Muskegon GOP News
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U.S. Rep. Peter Hoekstra announces his candidacy for Michigan governor
Jumping into a wide-open GOP field, U.S. Rep. Peter Hoekstra likes his chances to win enough Southeast Michigan voters to seize the 2010 gubernatorial nomination.
"The language of business isn't different from one side of the state to the other," Hoekstra said.
"They know that I understand business issues. That stuff translates."
He was to declare his campaign for governor today with morning appearances in Detroit followed by stops in Lansing and Ottawa County. He plans to be at Herman Miller at 4:30 p.m.
Hoekstra said he intends to run a populist campaign, perhaps aiming for the same kind of result as his 1992 primary upset of longtime GOP incumbent Rep. Guy VanderJagt.
"In this campaign you will see a populist, someone who connects with the grassroots," Hoekstra said. "That's my strength. That's who I am."
A recent poll found Hoekstra tied with Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson, surprising many Republicans who regarded him as a long shot. Each polled at 20 percent among likely GOP primary voters, ahead of Michigan Attorney General Michael Cox and Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land.
The poll found deep support for the nine-term Holland Republican in West Michigan, with almost the opposite in Southeast Michigan. Hoekstra polled 47 percent among West Michigan voters but just 6 percent in metro Detroit.
He said he expects to devote considerable time and resources to Southeast Michigan, quipping he may take up part-time residence there.
"I may find a campaign office with a couch and a shower, and I am all set," Hoekstra said.
Analysts believe a Republican could take the governor's race in 2010, even in a state regarded as "blue" for its Democratic leanings. After years of economic distress, many voters have soured on Democratic Gov. Jennifer Granholm, while Lt. Gov. John Cherry, the Democratic favorite for the nomination, can be less than charismatic on the stump.
But Hoekstra, 55, concedes he will need to pivot toward state economic priorities from his identification with national security issues, a product of his years on the House Intelligence Committee.
Hoekstra asserted he established credibility on issues such as education reform and agriculture as well.
"When you talk to people in the state, they will say, 'Pete understands our issues,'" Hoekstra said.
Hoekstra would not rule out asking state workers for pay and benefit cuts and considering early release of nonviolent prisoners to save on prison costs.
"If you are a leader, you have to consider a whole range of options," Hoekstra said.
Hoekstra also said he opposes the tactic of targeting tax credits to specific industries, such as solar energy or film production.
"Any time government gets overly involved in picking winners and losers rather than just creating a healthy climate, we've got some real problems," Hoekstra said.
But he acknowledged the enormous stakes for Michigan in the struggle of the Big Three automakers.
"If any of the Big Three in Michigan goes under, it would be a huge blow to the state. It would be ugly."
But he added there are limits to what government can do to save them.
President Barack Obama was expected to unveil a plan today to prop up General Motors and Chrysler, whose restructuring proposals were not well received by the administration.
"It depends on how far they are willing to go," Hoekstra said. "Are they going to have a plan where the company has made sacrifices, where the UAW has made sacrifices?"
http://hoekstraforgovernor.com/
Former U-M, Buffalo Bills football player Jay Riemersma files paperwork to seek U.S. House seat
Former Zeeland High School and University of Michigan football star Jay Riemersma has filed paperwork to run for the congressional seat being vacated by U.S. Rep. Peter Hoekstra.
Publicly, Riemersma, a Republican, remains unannounced. But undated filings with the Federal Elections Commission declare him a candidate for the 2nd Congressional District.
Riemersma, an ex-Buffalo Bills NFL tight end and former Midwest director for the Family Research Council, did not return calls from The The seat opened when Hoekstra announced in December he would not run in 2010 after serving since 1992.
http://jayriemersma.com/
State Rep. Bill Huizenga announces run for at U.S. House seat being vacated in 2010 by longtime Republican Congressman Peter Hoekstra.
At a press conference Huizenga touted his legislative experience and his ties to Hoekstra in announcing he would seek to replace his former boss.
"A lot of people have asked me to run and I feel I need to fill a void that Pete's announcement has created," said Huizenga, R-Zeeland. "I've been through every part of the district and I know it from every aspect, from fruit growers to industrial manufacturing."
Huizenga, 39, served as Hoekstra's director of public policy from 1996 to 2002.
The sprawling 2nd Congressional District covers a huge swath of West Michigan and includes Muskegon, Ottawa, Newaygo and Oceana counties. Huizenga's southern Ottawa County state House district includes Hudsonville and the north side of Holland.
