Don’t be fooled by the same old bullshit that the group Thrive and Prosper is promoting in Grand Rapids
Grand Rapids is synonymous with the phrase West Michigan Nice. West Michigan Nice is an ironic reference to the fact that while people and institutions might appear to be polite, in reality they look down on people with contempt or paternalism, especially those people made vulnerable by systems of power and oppression.
Therefore, the label of West Michigan Nice could aptly be given to the recently created group known as Thrive and Prosper. Yes, Thrive and Prosper. Sounds like a get rich quick scheme or a cult or just simply the logical outcome of how Grand Rapids deals with everything. The group’s mission statement is a clear indication of what they are really about:
We’re a collective of local businesses, entrepreneurs, investors, philanthropists, community organizations, faith organizations and residents with
a shared vision.
Change cannot be achieved in a vacuum. It needs collaboration, and for those involved to plan intentionally for actions that actually make a difference to people in our communities.
We must find the answers by working together, because if we’re going to build a city where everyone can thrive and prosper, we need everyone involved in finding solutions.
We believe that opportunity is a result of access to a certain set of circumstances. And by removing barriers, we can improve access and spur economic vitality for all. But change is hard.
Great. We all just need to remove barriers – conveniently not named – and then opportunities will just open up for people to prosper and thrive. Sweet Jesus! First, the group is made up of the usual suspects, as is reflected in their Partners in the Work list, shown above. You have groups that are members of the Grand Rapids Power Structure, government entities that collaborate with them, and members of the Non-Profit Industrial Complex, which helps to deliver people who might benefit from the limited amount of wealth creation. The only outside entity is Stand Together, which is a creation of the Koch Brothers.
Thrive and Prosper is just the latest iteration of the talent development and entrepreneurial pipeline that will allow a small sector of the local population to make money and be successful. The problem with this tired old approach is that it is just another manifestation of Capitalism 101, where given the right opportunity, you too can be financially successful.
Of course, the problem is that only a small percentage of Grand Rapids will Thrive and Prosper, since wealth creation under this model always requires profit making from cheap labor and the extraction of natural resources.
Thrive and Prosper will only benefit a few people, who will ultimately have to play the game created by members of the Grand Rapids Power Structure. However, the few that will Thrive and Prosper will also have to abandon their communities, since you can’t thrive and prosper without causing others hardship, poverty and despair. Welcome to West Michigan Nice!
Understanding the GR Power Structure – Part VI: The role of the local commercial news media
In Part I of this series I began an updated version of a Grand Rapids Power Analysis, which lays out the ground work for what the Grand Rapids Power Structure looks like and what it means for this community.
When I use the phrase, the Grand Rapids Power Structure and who has power, it is important to note that I mean power over. A local power analysis is designed to investigate who has power over – who oppresses, exploits and engages in policy that benefits them to the exclusion of everyone else – the majority of people living in Grand Rapids.
In Part II of this series on the Grand Rapids Power Structure, I looked at the DeVos family, which I argue is the most powerful family in this city, in terms of economics, politics, social and cultural dynamics.
In Part III of this series I looked at some of the other families and individuals that also wield tremendous power in this city, economically, politically and socially. In today’s post I will focus on the private sector organizations that also have tremendous power and influence on daily life in Grand Rapids.
In Part IV, I focus on private sector organizations, many of which have individuals who are part of the Grand Rapids Power structure sitting on their boards. These private sector organizations serve a vital role in dictating local policy, which primarily benefits their own interests.
Part V took a critical look at the role that the Grand Rapids City Commission and the Kent County Commission play in representing the interests of the private power sector, along with how they use fear and violence against residents who are actively challenging the local power structure.
Today, I want to talk about the role that the local commercial news media plays in normalizing systems of oppression that protect and expand the Grand Rapids Power Structure.
One significant misunderstanding about the media, specifically, the news media, is that it is often viewed through a liberal vs conservative lens. While there are nuances within various news media outlets, the main function of most news media is to serve and normalize power. The news media in the Greater Grand Rapids area also reflects this function.
