Free Republic

<p>WASHINGTON — Tuesday is primary day in the states of Kansas, Michigan and Missouri as the political winnowing process continues and several races are key for seat counters.</p> <p>The Michigan Democratic primary race for the gubernatorial nomination pits Rep. David Bonior, who lost his seat to redistricting, against former Michigan governor James J. Blanchard and the state's Attorney General Jennifer Granholm.</p>

Democrats hold first televised debate in Marquette By KATHY BARKS HOFFMAN The Associated Press 7/18/02 3:51 PM MARQUETTE, Mich. (AP) -- The three Democratic candidates for governor held a heated debate Thursday in their first televised meeting. The hour-long verbal matchup at Northern Michigan University was one of two for the Democratic candidates before the Aug. 6 primary. All three aggressively challenged their opponents, shaking fingers at each other at times and raising their voices on more than one occasion. Former Gov. James Blanchard and U.S. Rep. David Bonior both accused Attorney General Jennifer Granholm of working too closely with...

Butch Hollowell enorses. No More Punch Card Ballots! • Statewide High Tech Optic Scan Voting System (1/3 of Michigan Precincts still use inferior equipment) Clear and Correct Instructions to Voters at the Polls • Continuing Training for Election Workers Teaching High School Students How to Register & Cast a Ballot • Make Voter Education Part of Civics Class Restoring Right to Vote a Straight Party Ticket • Give Michigan Voters Back the Choice we have had since 1891 Enacting Campaign Finance Reform • Full Disclosure & Strict Limits on Contributions Extending Branch Office Hours for More Convenience • Place Electronic...

John Austin - Biography John Austin, 40, was elected to the Michigan State Board of Education in 2000, as the Party's top vote getter after Al Gore and Debbie Stabenow, attracting more votes than anyone in the history of state or university board elections. John's election put the State Board under Democratic control, where he has led the charge to reassert State Board leadership in public education that was eroded under Governor John Engler. John campaigned for the Secretary of State nomination in 1998 and won the endorsements of a majority of Michigan's Democratic Congressional delegation, state and local party...

The second Republican primary debate will be Saturday, July 13, at 6:30pm at the Oakland Center in the Gold Room on the campus of Oakland University. Tickets are limited and we are encouraging anyone that would like tickets to the event to call ahead so we can determine availability and arrange a pick-up location. Prior to the Debate we will be hosting a rally outside the Oakland Center. Beginning at 5:30, the rally will last until the beginning of the debate. The Lt. Governor will speak and lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance when he arrives. This is a...

Lt. Governor Dick Posthumus needs your help during the July 4th weekend, we are going to have supporters all over the state walking in parades on behalf of Dick Posthumus and we would love for you and your family to join us! Please find enclosed a list of the parades that Dick Posthumus is going to have a presence in, please come to as many as you can! We do need all volunteers to show up a half hour before the parade starts; t-shirts will be provided for all volunteers. If you have any questions please feel free to give...

The debates: Granholm agreed to five; she should stick to that Nary an election season passes without the customary public squabble over candidate debates. And so this year, we find Attorney General Jennifer Granholm and former Gov. James Blanchard tussling over the number of debates they will agree to in advance of the Aug. 6 Democratic gubernatorial primary. In this debate over the debate, Blanchard has the upper hand. Several weeks ago, Blanchard issued a challenge to hold five debates. Granholm quickly agreed. Now, she says that two debates are enough. Blanchard's camp correctly notes that the attorney general appears...

Democratic gubernatorial camps at odds over debates By KATHY BARKS HOFFMAN The Associated Press 6/25/02 6:44 PM LANSING, Mich. (AP) -- Democratic candidates James Blanchard and David Bonior have agreed to appear together in at least four debates, but candidate Jennifer Granholm now says she wants to debate only twice before the Aug. 6 primary. Blanchard's debate negotiator, Bob Kolt, says Granholm is breaking the pledge she made when she accepted Blanchard's call to do five debates. In a June 4 news release, Granholm said, "I agree to five debates. ... I look forward to meeting you on the debate...

You are invited to the Mike Cox for Attorney General Campaign Headquarters Grand Opening Thursday, June 27th 6:30 to 8:30 29427 Six Mile Road Livonia (on the corner of Six Mile and Middlebelt Roads) “President Bush has made us all very proud. It is an honor to have worked on his campaign and I truly enjoyed working with you at the Bush Victory Centers in Western Wayne and Oakland Counties. I look forward to seeing everyone again.” -Mike Cox Food and Beverages will be provided. See you there!

Gubernatorial candidates plan to vote Monday; some have missed earlier votes By KATHY BARKS HOFFMAN The Associated Press 6/9/02 11:01 AM LANSING, Mich. (AP) -- School elections usually don't draw too many voters, but all of the candidates running for governor plan to be at the polls or vote absentee on Monday. That hasn't always been the case for Attorney General Jennifer Granholm, former Gov. James Blanchard and U.S. Rep. David Bonior, the three Democrats in the race. While the voting records of Republican candidates Dick Posthumus and John Schwarz show neither has missed a school, primary, presidential primary or...

