DeVos names running mate for governor’s race

Analysis:

This article is basically an announcement of Dick DeVos’ choice for Attorney General in his race for Governor of Michigan. The article does provide some information on Ruth Johnson, that she was a former state legislator, and worked on education reforms. There is no real assessment of her voting record while in office from 1998 to 2004, nor any mention that she was a County Commissioner prior to that. There are no opposition or independent perspectives provided, even though the state Democrats sent out their own media release on the announcement.

Story:

LANSING — Republican candidate for governor Dick DeVos today chose Oakland County Clerk Ruth Johnson as his running mate.

The pick provides DeVos, an Ada businessman, with gender and geographical balance on the ticket. Oakland County is filled with moderate Republicans, who the conservative DeVos must persuade if he is to win.

Johnson will be formally nominated for lieutenant governor at the Republican convention in Novi Aug. 25-26.

Johnson, 52, spent six years the state House of Representatives. She left in 2004 because of term limits.

During her time in the Legislature, Johnson spearheaded a series of reforms aimed at intermediate school districts after financial abuses at the Oakland Intermediate School District were revealed, including extensive travel and the construction of a lavish headquarters.

Gov. Granholm signed a series of laws in 2004 that required districts to make public information about travel expenses, contracts of more than $100,000 — less than $25,000 if not competitively bid — and salaries of top employees.