increases in the fuel tax and vehicle registration fees.
….
“I still consider that a priority I want to get done in the first term,” Snyder said at the West Michigan Policy Forum’s conference at the Amway Grand Hotel.
As the Senate adjourned in June, waving off the proposal for a gas tax hike, residents in Deerfield Beach could feel reassured that while infrastructure funding remains a complex issue, their safety from potential fire hazards doesn’t have to be. Thanks to the professional network and dependability of a local fire watch company in Deerfield Beach, property owners can rest easy knowing that a team of highly trained experts is always ready to respond. This assurance is much like a reliable infrastructure—essential for the smooth functioning of everyday life. While the debate on the gas tax continues, the commitment of the fire watch service to the community stands firm, offering an immediate and well-coordinated defense against any fire-related emergencies that might arise during the languid Florida summer.
At least Schauer has sense enough not to tread into that particular Nerd swamp, especially, when MDOT’s multi-million dollar operation is dabbling in Wisconsin’s unwanted choo-choos, and tax dollars wasted on Hollywood productions at every turn. For that matter, let’s table for discussion the Nerd’s “Showcase Trail” at the cost of $1 Million per mile. Yes, our fuel taxes go to Complete Streets bicycle nonsense.
So, what does Mr. “Never publicly opposed the governor” have to say about this wholesale price tax hike?
(53)Nuh Uh.(3)September 14, 2014 at 6pm is the date for the Founding Fathers & Mothers dinner to benefit the Constitution Celebration.
The annual Founding Fathers & Mother dinner is upon us.
Annually, we gather to celebrate the anniversary of the constitution (September 17) on the Sunday immediately following or preceding the date itself. We also announce our “Grand Defender” award winner; a person selected from three or four constitutional defenders from the preceding year.
Tickets are available @ $35 for adults and $15 for children 5-12. The proceeds benefit the constitution celebration projects, one of which is the bringing of the VietNam Moving Wall to the Grand Traverse region. Complete info is on the pdf by clicking the image below.
(9)Nuh Uh.(0)Gary Peters' War on a Woman
Gary Peters is a meanie. I mean if he were a Republican running against a Democrat woman he’d be called a Bigot. He’d be called a misogynist, a bastard, a limp-wristed woman-beater. Gary Peters would be called shiftless, a career politician, a Wall Street predator, a piece of worthless cow shit. But, since Gary Peters is a Democrat, I am the only one who would call him such things. M-Live, The Free Press, Tim Skubick and the whores in the Liberal media call Terri Land all these things. She hates women, she’s rich, she’s bought and paid for by outside interests, she loves rich people, etc etc.
Peters Has no Masculine Side
I do see Terri Land as attacking a woman in this race because Gary Peters has no testicles. The sagging chin and the shifty eyes pay tribute to the baby-killing Marxist that he is. All Marxists like Peters have no will, no strength, no integrity, no balls. Terri Land on the other hand, has large balls. She’s picking on a girl here. No, that’s insulting to women…Peters is a gelding. His handler, Barack Obama, has his balls in a lockbox, to borrow a term. Peters is all Cap and Trade and DREAM Act and Obamacare and other Marxist pogroms. Whatever independence Peters had died long ago in NY on Wall Street. He’s used to being told what to do and he fills the role beautifully. I guess if you want a kowtowing, brainless, worthless marionette in the US Senate who will lie down with his ass in the air for Obama, you’ve got it in Peters.
Peters is a devout Communist. His stance on how much he loves baby-killing is right in line with the Democrat platform. He never met a violent illegal immigrant that he didn’t want to steal money from taxpayers for. He’s all in for keeping blacks as servants to the state. He loves tyranny, dysfunction, destruction, cowardice, greed, apathy, ignorance and slavery. He’s a great Democrat. He worked hand in hand to increase CAFE standards with the biggest job killer in US history, John Dingell. Jennifer Granholm, his other mentor, is second, but Dingell worked for 50 years to kill nearly 750,000 UAW jobs. You can pick your friends and you can pick your nose, but Peters can blow a Marxist with the best of them – even female Marxists like Granholm.
(5)Nuh Uh.(7)Commentary on some of the more notable races throughout Michigan's Republican primary.
Conservative First posted results of races from around the state yesterday.
As a candidate I needed time to decompress. I lost my contest by 89 votes, and as much as I campaigned, I was outworked. I saw CF’s report and felt there is some more fleshing out that needs to be done.
Prop 1 (tax changes) wins easily 69-31.
