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Michigan Pastor Expected to Enter GOP Race for U.S. Senate
MLive Newsflash ^ | April 11, 2005 | Associated Press

Posted on 04/11/2005 8:42:30 PM PDT by Captain America

LANSING, Mich. (AP) -- The Rev. Keith Butler is expected Tuesday to jump into the Republican race for the U.S. Senate seat now held by Democrat Debbie Stabenow, according to Dave Doyle of Lansing-based Marketing Resource Group, which is helping with Butler's campaign.

Butler is the founding pastor of the 21,000-member nondenominational Word of Faith International Christian Center Church in Southfield and a former Detroit City Council member. According to his Web site, his 1989 election made him the first known Republican elected to the council since before World War II.

Butler plans to unveil his candidacy during a two-day swing that begins Tuesday morning in Southfield and ends Wednesday afternoon in Marquette. He also will stop in Lansing and Grand Rapids on Tuesday and in Flint and Traverse City on Wednesday.

Tuesday's announcement will make Butler the second Republican to formally enter the 2006 race. Troy industrial engineer Bart Baron already has said he will seek the GOP nomination.

Another possible candidate is Jane Abraham, a former Michigan GOP political director who's married to former U.S. Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham. Stabenow narrowly defeated Spencer Abraham in his 2000 Senate re-election bid. The Abrahams currently live in McLean, Va.

Jane Abraham said Monday that she is getting closer to making a decision on whether to run. "I am pretty bullish on it," she added.

Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land of Byron Center has been approached about running but has not decided yet if she will run for re-election in 2006 or enter the Senate race, spokeswoman Kelly Chesney said Monday.

Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard was briefly in the GOP race, but withdrew for health reasons. U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers of Brighton said last week that he has ruled out getting into the race. Detroit real estate developer Peter Cummings also decided against a run.

Butler graduated from the University of Michigan-Dearborn, Rhema Bible Training Institute and Canada Christian College. He is married to Deborah L. Butler, and the couple has three adult children.

------ On the Net:

Keith Butler: http://www.keithabutler.com/

Debbie Stabenow: http://stabenow.senate.gov/


TOPICS: News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: Michigan
KEYWORDS: 2006; bartbaron; blackchurch; blackrepublican; butler; electionussenate; gopprimary; keithbutler; megachurch; michigan; pastor; senate; stabenow
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Verrrrrrrrrrrry interesting candidate here Freepers. If you are in Michigan and have some free time, it could be worth checking out.

Here's the details:

Rev. Keith Butler Senate Announcement Tour Tuesday, April 12

Southfield Venue: 10:00 a.m. VFW Hall - Post 2645 24222 W. Nine Mile Road Just west of Telegraph

Lansing Venue: 1:00 p.m. The Lansing Center Governor's Room 2nd Floor 333 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing

Grand Rapids Venue 4:00 p.m. Eberhard Center Room 215, 2nd Floor Grand Valley State University 401 Fulton St. W. Grand Rapids

1 posted on 04/11/2005 8:42:34 PM PDT by Captain America
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To: Captain America

Is he a "real Rev" or like Jesse and AL?


2 posted on 04/11/2005 8:50:28 PM PDT by ThisLittleLightofMine
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To: Captain America

3 posted on 04/11/2005 8:52:14 PM PDT by kingattax
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To: Captain America
I think he a ghost of a chance (more than Bart Baron, Nassar Beydoun, or either Abraham). I'm just concerned if white people would vote for him. Is he going to be Bob Young or Bill Lucas.

I haven't made a final decision yet, but if the primary was today, I would vote for him.

4 posted on 04/11/2005 8:54:35 PM PDT by Dan from Michigan ("If Stabenow were any bigger a roadblock, she could halt traffic on all of I-75.")
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To: ThisLittleLightofMine; Larry Lucido
Is he a "real Rev" or like Jesse and AL?

From all I've heard, he's real. I believe Larry goes to his church and could give you a better answer.

5 posted on 04/11/2005 8:56:47 PM PDT by Dan from Michigan ("If Stabenow were any bigger a roadblock, she could halt traffic on all of I-75.")
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To: ThisLittleLightofMine
He is real alright - started the church as a prayer meeting series in is Mom's Detroit home and went the grades from store front downtown Detroit to via larger and larger churches in the Detroit area until he aquired a very large property in Southfield, just North of the Detroit city line. His services were always flavored by a very propper mix of orderliness and free worship. A very impressive man - he will be able to do anything he sets his mind to. And on top of that he has proven electabillity in Detroit! Detroit makes up over 20% of the votes in Michigan and usually breaks +90% democrat, it's a near all black city of just under 1 million and they love Keith.
6 posted on 04/11/2005 9:01:32 PM PDT by okvalvaag (Abortion - it stops a beating heart!)
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To: Dan from Michigan
There sure seem to be a lot of people with interest in running for that seat. I hope that means Strabenow (sp?) seems to be someone who can be beaten.