In addition to serving and normalizing power, the local news media also serves the following functions:
- Consumerism
- Distraction
- Pacification
- Dumbing the public down
- Normalizing the values and perspectives of systems of power
Commercial news media functions within the framework of capitalism, which means that its primary objective is to make money. This is especially the case, since most local news media is owned by a much larger corporation. For example, WZZM 13 is owned by Gannett, MLive is owned by the Advanced Publications (Newhouse Brothers) and WXMI 17 is now owned by the Sinclair Broadcast Group. In fact, very little local news media is owned locally and none of the daily news entities parent companies are based in Grand Rapids. Since we last posted on the GR Power Structure in 2018, both MiBiz and the Grand Rapids Business Journal were bought up by the Detroit-based company Crain’s Communication, thus making the consolidation of local news media even more controlled.
Last month I posted an article about the methodical news media monitoring I have been doing since January 1st, particularly looking at critical issues such as policing, public education, climate justice and local democracy. The data is startling and is a reflection of the low quality of journalism that is being practiced in this community.
There are endless examples of how the local news media normalizes systems of oppression and defends the Grand Rapids Power Structure. One example is the local news coverage of the May 30th uprising that took place in Grand Rapids, including the 5 days after. Despite the fact that the the uprising included several thousand people in the streets, the local news media centered the perspectives of Grand Rapids City officials, the GRPD and downtown business owners.
A second example of how the local news media normalizes systems of oppression can be seen in the news coverage of the GRPD murder of Patrick Lyoya. GRIID has posted numerous stories that deconstruct how the local news has treated the GRPD murder of Patrick Lyoya, like a June 12th article about how the lawyers representing the killer cop want to control the narrative, how the local news coverage has been sympathetic towards the cop who killed Patrick Lyoya, clear examples of bias, and how the 2nd anniversary of Patrick Lyoya’s murder was reported.
A third example is how the local news reports on the current housing crisis, such as not adequately reporting on the un-affordability of housing in Grand Rapids, how the local news continues to present false solutions to the housing crisis and how the local news has made a GR Chamber of Commerce group the appointed experts on the housing crisis instead of talking to people who are actually most impacted by the housing crisis.
The last example(s) I want to share has to do with how the local news reports on development projects in downtown Grand Rapids and just how subservient the news is to those in the GR Power Structure. Here is a short list just in the past 6 months:
- Power Dynamics, community engagement and the Grand Action Soccer Stadium proposal
- MLive article doesn’t challenge the unelected, anti-democratic DDA Board, who also makes decisions on how millions in tax dollars are spent
- The end of the Richard & Helen DeVos Foundation – Part I: The news media’s subservience
- MLive’s Amphitheater coverage is a disgusting display of Neo-Liberal Journalism
- WZZM 13 provides a platform for the Destination Kent Committee to claim misinformation regarding August 6th Hotel Tax vote billboard
As long as the local news media choses to defend and protect the interests of the Grand Rapids Power Structure, it will mean that fewer people will be exposed to how this power structure functions and how much it controls. In Part VII, I’ll take a look at how local colleges and universities act as a buffer system for the Grand Rapids Power Structure.
Recently, the Michigan Supreme Court ruled 4-3 that an “adopt-and-amend” tactic used by the Republican-controlled Legislature in 2018 was unconstitutional. This means that the minimum wage in Michigan could go up to $12 an hour (it’s only $10.33 an hour right now) and that businesses would be required to provide paid sick leave.
While any increase in the minimum wage in Michigan is a good thing, just raising it to $12 an hour in 2025 is still grossly inadequate for people to make a living. The National Low Income Housing Coalition has stated that for people living in Grand Rapids they would have to make $25.50 an hour to afford the average rental costs in this city.
One would think that upon hearing about the Michigan Supreme Court ruling that local news agencies would have wanted to talk with working class people, especially those in the service industry. Unfortunately, WOODTV8 decided to talk with the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce on their reaction to the slight increase in the minimum wage for Michigan.
The channel 8 story not only avoids talking to workers, especially those who make the minimum wage, they provide a platform for the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce, which has consistently opposed a raise in the minimum wage. The GR Chamber’s position on opposing an increase in the minimum wage is also reflected in which political candidates they make campaign contributions to at the state level.
The Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce spokesperson that news 8 spoke with was Josh Lunger, who was quoted as saying:
“Our team’s going to be working with the administration, the Legislature, departments and our other peer associations across the state in trying to get further details. And then try to see if there’s a consensus, bipartisan consensus, to fix some of the concerns that we have, particularly for small employers and for those in the service industry.”
The WOODTV8 reporter either didn’t know the history that the GR Chamber has with opposing minimum wage increases and their desire to only represent “labor costs” for businesses. If channel 8 had a sharp reporter, they should have at least asked tough questions to the GR Chamber spokesperson and challenged them around their consistent opposition to increasing the minimum wage.
Local reporters would only have to look at the GR Chamber of Commerce’s website, specifically the State Policy recaps they provide on a regular basis to members, such as the one from July of 2023, which stated: Repeal of a Right-to-Work and prevailing wage were the first big dominoes to fall over business community opposition.
The GR Chamber of Commerce even posted about the Michigan Supreme Court ruling last week, complaining about the hardship it will cause for Michigan businesses, both on the wages issue and the paid sick leave requirements.
One wonders why local news agencies are so removed from the economic realities of working class people, that they chose to get a powerful business association to talk on camera, a business association that has opposed minimum wage increases and other basic labor rights since they were founded in 1887.
For several weeks now GRIID has been posting articles focusing on campaign finance information for candidates and ballot initiatives.
Following the money is always important, since those individuals with deep pockets and Political Action Committees (PACs) are always trying to influence the outcome of elections to protect and expand their interests.
Grand Action 2.0, the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce and a few other capitalists have raised nearly half a million dollars in 2 short months in the hopes of convincing people to vote for the so-called Hotel Tax. The Destination Kent Committee is also being deceptive in their campaign literature.
The money behind the Grand Rapids Mayoral race is dominated by donors to David LaGrand. Check out who is backing him and the other candidates for Mayor.
The Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce and the Grand Rapids Police Officers Association PAC are also trying to buy candidates in the 1st and 3rd Ward races in Grand Rapids.
In Kent County, see who is bankrolling the Sheriff, Treasurer, Clerk and Prosecutor, along with all of the Kent County Commission races.
The State Representative races in West Michigan also have lots of corporate PAC money involved, plus see my piece on which West MI families are the largest donors to the Republican Senate and House Committees in Michigan.
The largest campaign contributor to 3rd Congressional Rep. Hillary Scholten re-election campaign is the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.
Also, two additional voter information sources should be useful for people. The first is the new Local Democracy, Transparency and Accountability Project work being done through the Community Owns Safety Coalition. So far they are providing campaign finance records for local candidates, but they will also be tracking voting records for the Grand Rapids City Commission the Kent County Commission and the GRPS School Board.
The other new source is a voter guide for Grand Rapids and Kent County candidates and ballot initiatives for 2024 produced by the Urban Core Collective. This voter guide was created by the BIPOC members of the Urban Core Collective.
Palestine Solidarity Information, Analysis, Local Actions and Events for the week of August 4th
It has been 10 months since the Israeli government began their most recent assault on Gaza and the West Bank. The retaliation for the October 7 Hamas attack in Israel, has escalated to what the international community has called genocide, therefore, GRIID will be providing weekly links to information and analysis that we think can better inform us of what is happening, along with the role that the US government is playing. We will also provide information on local events and actions that people can get involved in. All of this information is to provide people with the capacity of what Noam Chomsky refers to as, intellectual self-defense.
Information
“Ethnic Cleansing Tactics”: 86 Percent of Gaza Is Under Evacuation Orders
‘Cruel and Dangerous’: Netanyahu Delays Evacuation of Sick Children From Gaza
The US Is Backing Israel’s Systematic Killing of Journalists
Israel Has Damaged or Destroyed 85 Percent of Schools in Gaza
What Does Arming Israel Cost Us?
