Jeb Bush Announces Michigan Team and Endorsements
Jeb Bush announced a
list of Michigan endorsements on Wednesday, including many of the leadership
positions for his campaign in the state. Attorney General Bill Schuette, who
ran George H.W. Bush’s campaign in Florida during his first presidential bid,
was announced as the Michigan campaign chair. The finance co-chairs for the
Michigan branch of Jeb’s campaign are C. Michael Kojaian and David Fischer.
U.S. Representative David Trott and numerous current and former state elected
officials also joined the list of endorsements.
Special Committee on Courser, Gamrat Created by House
The House of
Representatives passed House
Resolution 129 Wednesday, which will create a special select committee to
investigate Representatives Courser (R-Silverwood) and Gamrat (R-Plainwell) and
their ability to continue serving in the House. House Speaker Kevin Cotter
(R-Mount Pleasant) said that following the release of the House Business
Office’s report on the situation any recommendations for punishment would come
through the committee.
Representatives Gamrat and Courser Receive Challengers
Following the
discovery of Representative Cindy Gamrat’s (R-Plainwell) affair with fellow
Representative Todd Courser (R-Silverwood), she has received many calls to
resign and one official challenger should she seek reelection. Mary Whiteford,
who was defeated in a primary by Ms. Gamrat in 2014, announced her decision to
run to replace Gamrat in the 80th House District. In the 82nd
House District Representative Courser will have two opponents should he seek
reelection in 2016. Both Gary Howell, president of the Lapeer Intermediate
School District Board of Education, and Jake Davison have stated they will run
for the seat.
75th House District Receiving Challengers
Following the
resignation of former Representative Brandon Dillon to become Democratic Party
Chair, the 75th District has seen three candidates announce their
intentions to replace him in a special election. David LaGrand and Michael
Scruggs, an activist from Grand Rapids, have both filed for the Democratic
nomination, while Blake Edmonds, a former youth vice chair of the Michigan
Republican Party has filed as the lone Republican thus far. Mr. LaGrand has
already received the endorsement of Grand Rapids Mayor-elect Rosalynn Bliss.
23rd House District to be Hotly Contested by
Democrats
Democrats have
already begun eyeing the 23rd House District where Representative
Patrick Somerville (R-New Boston) is term limited. While the seat has a 54
percent Democratic base, Mr. Somerville has had one of the strongest voter
contact programs, allowing him to win reelection. Three Democrats have already
thrown their hat in the ring to replace Mr. Somerville, the most notable being
Brownstown Township Clerk Sherry Berecz. Darin Camilleri, teacher and
Democratic activist, and Steven Rzeppa, Trenton City Councilmember, are the
other two candidates to have declared.