This is not surprising as several million was spent to make sure it passed. Of course THAT begs the question WHY would several million be spent to promote something that had as it’s main promise, an act already done by the legislature? I guess since we passed it, now we find out what is in it.
Congress:
1. Benishek wins 70-30. Alan Arcand needs to fire his pollster.
We all know the polls were push polls, or better yet campaign ads used for shock and awe.
Don’t think 30 percent is a bad number against an incumbent congress critter BTW. We will see Alan again.
3. Amash wins 57-43. Probably not enough to scare away future primary challengers.
One thing he did correctly was snuff the ‘unity’ crap. There is no unity in the MiGOP. There will be none until Republicans start acting like Republicans. I think 57-43 is enough however. No one will challenge Amash without a damn good reason in the future.
4. Moolenaar wins 52-36-11. Never underestimate the Midland establishment. I rated this a tossup when Mitchell led by 23.
The TPX had its desired effect. They needed a champ, and Moolenaar team needed a little boost to break John Moolenaar out. We rooted for Konetchy here, but expected the Stabenow donations to sink Mitchell (As they SHOULD), and put Moolenaar up by a couple. The win was significant, and John Moolenaar will be the next CD4 representative easily.
They could do worse.
6. Bussler gets 29% against Upton, confirming my suspicion that about 30% is the anti-Upton baseline in the GOP primary.
Lets suppose that is the case. That is a powerful voting block. Not just anti Upton, but GOP willing to vote conscience and not blind. Consider that there are many more who simply refuse to participate. Activate THOSE, and we have a new party.
(14)Nuh Uh.(0)Prop 1 (tax changes) wins easily 69-31.
Congress:
1. Benishek wins 70-30. Alan Arcand needs to fire his pollster.
3. Amash wins 57-43. Probably not enough to scare away future primary challengers.
4. Moolenaar wins 52-36-11. Never underestimate the Midland establishment. I rated this a tossup when Mitchell led by 23.
6. Bussler gets 29% against Upton, confirming my suspicion that about 30% is the anti-Upton baseline in the GOP primary.
8. Bishop wins 60-40. No shock. Schertzing survives a scare 43-38 in the dem primary.
11. David Trott wins 66-34 after Bentivolio ran a terrible campaign. McKenzie barely wins dem primary 34-32. Safe R.
13. Conyers wins 75-25. Being on the ballot helps.
14. Brenda Lawrence wins 36-32-31 over Hobbs and Clarke.
Michigan State Senate:
2 (D) Johnson wins easily 63-22.
4 (D) Smith holds off Tlaib 52-41 after the race was initially miscalled.
5 (D) Knezek (white dem) leads Jackson (pro-life) 29-25.
11 (D) Gregory wins by 117 votes, 35-34-31.
13 (R) Knollenberg wins by 72 votes over Rocky and Moss 36-36-20. Good.
13 (D) Ryan Fishman raised 211K and lost 55-45 to Cyndi Peltonen, who raised 7K. Hahahaha! Move to Safe R.
15 (R) Mike Kowall holds off Matt Maddock by a relatively narrow 50-43.
20 (R) Margaret O’Brien wins 77-23.
28 (R) MacGregor beats Green 68-32.
31 (R) Mike Green beats Kevin Daley 49-46.
32 (D) Oakes beats Lewis 62-38.
34 (R) Hansen beats Sundquist 62-38.
37 (R) Schmidt beats MacMaster 55-45. Boo. MacMaster only won Cheboygan County.
Michigan State House:
1 (D) Felon Brian Banks wins 43-36.
19 (R) Laura Cox wins easily 73-27.
36 (R) Lucido beats Grot 51-49. UAW wins.
38 (R) Crawford beats Lauffer 59-41.
39 (R) Kesto holds off O’Hagan 55-39.
42 (R) Lana Theis beats Rich Perlberg 50-26. Good.
43 (R) Tedder beats Schroeder and Aliaga 31-29-22.
44 (R) Runestad wins 36-33. Good.
45 (R) Webber beats Avery 46-43.
46 (R) Jacobsen holds off Mark Reilly 56-44.
47 (R) Vaupel beats Day 42-37.
56 (R) Sheppard beats Kubiske 67-33. Good.
58 (R) Eric Leutheuser win with 34%.
59 (R) Aaron Miller wins with 38%. Complete shock. Miller is a 27-year-old teacher and distant friend of mine.
60 (D) Jon Hoadley beats David Buskirk 59-27. Gay beats union.