The graduate of Holland Christian High School and Calvin College can blend his state legislative experience -- he was elected in 2002 and is term-limited out -- with his work for Hoekstra to be effective.
A third-generation co-owner of Huizenga Gravel Co. in Georgetown Township, Huizenga says his business acumen is a strength.
http://huizengaforcongress.com/
Newest Candidate with hopes for a US Congress seat is Bill Cooper of Muskegon
A longtime successful Muskegon County business owner is preparing to take his first swing at elective politics by forming a campaign committee to consider a run for U.S. Congress.
Bill Cooper a Fruitport Township resident known for his Billy the Printer, Omni Fitness Center and AMG Business Center companies -- has filed papers to explore a 2010 run for the 2nd Congressional District seat held by Pete Hoekstra, R-Holland. The deadline to formally file for the race is still nearly a year away -- May 11, 2010.
Cooper, 47, said he would run on economic issues and from a platform of job creation. Philosophically, Cooper wants to reduce the size of government both in spending and taxes.
Cooper, a 1980 graduate of Fruitport High School, was a business "boy wonder." He began with Billy the Printer, a multilocation drive-through print shop he founded in 1985.
Over the years, Cooper has owned the Omni Fitness Center, Pro Travel, part of the Muskegon Fury, Big Time Communications, Great Lakes Jets and AMG Business Center. He also owned the Omni Fitness Center in Holland and a Billy the Printer in Grand Haven.
The 2nd Congressional District includes all or parts of Ottawa, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oceana, Mason, Lake, Wexford, Manistee and Benzie counties.
Cooper is the son of former Fruitport Township Supervisor Ron Cooper. He is married to Wendi, and the couple has three children.
Cooper expects to make a formal announcement of candidacy later this summer.
http\\:billcooper4wmi.com
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Michigan State Senate District 34
Muskegon County GOP Chairman David Farhat seeks 34th District Senate Seat
Farhat a local Muskegon native and former State Representative, has been splitting his time as a Realtor and developer, campaign consultant and Lansing lobbyist, as well as heading the local Muskegon GOP. Farhat elected to the State House of Representatives in 2002 served on Appropriations, Subcommittees: Higher Educations (ViceChair), School Aid and Department of Transportation. He attended Muskegon Catholic Central High School and Central Michigan University, and is active with the Fruitport Lions Club, Fruitport Eagles, Pheasants Forever, Lakeshore Safari Club, Sportsmen for Youth, NWTF, and the Muskegon Chamber of Commerce. His involvement in Arbor Day 2009 helped created a project which planted 220 shrubs and trees at the Muskegon County Wastewater site as the beginning of a yearly activity to provide a wildlife shelter belt between the native prairie grass lands currently at the site. His work with the Muskegon County Board of Public Works allowed the use 425 acres of wastewater property for habitat restoration that will include planting prairie grass, sorghum, wildflowers and other vegetation necessary to attract wildlife. His experience in Lansing, his business experience and his involvement in local activities and groups gives him gives him a unique perspective on the West Michigan area and the needs of it's residents.
Goeff Hansen for 34th Senate Seat
Goeff will be running for the seat soon to be vacated by Senator Jerry VanWoerkom, Goeff is a current State Rep.
Hansen was first elected to the Michigan House of Representatives in November 2004 and re-elected in November 2006. He currently represents the 100th District, which includes Lake, Newaygo and Oceana counties.
Goeff served on the Appropriations Committee for four years. He served as Chair of the Agriculture subcommittee as well as Ranking Member. He was also a member of the following Appropriations subcommittees – Higher Education, Transportation, General Government, and Human Services.
In Hansen’s current final term, he is a member of the following policy committees; Ranking Member of the House Commerce Committee; Agriculture; Urban Policy; and Tourism, Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation, respectively.
Goeff Hansen knows first hand the proud and prominent role of the agricultural industry in our community. He has been a champion for Michigan agriculture in Lansing. As past chair of the House Appropriations subcommittee on Agriculture, he has written budgets to provide funding in the areas of food safety, consumer protection, emergency management, economic development and plant/animal health. As the current Ranking Member of the House Commerce Committee, Rep. Hansen is applying his small business background to develop policies that will help grow Michigan’s economy and create jobs.
http://www.hansen4senate.com/
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