The Positive Voices

Last month David LaGrand resigned his office as Grand Rapids Second Ward City Commissioner to launch a campaign to become State Senator in the 29th district, currently held by term-limited incumbent Bill Hardiman R-Kentwood. LaGrand lost a competitive race to Hardiman in 2006 as the Democratic nominee and subsequently sought and won the second ward seat in 2007. Since the Grand Rapids City Charter prohibits Commissioners from seeking partisan office, LaGrand had to resign his position in the middle of his four year term, leaving the City Commission to appoint a successor to fill the remaining two years of his tenure. Since State Representative Robert Dean had previously announced he was seeking the Democratic nomination to replace Hardiman, LaGrand’s action creates a scenario rarely seen in recent years – a contested Democratic primary for a legislative office. Rev. Robert Dean was elected State Representative in 2006, becoming the first Democrat to win the 75th District composed of parts of the second and third wards of the city of Grand Rapids. He is a pastor, former GR City Commissioner, and former Grand Rapids School Board member and President. David LaGrand, besides being a former Commissioner, is an attorney, former prosecutor, and owner of a neighborhood business – the Wealthy Street Bakery. There may be a GOP primary battle between term limited State Representative David Hildenbrand of Lowell and Garfield Park resident Lori Wiersema. Hildenbrand’s experience in Lansing, fundraising prowess, and name recognition makes him the favorite to win the primary, but in this year of tea parties and ant-incumbent anger who knows? Let’s also not be presumptuous, since candidates from both sides have until 4:00 pm, May 11th to file for office. Elections after all belong to the voters, not the special interests or political pundits and voters ultimately determine the final victors. A primary’s purpose should be a time for us to vet candidate qualifications and character while sifting through the BS and buzz words to find out where they really stand on the issues. Ideally, a general election will flesh out the details further. Ideally, but it rarely happens in real life where well funded campaigns market candidates like commercial products and the issues are obscured and avoided. The danger of a contested primary, particularly if the other party doesn’t really have one, is a bruising and bloody slugfest wasting financial resources, while giving critical ammunition to your general election opponent. Since LaGrand has given up his office there is no turning back for him and Representative Dean has said he is in for the long hall, but you never know until the deadline. Other candidates could emerge and people can always change their minds. Former Speaker Pro Tem Michael Sak still has not indicated whether he will seek the Senate seat. His candidacy would change the dynamics. Others might also. As stated previously, Republican candidates could face a crowded primary too. The Positive Voices will keep on top of the candidates and the issues as we proceed through this very critical election cycle. This is your community and your State. The stakes have never been higher and the challenges are great. We need educated and involved voters to give us great government. Let’s all get to  work.