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Looks like Judy's race is the Hot New Race. This week the CFP seems to have pulled out of Valentine's 91st district since it's looking safer and safer and is instead helping out Truesdell on the air (I had a great conversation with Judy on Sunday and well have her candidate profile up today or tomorrow). You can join in by helping Judy and some of the other Rising Dozen at the WMR ActBlue page.
There are also new CFP ads up for Scripps and Rogers.
The Rising Dozen: Our Top Endorsed Candidates for 2008
We'll we'd meant to get this going back in Labor Day, but stuff always gets in the way at our little all-volunteer group blog. Still, we wanted to get it out and since TODAY is the final financial filing deadline for Michigan State House races, this seems like a last change opportunity.
So, we're now announcing nine of our Rising Dozen candidates for 2008. Each editor has picked three candidates in their coverage area.
But you -- our beloved readers -- also get to pick three candidates in the poll below to get us up to a dozen.
We're always going to write about our candidates as much as possible, but these, for a variety of reasons our the ones we really want to highlight. The reason? They're in important and tight races -- they are helping West Michigan Democrats Rise. There are some other great candidates out there who are close friends of WMR -- Roy Schmidt and Robert Dean (though you can vote for the Reverand in the poll since others may see this as a closer race than I do) -- come to mind, but they're in races that they are going to win, and we want to allocate our few resources to where they will have the greatest benefit.
We encourage you to support these Rising Dozen candidates with your volunteer efforts and by throwing them some cash to pay for those final mailers, radio ads, etc that help push close campaigns over to victory. Some of these candidates now have ActBlue pages so you can give to them via our Rising Dozen ActBlue Page. When you give to via ActBlue, the candidates get to use the money immediately. So, show these candidates who have worked so hard for so long that the readers of West Michigan Rising support them!
Our goal is $1000 in one week. We get about 2,500 readers a week and we have over 240 readers with accounts. We can do it, but only with your help. Yes We Can!
So, here they are The Rising Dozen for 2008 an order I put them in.
Coalition For Progress is airing this ad and similar ads for State House candidates in West Michigan in the 101st for Dan Scripps (above), 61st for Julie Rogers and the 91st for Mary Valentine. You can help keep them on the air by donating here.
This is the first of what I suspect will be a lot of independent ads and support in our House races.
We've developed a ranking system based on the past voting history of the
district, the financials of the campaigns, our (oftentimes limited) knowledge of
the campaign organization on the ground, and the Republican opposition.
We at WMR continue to believe that we're likely headed into a tidal wave
election at the national level -- given the upset wins in Strong Republican
districts in Illinois, Mississippi and Louisiana, the rallying around nominee
Barack Obama, the organizational strength of the Campaign for Change, the
economic crisis, and an anti-incumbent mood -- and believe it is reasonable, if
optimistic, to believe that we'll see that wave filter downticket to the State
House races here in West Michigan. Indeed, we believe that we can increase the
West Michigan Democratic delegation to the House in Lansing from the current
five representatives all the way to ten. That's a big goal, but that's where
we're at: 10 West Michigan Democrats in November 2008!
And we'll look at the races one last time in late October after we've
completed all our Candidate Profiles.
The Basic Rankings 1. Doug Bennett
2. Robert Jones
3. Roy Schmidt
4. Robert Dean
5. Mary Valentine
6. Dan Scripps
7. Julie Rogers
8. Judy Truesdell
9. Mike Huckleberry
10. Bruce Hawley
11. Phyllis Smith
12. Carol Higgins
13. Roman Grucz
14. Bill Richards
etc.
Senator Carl Levin with Bruce Hawley and his wife Jean in Sparta
Last weekend (yeah, 12 days ago ... hey, lay-off, I've been busy) the incredibly energetic Carl Levin made a swing out to West Michigan to support some great Democratic candidates for the Michigan State House of Representatives. Now, a few things were amazing about this trip.
First, how impressive is it that in the midst of his own reelection campaign, Senator Levin spent an entire Saturday supporting state-wide candidates. He didn't take a dime of the fundraising proceeds, just came out to support these Democrats working to improve our state from Lansing. Now that's just selfless and impressive -- Carl is thinking about all the ways he can work to improve Michigan and build a Democratic farm team. No one can ever say that Levin has forgotten Michigan or the Michigan Democratic Party.