Analysis & History
VIDEO: Netanyahu’s Political Survival Depends on “War Continuing Forever”
Local Events and Actions
Power to Palestine: Weekly Rally in Grand Rapids
Wednesday, August 7th, 6 – 7pm, Rosa Parks Circle
Image used is from https://visualizingpalestine.org/visual/30-days-at-sde-teiman-israels-torture-camp/
Follow the Money: State House Races in West Michigan with lots of corporate PAC money
All week long I have been providing documentation on campaign finances around candidates for political races in Grand Rapids and Kent County, along with the group behind the Hotel Tax ballot initiative, the Destination Kent Committee. I even posted a piece about how West MI dominates funding to the House Republican Campaign Committee and the Senate Republican Campaign Committee. Today I want to look at campaign contributions to the 10 different State House races in West Michigan.
State Representative – 78th District
Christine M. Terpening (D) – no campaign finance data available
Gina Johnsen (R) – Raised over $50,000, from numerous members of the Capitalist Class, like the DeVos family, etc. https://cfrsearch.nictusa.com/documents/565659/details/filing/contributions?schedule=*&changes=0&page=1
Jon Rocha (R) – Raised roughly $30,000, with Rocha providing the the largest portion of campaign finances. https://cfrsearch.nictusa.com/documents/566080/details/filing/contributions?schedule=*&changes=0&page=1
State Representative – 79th District
Jason Rubin (D) – Raised just over $70,000, with almost all of the money coming from Rubin himself. https://cfrsearch.nictusa.com/documents/565693/details/filing/contributions?schedule=*&changes=0&page=1
Angela Rigas (R) – Raised less than $10,000 from 29 different contributors. https://cfrsearch.nictusa.com/documents/565839/details/filing/contributions?schedule=*&changes=0&page=1
State Representative – 80th District
Phil Skaggs (D) – Raised roughly $25,000, with most of it coming from Corporate and Union PACs. https://cfrsearch.nictusa.com/documents/565796/details/filing/contributions?schedule=*&changes=0&page=1
Bill Sage (R) – no campaign finance data available
State Representative – 81st District
Stephen Wooden (D) – Raised over $50,000 from 389 contributors, with the largest from the Kent County Democrats ($7000) and Climate Cabinet PAC ($6000). https://cfrsearch.nictusa.com/documents/565797/details/filing/contributions?schedule=*&changes=0&page=1
Jordan Youngquist (R) – no campaign finance data available
State Representative – 82nd District
Kristian Grant (D) – Raised about $30,000 with $6000 from the Grand Rapids Firefighter Union PAC, $5000 from the Michigan Manufactured Housing, RV, and Campground Association and $3500 from the Michigan Realtors PAC, all of which is important since Rep. Grant is the chair of the Housing Committee. https://cfrsearch.nictusa.com/documents/564788/details/filing/contributions?schedule=*&changes=0&page=1
Ryan Malinoski (R) – no campaign finance data available
State Representative – 83rd District
John Fitzgerald (D) – Raised over $100,000 from numerous PACs and individuals who gave $1000 or more. https://cfrsearch.nictusa.com/documents/565701/details/filing/contributions?schedule=*&changes=0&page=1
Tommy Brann (R) – Raised around $40,000, with contributions from many of the members of the Grand Rapids Power Structure. https://cfrsearch.nictusa.com/documents/565856/details/filing/contributions?schedule=*&changes=0&page=1
State Representative – 84th District
Carol Glanville (D) – Raised over $100,000 with big contributions from numers Democratic Party PACs, Union PACs and several corporate PACs. https://cfrsearch.nictusa.com/documents/565759/details/filing/contributions?schedule=*&changes=0&page=1
Justin Rackham (D) – no campaign finance data available
Ben June (R) – no campaign finance data available
State Representative – 89th District
Lois E. Maassen (D) – Raised around $5000, with no large donors. https://cfrsearch.nictusa.com/documents/564883/details/filing/contributions?schedule=*&changes=0&page=1
Luke Meerman (R) – Raised around $10,000, with a few $1000 or more contributors. https://cfrsearch.nictusa.com/documents/564853/details/filing/contributions?schedule=*&changes=0&page=1
State Representative – 90th District
William J. Higgins (D) – no campaign finance data available
Bryan Posthumus (R) – Raised nearly $25,000, with lots of corporate PACs. https://cfrsearch.nictusa.com/documents/565045/details/filing/contributions?schedule=*&changes=0&page=1
State Representative – 91st District
Jason A. Dillingham (D) – Raised less than $10,000, with a few $1000 or more donors. https://cfrsearch.nictusa.com/documents/565277/details/filing/contributions?schedule=*&changes=0&page=1
Pat Outman (R) – Raised nearly $30,000, with numerous corporate PACs. https://cfrsearch.nictusa.com/documents/565740/details/filing/contributions?schedule=*&changes=0&page=1
In the case where there is no campaign finance data available, it means that those candidates are merely a name on the ballot, but likely to lose. There was significant corporate PAC contributions to both Democratic and Republican candidates, which means they hope to influence public policy to protect their interests. There were also a few examples where members of the Grand Rapids Power Structure contributed to candidates, those who best represent their interests.
