Tag: Todd Courser

Given the manner in which loyalty is blind, there is an expectation that advantage will always go to an incumbent.  This is NOT a commentary on the people who voted for Schostak, but rather an observation of elections where the incumbent ought not be challenged.  In other words, 48% voting against, is likely not the percentage who feel the party has been run poorly.  The old adage "the devil you know" comes to mind; the outcome being one that has a few extra points built in.

Safe to say that 48% or more want to see things change in the party.

As the incumbent chair continues to serve, it is important he recognizes that those plans for a revitalized party that he borrowed from his opponent in the last two weeks ought to be more than mere lip service.

Maintaining conservative principles, targeting on core family values, and finding conservative commonalities with groups currently held by the Democrat plantations might be a good start.

Congratulations.

One of the hardest working activists in Michigan, Gamrat has worked to educate voters, run phone conferences, built coalitions of conservatives, hosted high profile debates, and has kept grassroots interested in the process throughout the good and bad news over the last election cycle. The best thing that could happen for Michigan Republicans is to have her on the executive team.

Gamrat opines in a release:

There is a battle raging in our nation between progressive ideologies and our conservative founding principles. I believe that Todd Courser, candidate for Michigan Republican Party (MRP) Chair, is the man who will meet this battle head on, and I am honored to be his running mate as Co-Chair. Todd is dedicated to leading the MRP with a passionate team, a strategic plan, and a compelling conservative vision. Utilizing my background in sales and marketing, I will work together with Todd to develop our new strategic vision for that will strengthen the party's base and expand its reach.

...

In order to be effective, the MRP needs to be a statewide collaborative effort, representing those in the party from all around the state. I have lived in nearly every region of Michigan; growing up in Macomb County, spending four years in Ann Arbor earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree at the University of Michigan, living up north in Cheboygan where my husband Joe and I began our family of three children, to currently settling on the west side of the state in Plainwell, a small town between Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids. I know this state well, it is precious to me and I am committed to doing everything I can to honor the various regions around the state.

I truly believe that Michigan can and must step forward to lead the way in restoring our founding conservative principles of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Through sharing this compelling vision, implementing a broad strategic plan, and growing a team of passionate grassroots, volunteers, and party faithful; Todd Courser and I will endeavor to help develop a foundation on which the Michigan Republican Party will be victorious in 2014 and years to come.

The result of Saturday's Michigan Republican convention was very conservative, and very consistent with tea party and traditional values that have been notably lacking in recent years.  Add to this a solid backing (almost purposefully noticeable) of candidate Kerry Bentivolio in the 11th district, and it should be clear that some folks are starting to pay attention to the grassroots.  And those grassroots are now becoming more fully vested in the party, and changing from within.

The slate?

Michigan Supreme Court Justice:
Stephen J Markman - Incumbent
Brian Zahra - partial term incumbent
Colleen O'Brien - new nomination

State Board of Education
Todd Courser - New
Melanie Kurdys - New

MSU Trustee
Melanie Foster - Incumbent
Jeff Sakwa - New

U of M Regent
Dr. Rob Steele - New
Dan Horning - New

Wayne State University Board of Governors
Michael J. Busuito
Satish B. Jasti

The Michigan Supreme Court pick was an interesting one for a number of reasons.  We have seen much of the criticism of either O'Brien or Markey on RightMichigan.com, and frankly it was undeserved.  Both candidates represented a conservative rule of law perspective and the nomination of Colleen O'Brien should not disappoint anyone.  I tried to refrain from affecting the discussion and was particularly neutral and trying to look at qualifications and overall perspective.

I carried that neutrality into the convention and had no reason to specifically support either candidate, and was not worried about the outcome other than a bit of a nasty back and forth with passed out literature left in the seats for attendees.  There were good people I knew supporting either candidate.  After listening to both candidates in caucus, re-looking at notes, talking to friends who supported either candidate, reviewing caseload, history, etc., my decision to support a single candidate started to develop.  I even spent 20-25 minutes speaking with justice Stephen Markman.

Saturday Morning found me leaning Jane Markey.