Do you know how Buter stands on the Second Amendment?

7 posted on 04/11/2005 9:03:03 PM PDT by basil (Exercise your Second Amendment--buy another gun today!)
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To: ThisLittleLightofMine

He is for real. He is part of the ad hoc committee of groups, such as Focus on the Family and several other big evangelical groups, that is working for a national Marriage Amendment.


8 posted on 04/11/2005 9:05:31 PM PDT by DeweyCA
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To: basil
I haven't heard firsthand, but secondhand I've heard he's ok there.

He can't be worse than Stabenow, that's for sure. She voted to ban the .30-30.....all the while claiming she's "pro-hunting".

9 posted on 04/11/2005 9:10:50 PM PDT by Dan from Michigan ("If Stabenow were any bigger a roadblock, she could halt traffic on all of I-75.")
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To: Captain America

Thanks for the post and details.


10 posted on 04/11/2005 9:13:32 PM PDT by PGalt
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To: Captain America
Butler is the founding pastor of the 21,000-member nondenominational Word of Faith International Christian Center Church...

Well, as Billyboy once said, "He knows how to build a crowd."

More power to him. We can use a good Black pastor on our side, and send that ridiculous woman back to private life.

11 posted on 04/11/2005 9:17:55 PM PDT by hinckley buzzard
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To: PGalt

You bet. Here's the day 2 info as well:

Wednesday, April 13

Flint/Saginaw Venue: 10:00 a.m.
Holiday Inn - Jefferson Room
5353 Gateway Center
Flint

Traverse City Venue: 1:00p.m.
Garfield Township Hall
3848 Veteran's Hall
Traverse City

Marquette Venue: 4:00 p.m.
Waterfront Grille
2050 U.S. 41 S.
Marquette


12 posted on 04/11/2005 9:30:34 PM PDT by Captain America
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To: Captain America
I have a friend on the West side of the State involved with his church...he's the real deal from all I understand. I'm pretty excited to hear the news even though I know very little about him beyond his social views. But then, anybody with an R next to his name who can give Stabenow a serious run is enough for me at this point.
13 posted on 04/11/2005 10:02:49 PM PDT by Dolphy
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To: Captain America

If he's the real deal, I hope he does well. He can't be any worse than Debbie Stabinow.


14 posted on 04/11/2005 11:11:06 PM PDT by passionfruit
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To: passionfruit

Keith Butler can beat Debbie Stabenow, soundly.


15 posted on 04/12/2005 7:10:51 AM PDT by Captain America
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To: passionfruit

The schedule times have been slightly revised, according to the Butler website. Here they are:

Tuesday, April 12





Southfield

Time: 9:45 AM

Location: VFW- Pos Post 2645

24222 W. 9 Mile Rd.,

Southfield, Mi 48034 (just w. of Telegraph)


Lansing

Time: 12:45 PM

Location: Lansing Center, Governor's Room,

2nd floor

333 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing, Mi


Grand Rapids

Time: 3:45 PM

Location: Eberhard Center , Room 215 , 2nd Floor

Grand Valley State University

301 Fulton St. W., Grand Rapids, Mi




Wednesday, April 13




FLINT

Time: 9:45 AM

Location: Holiday Inn - Jefferson Room

5353 Gateway Centre, Flint, Mi


TRAVERSE CITY

Time: 12:45 PM

Location: Garfield Township Hall

3848 Veteran's Drive, Traverse City, Mi


MARQUETTE

Time: 3:45 PM

Location: Waterfront Grille

2050 U.S. 41 S., Marquette, Mi


16 posted on 04/12/2005 7:13:24 AM PDT by Captain America
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To: Captain America; ThisLittleLightofMine; Dan from Michigan; DeweyCA; okvalvaag

There was an overflow crowd for the announcement at the VFW in Southfield. Of course, that's where his church is, and many in attendance were church members. I got there late and had to stand in the lobby, so didn't get to hear much.


17 posted on 04/12/2005 9:50:05 AM PDT by Larry Lucido
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To: basil

Very good. He supports concealed carry, and is an avid shooter and big game hunter. He's made sure his entire family knows how to shoot, too.


18 posted on 04/12/2005 9:51:46 AM PDT by Larry Lucido
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To: Larry Lucido

Oh! He really sounds good, then. Thanks for the info!


19 posted on 04/12/2005 10:09:24 AM PDT by basil (Exercise your Second Amendment--buy another gun today!)
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To: fieldmarshaldj

PING


20 posted on 04/12/2005 10:58:51 AM PDT by AuH2ORepublican (Extremism in the defense of liberty is no vice, moderation in the pursuit of justice is no virtue.)
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