Suggestions for Michigan's contested State Representative seats in the Republican Primary
This should have been done a week ago.
Its a little more or less incomplete, but based on FB, websites, personal knowledge and other factors we have compiled a list of those whom we feel will represent their respective districts (AND MICHIGAN) well for the next legislative session. We recognize that many of the candidates will feel they too represent a more conservative set of values than the recommendation, and we ask that they assist in holding their opponents words to deeds going forward.
11TH DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE IN STATE LEGISLATURE – David Lawrence Malhalab vs. Jim Rhoades
RightMi.com has no recommendation.
19TH DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE IN STATE LEGISLATURE – Laura Cox vs. Ken Crider
RightMi.com recommendation is Ken Crider.
22ND DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE IN STATE LEGISLATURE – Art Blundell vs. Jeff Bonnell
RightMi.com has no recommendation.
24TH DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE IN STATE LEGISLATURE – Anthony Forlini vs. Arzo Smith
RightMi.com recommendation is for the guy who DIDN’T vote for the Welfare Medicaid expansion with HB4714, Arzo Smith
27TH DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE IN STATE LEGISLATURE – Mark Manier vs. Michael Ryan
RightMi.com has no recommendation.
28TH DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE IN STATE LEGISLATURE – Gordon Dye vs. Beth Foster
RightMi.com has no recommendation.
29TH DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE IN STATE LEGISLATURE – Christina Barr vs. David Lonier
RightMi.com has no recommendation.
36TH DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE IN STATE LEGISLATURE – Stan Grot vs. Peter Lucido
RightMi.com has no recommendation, but Stan Grot looks like he would keep it all interesting.
37TH DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE IN STATE LEGISLATURE – Julie Grippo vs. Richard Lerner
RightMi.com has no recommendation.
38TH DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE IN STATE LEGISLATURE – Kathy Crawford vs. Dan Lauffer
RightMi.com recommendation is for Dan Lauffer who is running in opposition to Medicaid expansion and Obamacare in Michigan.
39TH DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE IN STATE LEGISLATURE – Klint Kesto vs. Deb O’Hagen vs. Alan Stephens
RightMi.com recommendation is for Deb O’Hagen in the 39th
42ND DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE IN STATE LEGISLATURE – Nick Fiani vs. Rich Perlberg vs. Dale Rogers vs. Lana Theis
RightMi.com recommendation is for Lana Theis in the 39th
Anything could happen here, but the best possible outcome is a vote for Lana Theis. Lana has significant support from a number of conservative groups and even those that are not-so-much. The sad fact that Perlberg is running as a Republican means that the GOP voters in the 42nd district had better solidify around Thies, who would is favored, but will also make a fine Representative.
Go with Lana.
43RD DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE IN STATE LEGISLATURE – Jose Aliaga vs. Paul Greenwalt vs. Nate Knapper vs. Andrea Schroeder vs. Jim Tedder
RightMi.com recommendation is for Jose Aliaga.
We’ll go with the Madison Project on this one to make sure conservatives rally around one good candidate.
44TH DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE IN STATE LEGISLATURE – Liz Fessler Smith vs. Dennis Garlick vs. Jim Runestad vs. Russ Tierney
RightMi.com recommendation is for Jim Runestad
45TH DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE IN STATE LEGISLATURE – Mark Avery vs. Lana Mangiapane vs. Michael Webber
RightMi.com recommendation is for either Lana Mangiapane OR Mark Avery. Both have been strong advocates for taxpayers, with Mark actually turning it into a for-profit enterprise. Well played for both.
46TH DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE IN STATE LEGISLATURE – Brad Jacobsen vs. John Reilly
RightMi.com recommendation is for John Reilly
Reilly is a rock solid constitutional conservative Republican. Jacobsen voted FOR medicaid (obamacare) expansion in Michigan
47TH DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE IN STATE LEGISLATURE – Phil Campbell vs. Wendy Day vs Harold Melton vs. Theodore Ring vs Henry Vaupel
RightMi.com recommendation is for Wendy Day
Sorry Phil, Harold Theo and Henry, but Wendy has been a fighter, and fought Medicaid expansion at the grass roots level. There is no reason to look elsewhere.
Vote Wendy.
51ST DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE IN STATE LEGISLATURE – Sheila Barr vs. Joe Graves
RightMi.com recommendation is for Joe Graves.
Graves is not on the top of our scorecard to be sure, but he voted against the medicaid expansion, and Barr is crazy BIG government.
We say vote Graves and hold his feet to the fire.
54TH DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE IN STATE LEGISLATURE – Ed Moore vs. John Nazars
RightMi.com has no recommendation.
56TH DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE IN STATE LEGISLATURE – Irma Kubiske vs. Jason Sheppard
RightMi.com has no recommendation.
58TH DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE IN STATE LEGISLATURE – Brad Benzing vs. Stephen Besson vs. Tim Hart Haberl vs. Jeff Jacques vs. Eric Leuthauser vs. Hal Nottingham vs. Rochelle Ray
RightMi.com has no recommendation, though some might consider a hillsdale education important. Truthfully there is more than one solid candidate here.