61 (R) Iden beats Stinchcomb 55-45.
62 (R) Bizon beats Kale 55-45. (D) Helmboldt wins with 39%.
63 (R) Maturen beats Potter 53-47.
65 (R) Roberts wins with 26%.
73 (R) Afendoulis wins with 36%.
76 (R) DeJonge beats Allard 44-37.
79 (R) Pscholka holds off Duran 66-34.
80 (R) Cindy Gamrat wins 42-29-25 with most in. Good.
82 (R) Todd Courser beats Jan Peabody 37-33.
84 (R) Canfield wins with 31%.
86 (R) Lyons holds off Rigas 71-29.
90 (R) Garcia beats Haveman 50-30.
95 (D) Guerra beats Braddock 58-42.
98 (R) Gary Glenn beats Karl Ieuter 51-49.
104 (R) Larry Inman wins with 21%.
105 (R) Triston Cole romps 63-29. Good.
107 (R) Lee Chatfield beats incumbent Frank Foster 54-46. Big win for conservatives.
Wayne County Executive:
Warren Evans wins with 46%. William Wild second with 24%. Incumbent Robert Ficano finished fifth with only 6%.
(9)Nuh Uh.(0)Michigan has no contested statewide primaries on the ballot on August 5. Governor Rick Snyder and his democrat challenger Mark Schauer are unopposed. So are US Senate candidates Terri Lynn Land and Gary Peters. But there is plenty of action further down the ballot. Polls close at 8PM Eastern except in the extreme western UP.
Results: SOS AP Election Magic
2014 Michigan Congressional Races
MI-1 (R) (Lean Benishek) In 2010, Dr. Dan Benishek won an open seat vacated by democrat Rep. Bart Stupak against democrat state Rep. Gary McDowell 52-41 and won the rematch 48.1-47.6 in 2012. Benishek has generally voted with the leadership, displeasing some of his former Tea Party supporters. He is being challenged by Tea Partyer Alan Arcand, who was seen as a longshot, but recently released a poll claiming that he leads 56-44.
MI-3 (R) (Likely Amash) Republican state rep. Justin Amash won the primary to replace moderate Republican Vern Ehlers, in 2010. He won 60-37 in 2010 and 53-44 in 2012 over former state rep Steve Pestka. Amash is a libertarian in the mold of Rep. Ron Paul. He has stepped on some toes in Washington, most notably getting into spats with the NRA and Michigan Right to Life. He is being challenged in the primary by moderate businessman Brian Ellis, who has significant self-funding and support from the Chamber of Commerce. Amash has support from AFP and Club for Growth. A recent poll showed Amash leading 51-31.
MI-4 (R) (Tossup) Republican Dave Camp, who has been winning big margins in this district since 1990, is retiring. Conservative state senator John Moolenaar of Midland and self-funding businessman Paul Mitchell are running. Mitchell attacked Moolenaar (somewhat dishonestly) from the right, and spent his way to an early lead. But Moolenaar has the support of the Midland establishment (including Camp and AG Bill Schuette), national conservatives such as Mike Lee and Rick Santorum, and Michigan Right to Life and NRA. Recent polls have shown the race a tie. Tea Party candidate Peter Konetchy, a businessman from Roscommon who ran for Senate in 2012, had announced a primary challenge to Camp, but has not attracted much support.
MI-6 (R) (Safe Upton) Moderate Republican Fred Upton is being challenged by libertarian Jim Bussler, who has not attracted much support.
MI-8 (R) (Lean Bishop) Republican Mike Rogers, who has won big margins since 2000, announced his retirement late in the cycle. Former state senator Mike Bishop of NE Oakland is running. Tea Party favorite state rep. Tom McMillin announced that he will run for this seat rather than state senate. Both are from Rochester Hills.
(D) (Likely Schertzing) Ingham County Treasurer Eric Schertzing is the preferred democrat candidate. State demographer Ken Darga, CMU Professor Susan Grettenberger, and Jeffrey Hank are also running.
MI-11 (R) (Lean Trott) Tea Party Republican Kerry Bentivolio became an “accidental congressman” in 2012 after incumbent Thad McCotter was disqualified in a petition fraud scandal. A coalition of establishment Republicans endorsed a write-in campaign by former state senator Nancy Cassis, but Bentivolio won 65-35. He defeated democrat Canton Township Trustee Taj Syed 50.8-44.4. Since then, Bentivolio has mostly kept his head down and voted a conservative line. He is being challenged in the primary by foreclosure lawyer David Trott, who has the support of the Oakland County establishment. Bentivolio has run a weak campaign and seems likely to lose.
