Recommendations for Michigan's Primary Election in 2010

Many people are asking me 'who are you voting for'. They know that I am a solid conservative, they know that I read and research all of the candidates, and they know that I teach government for a living so I know my stuff, so they feel I can offer advice to them on who to vote for. Every person's vote is their own, and I've always been a little shy about trying to tell people who to vote for, but because there is a demand for my opinions on the subject, I will suggest some options for voting in the coming primary election here in Michigan.

For Governor of Michigan, the options for the Republicans are Pete Hoekstra, Rick Snyder, Mike Bouchard, Mike Cox, and Tom George. I recommend that you vote for Pete Hoekstra. Tom George is not Governor material. Mike Bouchard is a #2. Rich Snyder I've written about several times (Analyzing Rick Snyder's 10 Point Plan, Exclusive: Rick Synder Blackmailed Young Supporters for Votes in Straw Poll on Mackinac Island, Rick Snyder- Do Not Support). That leaves it down to two serious candidates- Cox and Hoekstra. Both are solid conservatives in my opinion. Cox has shown that he knows how to lead and has solid executive experience, but is slimy and personally treated me badly. Hoekstra on the other hand has a good record in Congress and people speak well about him. So I'm going with Hoekstra, although I really like Cox too. For more in-depth discussion on these candidates, see theblogprof's I endorse Mike Cox for MI Governor, and here's why.

For Governor of Michigan, the options for the Democrats are Andy Dillon and Virg Bernero. I recommend that you vote for Andy Dillon. Although I worked for Dillon's recall several years ago due to his role in pushing for the largest increase ever in Michigan's history, since then he has obviously learned his lesson, and has been much more moderate. He has tried to pass legislation that every side likes and be a leader. If you vote for Dillon, expect a slightly better version of Granholm. Virg Bernero is a communist with a streak of Stalinism in him. I heard him interviewed on the radio, and he sounded proud to be a thuggish communist. Putting him in the Governor's office would be an unmitigated disaster for Michigan and would destroy hope for ever emerging from the molasses of Granholm's administration. I know the unions are backing him and funneling money into his coffers, but that's a joke too- it's sad when the MEA backs a guy who sent his kids to private schools over people who sent their kids to public schools (like Mike Cox).

For Representative in Congress from Michigan's 9th District the options are Rocky Racqkowski, Paul Welday, Anna Janek, and Richard Kuhn. I recommend that you vote for Rocky Racqkowski. Our district needs a solid leader who will fight for what our district wants (not a bought-off partisan hack like Gary Peters). Anna Janek is unprepared and Richard Kuhn lacks the energy the office might require. Paul Welday is a serious challenger, but his years in Washington appear to have tainted him a bit- he's a lobbyist and policy advisor who wants to now be the boss. Rocky is a veteran, business leader, was a leader in Michigan's Congress, and will be a great leader for our district. See my post on this race 9th Congressional District Republican Primary Debate for more analysis.

For State Senator of the 26th District of Michigan the options are Tim Terpening, Fran Amos, Michael Matheny, and David Robertson. I recommend that you vote for. I recommend that you vote for David Robertson. I've never heard of Tim Terpening and Michael Matheny before, although I see they are decent people. Fran Amos was a good Representative, but has a limited base and rubs a lot of people the wrong way. The 26th District is a pretty Democrat district, and we need someone who can win in those areas. David Robertson has shown that he can win in those areas, and is a solid Tea Party guy too.

For Judge of the Probate Court in Oakland County Michigan the options are Kathleen Ryan, Jamie Marie Verdi, J. Martin Brennan, Dana Margaret Hathaway, and Barbara B. Murphy. To be honest, I don't know much about these candidates, so I would direct you to look at the League of Women Voters Voting Guide Questionnaire that each filled out, and also take a look at OpenSecrets.org. I recommend that you vote for Marie Verdi though, because Kathleen Ryan donated money to Debbie Stabmenow (D), J. Martin Brennan has donated thousands to Democrats over the years, and Barbara Murphy has also donated thousands to Democrats over the years, and Verdi's answers on the questionnaire were decent.

For anyone who is curious, I am not on the ballot this year.

To any candidate who reads my blog, and I know there are a few of you out there, I want to pass on the following message- I've talked to you personally or attempted to do so several times, and so I gave you all a chance to earn my vote. Some of you blew me off, some of you offended me, and some of you insulted me, all without knowing the power of my pen, so I hope that because you treated me (a voter) that way, you suffer. Thus my wrath is great and probably powerless.