Here are the two ballot proposals certified Friday by the Board of State Canvassers for the Aug. 6 primary election: Proposal 02-1: A PROPOSAL TO AMEND THE PROVISION OF THE STATE CONSTITUTION GOVERNING THE OPERATION OF THE STATE OFFICERS COMPENSATION COMMISSION (SOCC). The proposed constitutional amendment would: --Add Attorney General and Secretary of State to the list of state officials whose salaries and expense allowances are determined by the SOCC. The list currently includes the State Legislature, Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Supreme Court Justices. --Require the legislature to approve by majority vote any salary and expense allowance determinations proposed by...

State Right to Life group endorses county school board candidatePublished on Thu, Jun 6, 2002 Political endorsements by Michigan Right To Life have spread into Livingston County's local elections for school boards and city councils, but several local candidates say they don't see why the state's main pro-life organization should be involved in races that don't directly deal with the abortion issue. "It would seem to me they have enough issues that they wouldn't need to be involved in school board races," Howell School Board candidate Barton Hellmuth said. Right to Life has endorsed two candidates for Hartland School Board...

Court dismisses Democratic lawsuiCourt dismisses Democratic lawsuit against redistricting By NEDRA PICKLER The Associated Press 6/6/02 2:41 PM WASHINGTON (AP) -- A federal court dismissed a lawsuit brought by Democrats who said Michigan's new congressional districts unfairly benefit Republican candidates. A three-judge panel in Detroit ruled Wednesday that any disputes with the congressional map can be addressed through the political process. The Legislature will change the map after the 2010 Census, as it does every 10 years, the court noted. The Democrats had argued the map is unfair to the Democratic voters of Michigan. They said most Michigan voters supported...

<p>MACKINAC ISLAND -- Attorney General Jennifer Granholm arrived with an economic plan, favorable polls and a history of impressing the influential gathered for the Detroit Regional Chamber annual Mackinac conference.</p> <p>As a Democratic candidate for governor, though, she also came with a target on her back.</p>

7 Ingham board seats unopposed Democrats likely to retain control of commission By Hugh Leach Lansing State Journal Republicans, who haven't controlled the Ingham County Board of Commissioners since 1972, aren't contesting seven seats in the Nov. 5 election. That gives Democrats a better chance of retaining control of the board, which will expand from 13 to 16 seats because of redistricting. The Democrats hope to push through pet issues such as a living wage requirement for companies working for the county. Historically, Republicans have fielded candidates in most, if not all, districts. "It took me by surprise," said County...

Court dismisses most Democratic redistricting complaints By NEDRA PICKLER The Associated Press 5/24/02 7:03 PM LANSING, Mich. (AP) -- A federal court on Friday threw out most of a challenge to Michigan's new congressional map, but it gave Democrats a month to strengthen their argument that the plan unfairly benefits Republican candidates. The court acknowledged the plan would favor Republican candidates in most Michigan congressional districts, even though most of the state's voters selected Democrats in the 2000 elections. "Despite the increasing majority of Democratic voters in Michigan, Republicans are likely to win ten of Michigan's fifteen congressional seats under...

Lt. Governor Dick Posthumus is kicking-off a statewide bus tour this week and will be visiting every corner of Michigan. We would like to invite you to be part of the excitement. His tour will be coming through your area on Tuesday, May 21 at 11:00 am. We hope you can join the Lt. Governor on the beautiful campus of Michigan State University at the Sparty Statue located on the corner of Red Cedar Road and West Circle Drive in East Lansing. We hope you can join us and show your support for the Republican Party and Lt. Governor Dick...

Lt. Governor Dick Posthumus is kicking-off a statewide bus tour this week and will be visiting every corner of Michigan. We would like to invite you to be part of the excitement. His tour will be coming through your area on Tuesday, May 21 at 6:30 p.m. where he will take part in the the 2002 Gubernatorial Forum on Conservation Issues. The forum will be held at Brighton Center for Performing Arts located 7878 Brighton Road in Brighton just east of Grand River. All of Michigan's Leading Gubernatorial Candidates, will be attending, so is important that our local Republicans attend...

Michigan Elections – 2002 Unofficial – Who is running. The filing deadline was last Tuesday for state races. Federal races have been backed up depending on redistricting. Some areas have city mailing addresses, but live outside the city in a neighboring township. As for the Attorney General and Sec of State races – the state convention delegates will pick the candidate. We don't know who they will be yet. It'll PROBABLY be Mike Cox for AG on the GOP side, and either Terri Land or Lorne Bennett for GOP candidate for Sec of State. LAST DAY TO REGISTER for PRIMARY...

Candidates flock to file petitions, meet primary filing deadline By KATHY BARKS HOFFMAN The Associated Press 5/14/02 6:13 PM LANSING, Mich. (AP) -- The large number of open seats from the governorship on down made the Secretary of State's office a busy place Tuesday as candidates filed to get on the Aug. 6 primary ballot. Term limits, which for the first time affected the state Senate and offices of governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state and attorney general, gave many candidates the chance to run for office or trade their existing elected positions for new ones. Term limits also kept...