Always Follow the Money: Grand Rapids Mayoral Candidate David LaGrand

In July, after the campaign finance deadline, GRIID posted a piece on the campaign finances of Grand Rapids Mayoral candidate David LaGrand, pointing out some of the larger campaign contributors, which included folks who are part of the Grand Rapids Power Structure and other influencers. Today, I want to look at the campaign data from the most recent campaign finance documentation for LaGrand, which you can read here.

• Grand Rapids Fire Fighters Union PAC $2,500
• Steve Pestka – H & H Manegement & Development $1,500
• Thomas Schultz $1,000
• Andrew DeBoer $1,000
• Jon Bylsma – Attorney/Varnum $1,000
• Stephen Rechner $1,000
• Marlin Feyen – Feyen Zylstra $750
• Clay West – 17th Circuit Court Judge $600
• Peter Albertini – Realtor $500
• Fred Clowney – Intermet Systems $500
• Jack Hoffman – attorney with Kuiper Oilebeke $500
• Judy Freeman – Consultant $500
• Robert VanStright $500
• Brandon Dillon – Lobbyist with Winmatt Group $250
• Andy Bos – Eastown Financial Services $250

So far, David LaGrand has raised $31,823.65 for his Grand Rapids Mayoral campaign and has spent $8,708.11 to date. It should also be noted that his campaign manager is Richard Williamson, who has run numerous Democratic Party candidate campaigns in pervious election cycles, which is just another indication that local elections are partisan elections. 

Lastly, LaGrand’s campaign website does have a section on priorities, but like most candidate platforms, it is brief and rather vague when it comes to where he stands on critical issues.  In addition, it is worth noting that on his campaign Facebook page, there have been several inquiries on his stance about critical issues, which have not received responses.