Kent Intermediate says “Yes”

Today we received two more endorsements:

• Friends of Kent County Schools is the PAC for the Kent Intermediate School District,

• Michigan Association of School Administrators.

It means a lot to me that both a local and a state-wide group recognize our commitment. You can’t spend seven years on a school board without giving it your heart.

Their endorsement puts a lie to the idea you’ll hear from Democrats, that somehow Conservative Republicans can’t work with education. This Republican certainly does. A first class education should be the standard in our State, and not the exception. To get there will take the the lessons I’ve learned working with our administrators and teachers: how to handle conflict, how to be tough-minded and fair, how to work for the common good.

It takes time — experience — to learn those lessons. And that experience lets us look forward to putting conservative principles to work for our State. After all, the future we are building here in West Michigan — the future our State desperately needs to find — is a future built on strong schools. And we can do that, starting August 5.

“Cooperative and Creative Leadership . . .”

Those are words of The Grand Rapids Press’ endorsement.

And modestly, I think they sum up what we’ve been trying to do for this campaign.

Everyone knows that Lansing is broken.  The question ahead is what we will do about it.  And I should emphasize that word “we.”  It’s going to take both sides to solve our problems.  As I’ve said before, we’re going to have to listen to one another.  Leadership is helping others see our principles in action.  That’s the style of leadership I brought to my business for 24 years, and to the Caledonia school board. It’s principle backed by real-world knowledge and a commitment to results.

And we have a term for that informed, principled, practical leadership: “West Michigan Values.”

And now its a Grand Rapids Press value, too.

Leaders line up for a change in Lansing

One of the privileges of this campaign has been to have so many civic leaders support our candidacy.  Many have stood for election themselves. They know how important it is to have some one in Lansing who understands the issues, and knows how to provide the practical leadership that can lift up our State and get it moving.

They’re part of more than 250 business leaders, elected officials and everyday citizens who believe that we need a new way of doing business in Lansing.  The old way has simply broken down.  With their support and yours we can begin to lift up our state with practical, proven leadership.

The complete list is below the fold.

West Michigan Business Values

For over 23 years I have met payroll, served customers, and created jobs in Michigan. Yes, I know how government regulation and overbearing red-tape can strangle small business and stop opportunity. I also know how a good job brings hope to families.

I began this campaign because I wanted to make a difference in Lansing, the same way I have in my business, the same way I have for our schools here in Caledonia. That’s why I’m so grateful to receive the endorsement from more than 90 business owners throughout our area. More than ever, Lansing needs the sort of experienced West Michigan values they represent.

With your help, I hope to live up to their endorsement.