59TH DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE IN STATE LEGISLATURE – John Bippus vs. Aaron Miller vs. Roger Rathburn vs. Bob Sills
RightMi.com recommendation is either John Bippus or Bob Sills (going by Sills website) Of course we hope the vote happens soon for Bob. Timeliness is very important here.
61ST DISTICT REPRESENTATIVE IN STATE LEGISLATURE – Brandt Iden vs. Phil Stinchcomb
RightMi.com recommendation is for Phil Stinchcomb.
The Detroit Chamber endorsement of Iden is enough of a warning for us.
62ND DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE IN STATE LEGISLATURE – John Bizon vs. Art Kale
RightMi.com has no recommendation
63RD DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE IN STATE LEGISLATURE – Vic Potter vs. David Maturen
RightMi.com has no recommendation
65TH DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE IN STATE LEGISLATURE – John Calhoun vs. Dan Fulara vs. Dale Moretz vs. Brett Roberts vs. Jim Stormont vs. Robert James Sutherby
RightMi.com has no recommendation other than for candidates to shorten their names.
Oh yeah.. HAVE A WEBSITE THAT IS EASY TO FIND.
69TH DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE IN STATE LEGISLATURE – Frank Lambert vs. George Nastas III
RightMi.com has no recommendation
72ND DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE IN STATE LEGISLATURE – Gabe Hudson vs. Ken Yonker
RightMi.com recommendation is get rid of the guy who voted to expand WELFARE
Our vote would be for Gabe in the 72nd
73RD DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE IN STATE LEGISLATURE – Chris Afendoulis vs. John Decker vs. Brian Downs vs. Brady Middleton vs. Tom Norton vs. Frank Pfaff vs. Robert Regan
RightMi.com likes Brady Middleton, Thomas Norton, and Frank Pfaff.
This district is lucky to have such talent available to them. We wish we could see all three win.
76TH DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE IN STATE LEGISLATURE – Keith Allard vs. Donijo DeJonge vs. Stan Milanokski
RightMi.com recommendation is for Keith Allard.
Sorry Stan, a three way and a really strange ummm.. as the other candidate? No thanks.
78TH DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE IN STATE LEGISLATURE – Dave Pagel vs. Jim Walker
RightMi.com recommendation is to rid yourselves of the Medicaid expanding Pagel
Go with Jim Walker for a term to kick the tires of the 78th
79TH DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE IN STATE LEGISLATURE – Cindy Duran vs Al Pscholka
RightMi.com recommendation again is for a real constitutional conservative to replace a pitiful welfare expanding Pscholka
Ciny Duran can win this and we hope she does. The 79th district can be part of the solution.
80TH DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE IN STATE LEGISLATURE – Randy Brink vs. Cindy Gamrat vs. Stephen Schulz vs. Mary Whiteford
RightMi.com recommendation is Cindy Gamrat.
Bottom line is if any of these others even had a sense of REAL conservatism, then they would be on HER team. Cindy is a powerhouse and an organizer that should easily win this contest. Ideas and principles matter.
Vote Cindy Gamrat.
82ND DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE IN STATE LEGISLATURE – Todd Courser vs Jacob Hunsager vs. Jan Peabody vs. Sharna Smith
RightMi.com recommendation is of Courser.
Seriously, folks. The Todd Courser nearly took out the heavily financed Bobby Shostak for chair of the GOP. Go big or go home as they say. A win for Todd would freak out the neo establishment which has been trying to shut out anyone with traditional values and solid principled foundations.
Good Luck Todd.
84TH DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE IN STATE LEGISLATURE – Curtis Boehmer vs. Edward Canfield vs. Kurt Damrow vs. Dan Grimshaw vs. Marlene Jobe vs. Tom Wassa vs. James Wencel
RightMi.com recommendation is Tom Wassa
85TH DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE IN STATE LEGISLATURE – Ben Glardon vs. George Sode
RightMi.com recommendation is George Sode
Glardon has a lower RightMi.com ranking than more than a dozen Democrats. That is pretty sad. Add to this, the vote to grow Obamacare in Michigan? Buh-Bye Ben
Vote George Sode
86TH DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE IN STATE LEGISLATURE – Lisa Lyons vs. Angela Rigas
RightMi.com recommendation is hands down for Angela Rigas. Lisa Lyons can take her Medicaid expanding career and hit the private sector please.
No Lyons, YES Angela Rigas.
89TH DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE IN STATE LEGISLATURE – Amanda Price vs. Matthew Wiedenhoeft
RightMi.com recommendation is for Matthew Weidenhoeft.
The PRICE of Medicaid expansion is too high. Her vote secured long term pain for the taxpayers of Michigan, by adding 400,000 more to social welfare medicine.
Good luck Matthew, if the 89th is on the ball, you are the one to win this.