Second, geez, Senator Levin must have gotten up around 6:30 am and probably made it home at about 10:00 pm and for most of that time he's got to be in full public mode which is exhausting.
Third, he pulled it off (kudos to the staff) and was on-time to everything.
The first stop was a 10:00 am house party for Julie Rogers (District 61) in Oshtemo (Kalamazoo County). WMR's Mark Miller was there and gave the following report:
[Levin] was able to speak at some length and answer questions.
One memorable story was about trying to break a recent Republican filibuster on Medicare funding. Sen. Levin asked a colleague (I was taking pictures, so I didn't concentrate on some of the details) if Sen. Kennedy would be there to vote to close debate. He was told no, but in fact Kennedy did arrive, to thunderous applause. The Senate Dems were keeping his appearance a secret so the Republicans would not be able to react to it with another maneuver. That is the sense of Sen. Levin gave of the Senate these days - not a place of much collegiality.
All in all, a very good event with friends old and new, including former Congressman Paul Todd, Rep. Robert Jones, County Commissioners Brian Johnson (who is also Julie's manager) and Leroy Crabtree, former Rep. Mary Brown, and others.
Levin, then drove up highway-131 to downtown Grand Rapids for a fundraiser for Robert Dean (District 75). I was able to attend that reception, though I had a bunch of things to do that morning and was late. I got to hear the tail end of Levin's remarks -- on the Iraq War.
The fundraiser was well attended and the campaign was reportedly able to raise some good funds for the upcoming battle with the winner of the Republican primary (my prediction: Tietema). Grand Rapids Mayor George Heartwell introduced the Senator. Also in attendance were City Commissioners Rosalyn Bliss (and yes she was "chipper" (and I think David LaGrand was there, but my memory is fading), Kent County Commissioners Carol Hennessy and Paul Mayhue, and Kent County Democratic Party Chair Sue Levy (there were others, I'm sure I'm leaving out, but there's no way I can find my notes on this mess of a desk). I spent most of the time chatting with Rosalyn about the Jail Millage issue and the Green Grand Rapids initiative. We're blessed with a lot of great progressives in Grand Rapids and Rosalyn is one who can have a very bright future. I saw that Levin was leaving and shaking Rev. Dean's hand so I tried to get in to take a picture. By the time I whipped out my camera Dean was gone and Levin assumed I wanted a picture with him and me in it. So, sure, I thought and his staffer took the photo (below). I mentioned we had met a month ago at the bloggers meeting at the Michigan Policy Summit, praised Carl for taking time out of his busy schedule to support these candidates, and mentioned that I couldn't hold a candle to his work that day since I was only doing two events. He asked what the other one was and I replied, "I'm marching in the Sparta parade with Bruce Hawley who is a friend running for the State House in the 73rd district in northern Kent County." Well, the Senator says, "Sparta! We were thinking about hitting that parade on the way to Muskegon." I urged him to march with Bruce and told him that Hawley was a candidate worthy of strong Party support. I gave him Bruce's phone number and then, after Levin left (about 1:00 pm), quickly called Bruce and his campaign manager to let them know that Levin might soon be calling. I talked with Jeff Winston, who is fast becoming a well-respected campaign staffer, and then drove up to Sparta (passing lots of Raymond and Stelma for Sheriff signs on the country roads).
I parked at Bruce's church, and then walked to the staging area where I found 75 other folks waiting to march for Bruce Hawley, but no Carl Levin. Oh well, I thought, I tried. But just as I turned around from a conversation with his wife Jean, up walks the Senator. Now, Levin and Hawley don't agree on a few things, but Bruce is just a real nice guy, and it never popped into his head not play the gracious host and march right next to Carl Levin. Bruce introduced Senator Levin to his friends and lots of photos were taken (like the one above). It looked like it would rain on our parade, but that wasn't going to stop anyone from getting Bruce's message out to the people of Sparta. I'll talk about the parade in a post I hope to write tomorrow, but here's a another photo:
I did get a chance to talk with and listen in on conversations with Carl Levin. Again and again (with Elizabeth Edwards, Jennifer Granholm, Bart Stupak, Fred Miller, etc), it's always nice to see that these famous and powerful people are just regular folks when you get down to it. Carl, I, and an old friend of Bruce spent the time walking out of the staging area toward the start discussing the chances the Tigers have to make the playoffs.