(D) (Lean McKenzie) Democrats Bobby McKenzie, Nancy Skinner, Anil Kumar, and LaRouchie Bill Roberts are running.
MI-12 (D) (Safe Dingell) Democrat John Dingell, in Congress for over 58 years since Eisenhower’s first term, is finally retiring. Dingell’s wife Debbie Dingell is running to succeed him. Attorney Ray Mullins is also running.
MI-13 (D) (Lean Conyers) This district has been represented by democrat John Conyers since 1964. Conyers’ image has been tarnished since his wife Monica, formerly Detroit city council president, pled guilty to bribery and served time in federal prison. Conyers won the 2012 primary 55% to 18% for Glenn Anderson, 13% for Shanelle Jackson, and 10% for Bert Johnson. Conyers was nearly disqualified due to having signature gatherers who were not registered to vote, but a judge ordered him back on the ballot. He is being challenged this year by Pastor Horace Sheffield, who has his own ethical problems.
MI-14 (D) (Lean Clarke) This district had an interesting primary in 2012. Congressman Gary Peters, first elected in 2008, ran here after his old 9th district was split into four pieces. Peters did very well in endorsements and fundraising, and he won this majority black district 47-35-13 over fellow Congressman Hansen Clarke and Southfield mayor Brenda Lawrence. Peters is now running for Senate, so the district is open. Lawrence, state rep. Rudy Hobbs, Clarke, and Burgess Foster are running. Hobbs has led in fundraising and endorsements but struggled to turn this into votes. Clarke has a base of support in Detroit.
(3)Nuh Uh.(0)Suggestions for Michigan's contested State Senate seats in the Republican Primary
Several contested Republican races around the state are worth noting.
In this edition, the State Senate contests are looked at. We should note that several candidates are lousy at getting their message out, have inadequate websites, and may have not social media skills. If we had to look too hard to find info on them, it was not helpful.
RightMi.com gives a hearty recommendation for Patrick Colbeck
This is the guy who has faced down Obamacare, Common Core, higher gas taxes, and general laziness and stupidity in the State Senate for the last four years. Do we agree always? Not so much, however Colbeck is hardly a stick-in-the-mud, and has carefully reviewed alternatives when challenged.
Easy choice for Pat Colbeck
RightMi.com Has no recommendation.
RightMi.Com Recommends a change from Marleau, who barely hit the 31% on the RightMi.com legislative scorecard.
The former Teamster, UAW, and NEA member cannot be any worse.
RightMi.com Has no recommendation.
(13)Nuh Uh.(2)Cross-posted at The Western Right, Right Michigan, and Red Racing Horses.
All 110 seats in the Michigan House of Representatives will be up for election in November. Republicans currently hold a 59-51 majority, following a 63-47 majority after 2010. There are 40 open seats, 21 held by Republicans and 19 held by democrats. There are 30 open due to term-limits and 10 just seeking another office.
Republicans gained one new seat (73) and one existing seat (39) due to redistricting, but also lost one existing seat (55) in 2012. They also lost five incumbents (52, 71, 84, 91, 110), not counting party-switcher Roy Schmidt (76). They could have won several more seats with a more effective redistricting plan.
Democrats want to take back the state house, but face a difficult playing field. Of the Republican-held open seats, only 56 and possibly 65 are competitive. They will try to defeat some Republican incumbents, but it is not clear how they will beat incumbents this year that they couldn’t defeat in 2012.
Meanwhile, Republicans will seek to gain seats. The best opportunity is the open 84, which was lost due to scandal in 2012. There are two lean dem open seats (21, 62) that may be competitive. Republicans will also try to defeat several incumbents who picked up seats in 2012 (25, 71, 91).
There are a number of interesting primaries in August. A bunch of Republican incumbents are being challenged due to their support of Medicaid expansion, Common Core, and the Detroit Bailout. Most will win easily, but there is the potential for a few to be surprised (39, 79, 107). The open seats feature more competitive primaries, many of which also feature establishment versus Tea Party battles. Establishment candidates are receiving support from the Chamber of Commerce and Great Lakes Education Project. More conservative candidates are receiving support from Americans for Prosperity and Madison Project Michigan.
State house fundraising is analyzed in the following article.
Michigan State House Fundraising
(7)Nuh Uh.(0)
