Always follow the money: Grand Rapids 1st Ward City Commission race has members of the Grand Rapids Power Structure seeking to buy a candidate

Within the past week, GRIID has discovered that one of the 1st Ward candidates for City Commission, Andrew Robbins, has been the recipient of major funding from two very conservative organizations in Grand Rapids.

On Tuesday, GRIID reported that the Grand Rapids Police Officer’s Association PAC had contributed $10,000 to Andrew Robbins, and on the same day we reported that Robbins had received an additional $10,500 from the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce. 

The GR Chamber of Commerce is part of the Grand Rapids Power Structure, while the GRPD police union essentially serves the same power structure.

On Friday, GRIID accessed the campaign finance report, which you can find at this link, for both Andrew Robbins and the incumbent Kurt Reppart. What follows is a breakdown of those reports – total funds, amount spent, number of contributions and a listing of the largest contributors.

Andrew Robbins

Total raised: $59,620.00

Total spent: $46,918.93

Total # of contributions: 105

Largest contributors:

Political Action Committees and organizations

• Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce PAC – $10,500
• Grand Rapids Police Officer’s Association PAC – $10,000
• Grand Rapids Fire Fighters Union PAC – $2000 
• Realtors Political Action Committee of Michigan – $1000

Individuals

• Andrew Robbins, candidate – $1050
• Johnny Brann Jr., President of Interphase Interiors – $1050
• Samuel Moore, ED of Kent County Parks Foundation – $1050
• Sam Cummings, CWD Real Estate Investment – $1050
• John Brann Sr., owner Brann’s Steakhouse – $1050
• Sandra Brann, Manager of Brann’s Steakhouse – $1050
• Mark Meijer, President of LifeEMS Ambulance – $1050
• Randy Damstra, Ottawa Avenue Private Capital (DeVos-owned) – $1050
• Richard DeVos, RDV Corp. – $1050
• Betsy DeVos, RDV Corp. – $1050
• Pamela DeVos, RDV Corp. – $1050
• Daniel DeVos, RDV Corp. – $1050
• Suzanne DeVos, RDV Corp. – $1050
• Steve Ehmann, RDV Corp. – $1050
• Doug DeVos, RDV Corp. – $1050
• Maria DeVos, RDV Corp. – $1050
• Terri Lynn, GML Companies – $1050
• Zachary Bossenbroek, Northgate Resorts – $1050
• Jim Bossenbroek, Northgate Resorts – $1050
• David Lyngklip, Power Generation Sales – $1050
• Daniel Meyering, CEO of Trillium Investments – $1000
• John Kennedy, President Autocam Corp. – $1000
• Michael Jandernoa, Owner 42 North Partners – $1000
• Susan Jandernoa, Board of Trustees GVSU – $1000
• Gayle VanGessel, Owner of Rockford Construction – $1000
• Rick Baker, CEO of GR Chamber of Commerce – $1000
• Mark Murray, Vice Chair of the Board Meijer Inc. – $500
• Mike VanGessel, CEO of Rockford Construction – $500
• Charlie Secchia, Partner Sibsco – $500
• JC Huizenga, CEO of West Water Group – $500
• Dan Hibma, Owner Land & Company – $500
• Doug Dozeman, Managing Partner Warner Norcross – $500
• Robert Schermer, Meritage Hospitality – $500

37 contributions were $500 or more.

Kurt Reppart

Total raised: $26,260.30

Total spent: $18,863.07

Total # of contributions: 114

Largest contributors:

Political Action Committees & Organizations

• Equity PAC – $1500 
• West Michigan Cannabis Guild – $1050

Individuals

• Rochelle Reppart, retired – $1050
• Casey Kornoelje, Owner Pharmhouse Wellness – $1000
• Dale Spencer, retired – $1000
• Aaron Jonker, President Wolverine Building Group – $1000
• Tamara Vandenberg, Owner Pyramid Scheme – $1000
• John Glover, ED Wellhouse – $800
• Joe Jones, CEO Hekima Group LLC – $650
• Patrice Jonker, Social Worker – $500
• Jonathan Peerboom, Co-owner of Pear tree Homes – $500
• Elizabeth Sharda, Professor Hope College – $500
• Paul Knust, Partner Studiocraft – $500
• Philip Scipio, Reporter London Stock Exchange Group – $500
• Megan Kornoelje, Realtor Keller Williams – $500

15 contributions were $500 or more.

The numbers for the campaign contributions going to the candidates in the 1st Wars Grand Rapids City Commission speak for themselves. More importantly, the amount of money that was contributed to Andrew Robbins campaign from members of the Grand Rapids Power Structure was astonishing. The DeVos family & Associates collectively contributed $9450 alone. Other members of the Grand Rapids Power Structure that contributed to Andrew Robbins were Michael & Susan Jandernoa, John Kennedy, Sam Cummings, Gayle & Mike VanGessel, Mark Murray, Rick Baker, JC Huizenga and Charlie Secchia. Anytime these people contribute to political candidates, those who claim to stand for social justice and collective liberation should reject those candidates. 

Editor’s Note: On Monday, we will post information about the other Grand Rapids City Commission Races, followed by candidates for the Grand Rapids School Board, Kent County Commission, State offices and more.