About half-way through the parade, Carl had to leave to make the next reception in Muskegon. He told me he was leaving, we shook hands again, I thanked him, and I knew that this was another indication that Bruce was getting the recognition he deserves. Thanks again Senator Levin!
Today is the day. July 20th is the deadline for the reporting period for our State House candidates. As the last report before the pre-primary filing, this stands as a very important goal marker. Many people will be looking at these reports to see where the individual campaigns are at in terms of support and where additional funds will go for the final stretch. This election we have a very unique opportunity to build our "farm team" of progressive Democratic legislators here in West Michigan, hopefully leading the way to a more blue west side. The State House candidates that we have been highlighting here represent what we see as our best chances to flip districts. They will probably be the headlines on the "Rising" list coming shortly. If you are going to donate, now is the time. Campaigns are expensive and I know that your donations will be used to get voters to the polls to help us build our left coast.
go below the flip for the candidates and links to donate...
Senator Carl Levin will be on a whirlwind tour of West Michigan in support of our great State House candidates TODAY, Saturday the 19th:
Julie Rogers Event with Levin 9:30-11:00 am.
6905 Northstar, Oshtemo
off 9th street, N of W Main.
(see report below - memiller)
Rev. Robert Dean Event with Levin (75th district, Grand Rapids)
11:30 am -- 1:30 pm at the Bite Bar and Restaurant at 151 Ottawa Ave, NW in downtown Grand Rapids. $100/guest.
Mary Valentine Event with Levin (91st District, Muskegon County)
3:00 -- 5:00 pm at the Kleaveland home, 1634 Sunset Drive, North Muskegon. $50/guest.
Mike Huckleberry Event with Levin (70th district, Montcalm and Ionia), Saturday, 19 July from 5:45 -- 8:00 pm at Huckleberry's Restaurant at 112 S. Lafayette, Greenville. $20/guest. Ribbon cutting on the Montcalm County Democratic Campaign Headquarters at 5:30 pm at 126 S. Lafayette. RSVP to Ed at 894-1606.
Head out, support your candidates and Senator Levin.
Julie reading to a class at Mattawan Elementary School
This diary is to introduce Julie to the West Michigan Rising audience. Most of it is an interview I conducted with her last week. I will be following this with more detailed policy statements from her, and news from the campaign trail as we go along.
The 61st covers Alamo, Oshtemo, Texas and Prairie Ronde Townships, then the western part of Kalamazoo Township, the City of Parchment, and the City of Portage.
It is a marginally Republican district, which has been trending more Democratic in recent elections.
Julie ran for this seat in 2006, as I discuss in the interview, and came close to unseating Jack Hoogendyk.
Julie will be making her formal announcement next Monday evening (April 14th) at 7pm in the Portage Public Library. We would love to see some of our West Michigan Rising friends there!
We all know this, even as we decry the influence money often has, in spite of waves of campaign finance reform. Money from special interests finds its way. it can't be stopped, any more than water can stop flowing downhill.
But I want to argue that money in politics has its positive side. It provides a way for ordinary citizens to become invested (literally) in a campaign. Candidates who can attract small contributions from lots of ordinary folks are more likely to be able to attract volunteers, and ultimately votes. If we had purely publicly-funded campaigns, in addition to the First Amendment issues that would raise, there would be no opportunity to show which candidates had tangible support early.
And anyhow, it's the system we have, so we need to make the best of it, even as we open the envelope of the 17th fundraising letter this week.