90TH DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE IN STATE LEGISLATURE – Daniela Garcia vs. Bob Harmsen vs. Geoff Havemen vs. Jim Holtrop vs. David Kroll
RightMi.com recommendation is David Kroll.
David has respect for the other constitutionalists in the race and has worked hard for an underfunded effort. We like Geoff and Bob as well but the weight of the panel sez go Dave.
A good vote would be a vote for Kroll.
91ST DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE IN STATE LEGISLATURE – Kevin Erb vs. Holly Hughes vs. Max Riekse
RightMi.com recommendation is throw a dart, flip a coin, or maybe vote for Erb. Sorry no call on this one.
98TH 
DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE IN STATE LEGISLATURE – Gary Glenn vs Karl Ieuter.
RightMi.com recommendation is solidly for Gary Glenn.
This is an opportunity folks. The guy spearheads Right to Work in another state, names his kids after Ronald Reagan, and Charlton Heston, Plants the seed of RTW in Michigan and helps us plan its campaign, etc.. How could ANYONE not appreciate this man’s accomplishments for a better Michigan??
Vote Glenn. Easy Choice.
102ND DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE IN STATE LEGISLATURE – Phil Potvin vs. James Higgs
RightMi.com recommendation is Phil Potvin
Others on the panel disagree with this one, but Phil Potvin hung in there with the Medicaid Expansion vote by rejecting it. I say we reward GOOD behavior.
We hope the 102nd hold his feet to the fire on MEDC and cronyism otherwise however. Go for Potvin.
103RD DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE IN STATE LEGISLATURE – Bruce Rendon vs. Dave Ryan
RightMi.com recommendation is Bruce Rendon. Bruce also voted AGAINST Medicaid expansion which was a defining act in the last legislative session. Also, greatly outspent in the last cycle he was the one who beat the guy that is now the chair of the Dems. David Ryan is a great conservative, and should be respected for his effort. Perhaps next time, his campaign will be ready for a freshly opened seat.
But we don’t want to punish good behavior. Go with Bruce Rendon and keep Dave on speed dial to push his buttons.
104TH DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE IN STATE LEGISLATURE – Jamie Callahan vs Rob Hentschel vs. Ken Hinton vs. Larry Inman vs. Matt Lundy vs. Karen Renny vs. Beau Vore vs. Isaiah Wunsch.
RightMi.com recommendation is to hold your breath.
This was a great race with some great candidates up here. We will refrain from a recommendation this time.
105TH DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE IN STATE LEGISLATURE – Triston Cole vs. Tony Cutler vs. Michael Vickory.
RightMi.com recommendation is Triston Cole.
Michael Vickory is an outstanding guy, Tony Cutler has campaigned hard, but Triston is one of the hardest workers I have known, and has been a friend to constitutionalists in the region for several years.
We hate to have to choose, but just to rally behind, we call it for Triston.
107TH DISTRICT REPRESENTATIVE IN STATE LEGISLATURE – Lee Chatfield vs. Frank Foster
Get that mushy progressive freak Frank Foster OUT of government. Not only is he available to the highest bidder, his team is soliciting Democrat votes in the GOP primary, and has LIED about Lee Chatfield’s voting record. Disgusting. Foster’s M/O is comfort, paid for by lobbyists. The worst of the worst sell outs, Foster has other unexplainable transactions that might relate to his willingness to change the Elliot Larsen Civil rights act to add behavioral identity as a ‘protected class’.
We say its time to change those diapers. Support Lee Chatfield and bring your friends to support him too.
(11)Nuh Uh.
(1)
I've known Brad Benzing for years. You won't find better on the 2nd Amendment. I'm not familiar with Avery (outside AFP) or Webber, but Lana Mangiapane is very conservative and one of the nicest people you'd meet.
I mostly agree with your recommendations. A few thoughts.
36. Grot seems like the better choice, considering Lucido's UAW endorsement.
56. Jason Sheppard is a good conservative.
63. Vic Potter, while imperfect, is far better than the moderate, pro-abortion Maturen.
65. Robert Sutherby is a decent conservative.
90. Kroll is a good conservative, but he filed a reporting waiver, indicating he has not raised enough to be viable. Haveman has AFP support.
104. You know the candidates far better than I do, but Karen Renny seems like the best choice, as she is both conservative and has raised enough to run a credible campaign.
Jason Sheppard is a good conservative? You need to have you're head examined!
RM and CF Thanks for the thoughts on those other races.
The big bogey man this year is the Medicaid expansion. If an incumbent voted for it in the end, they have to go. As for Kroll, tis true, and Geoff is right there as well. As for the 104th, I am personally too close to most of the candidates to call out in this race.
We will cheer on a decent winner.
Kroll is a good guy. But he is poor at messaging. Geoff Haveman is the top conservative in the race - attacked unfairly by RINOs Joe Haveman and Arlan Meekhof.
Your endorsement, of course, and I agree with you most of the time. But job 1 is stopping Daniela Garcia, who is awful. Geoff is the best way to do that imho.
The above comment is regarding the 90th District