Last Sunday, I cooked dinner for 35 people at my house. (more)
District 20 Kalamazoo Robert Jones District 21 Berrien, Cass, Van Buren
Scott Elliott District 24 Allegan, Barry, Eaton
Michelle DiSano District 28 Kent (part)
Robin Golden District 29 Kent (part) David LaGrand District 30 Ottawa
John Chester District 34 Muskegon, Oceana, Mason, Newaygo Mary Valentine District 35 Northwest LP Roger Dunigan District 37 Grand Traverse & north Bob Carr
Michigan State House Candidates
District 59 (St. Joseph & Cass Counties)
Carol Higgins District 60 (Kalamazoo) Sean McCann District 61 (Kalamazoo) Thomas Batten District 63 (Kalamazoo)
David Morgan District 70 (Ionia & Montcalm Counties) Mike Huckleberry District 72 (Kentwood & Cascade)
Brian Bosak District 73 (Kent County)
Jerrod Roberts District 74 (Ottawa County)
Leon Chase District 75 (Grand Rapids) Brandon Dillon District 76 (Grand Rapids) Roy Schmidt District 77 (Wyoming)
Scott Baron District 78 (Berrien County) Cindy Ellis District 79 (Berrien County) Julee Laurent District 80 (VanBuren) Tom Erdmann District 86 (Kent County)
Frank Hammond District 87 (Barry & Ionia Counties)
Greg Grieves District 89 (Ottawa County)
Donald Bergman District 91 (Muskegon)
Ben Gillette District 92 (Muskegon)
Marcia Hovey-Wright District 100 (Newaygo, Lake, and Oceana Counties)
Donald Bergman District 101 (Northwest) Dan Scripps
County Commissions Candidates
Allegan County Commission
9 Fritz Spreitzer (I)
10 April Carvalho
Barry County Commission
1 Bob Dickinson
Benzie County Commission
3 Kristin Hollenbeck (I)
4 Anne Damm (I)
6 Donald Tanner (I)
Berrien County Commission
3 Marletta Seats (I)
4 Mamie Yarbrough (I)
10 Andrew Vavra (I)
11 Jess Minks
12 Michael Ringler
13 John Klimek (I)
Cass County Commission
1 Ed Goodman (I)
7 David Taylor (I)
9 Judy Helpingstine
11 Clark Cobb (I)
12 Minnie Warren (I)
13 Johnie Rodebush (I)
14 Debbie Johnson (I)
Grand Traverse County Commission
1 Bernol Soutar
Ionia County Commission
1 Lynn Mason (I)
4 Mark Vroman (I)
Kalamazoo County Commission
1 Jack Urban (I)
2 Carolyn Alford (I)
3 Robert Barnard (I)
4 John Taylor (I)
5 Brian Johnson (I)
6 Mike Seals
7 David Buskirk (I)
9 Chuck Vliek
10 Michael Quinn (I)
11 Barb Hammon
12 Scott McCormick
13 Harvey Hanna
15 Leroy Crabtree
16 Thomas Post
17 Jerry Rudolph
Kent County Commission
1 Mary Lauka
2 Patricia Kramer
3 James Black
4 Fred Clowney
6 James Rinck
7 Al Nielsen
8 Keith Courtade (I)
9 Duane Sprague
10 Albert Abbasse
11 Russell Duffin
12 Pete Hickey (I)
13 Kyle Hinton
14 Carol Hennessy (I)
15 Dick Bulkowski (I)
16 Jim Talen (I)
17 Candace Chivis
18 Richard Tormala
19 Bob Synk (I)
Leelanau County Commission
3 Jason Harrall
6 David Marshall (I)
7 Karl Dungjen
Manistee County Commission
2 Marlene E. Wood-Zylstra
3 Glenn Lottie (I)
4 Ervin A. Kowalski (I)
5 Karl R. Waitner
6 Jim Krolczyk (I)
7 Carl Rutske (I)
Montcalm County Commission
1 Ronald C. Blanding (I)
Mason County Commission
5 Jerome Rybicki (I)
8 David Fonnesbeck
Musekgon County Commission
1 Kenneth Mahoney (I)
2 Charles Buzzell (I)
4 James Derezinski (I)
5 Carl Wentzlof
6 Lew Collins (I)
7 Scott Plummer
8 Anthony Longmire
9 Rillastine Wilkins
10 Benjamin Cross
11 John Jurkas
Newaygo County Commission
1 Barbara Geno (I)
5 Rick Werkema
Oceana County Commission
1 David Spitler
5 Evelyn Kolbe (I)
Ottawa County Commission
3 Jeff Williams
Van Buren County Commission
1 Claudia Maddox
3 Al Hughes