West Michigan donors make up half of the top 25 contributors to the Michigan Republican House and Senate Committees
All week long I have been providing documentation on campaign finances around candidates for political races in Grand Rapids and Kent County, along with the group behind the Hotel Tax ballot initiative, the Destination Kent Committee.
I will be posting campaign finance data for State House races that are in West Michigan as well, but before I add that piece, I wanted to share some very interesting data as it relates to West Michigan and the GOP campaign contributions for the entire state.
There are two GOP groups that are consistently the largest recipients of campaign contributions during elections cycles, the House Republican Campaign Committee and the Senate Republican Campaign Committee.
According to data from the site https://www.transparencyusa.org/, the top 25 contributors to both of the Republican groups mentioned above are contributors from West Michigan during election cycles from 2017 to the present. What follows is the data for the top 25 contributors to the House Republican Campaign Committee over the last 8 years. I will highlight the people/orgs that are from West Michigan.
- Maria & Doug DeVos – $691,300.00
- Wentworth Majority Fund – $603,530.82
- Matt Hall PAC – $590,100.00
- Daniel DeVos – $345,650.00
- John Kennedy III – $345,650.00
- Nancy Kennedy – $345,650.00
- Richard DeVos Jr. – $345,650.00
- Suzanne Cheryl DeVos – $345,650.00
- J. C. Huizenga – $335,650.00
- Mary Whiteford – $327,620.00
- Michigan Beer and Wine Wholesalers State PAC – $309,200.00
- Republican State Leadership Committee – $305,650.00
- Ron Weiser – $303,675.00
- Matthew Hayworth – $293,875.00
- Michigan Realtors SuperPAC – $287,225.00
- Richard Hayworth – $274,875.00
- Pamella DeVos – $265,650.00
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan PAC – $260,475.00
- Michigan Republican Party – $250,850.00
- Matthew Moroun – $247,825.00
- DTE Energy PAC – $246,975.00
- Meijer PAC – $236,975.00
- Michael Jandernoa – $236,875.00
- Luke Meerman – $233,500.00
- James Nicholson – $228,950.00
You can see that there are 14 of the top 25 contributors to the House Republican Campaign Committee that are from West Michigan.
Now let’s look at the data for the top 25 contributors to the Senate Republican Campaign Committee over the last 8 years. I will highlight the people/orgs that are from West Michigan.
- Maria & Doug DeVos – $593,550.00
- Aric Nesbitt – $543,025.00
- Compete Michigan PAC – $415,089.68
- James Stamas – $337,950.00
- Richard DeVos Jr. – $336,775.00
- J C Huizenga – $335,650.00
- John Kennedy III – $301,700.00
- Daniel DeVos – $296,775.00
- Suzanne Cheryl DeVos – $296,775.00
- Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan PAC – $283,975.00
- DTE Energy PAC – $280,000.00
- Michigan Beer and Wine Wholesalers State PAC – $272,925.00
- Michigan Realtors SuperPAC – $267,950.00
- Ron Weiser – $262,000.00
- Meijer PAC – $251,975.00
- Nancy Kennedy – $241,700.00
- Matthew Moroun – $238,950.00
- Wayne Schmidt – $236,550.00
- Heather and Ronald Boji – $230,000.00
- Michael Jandernoa – $228,000.00
- Curtis VanderWall – $222,325.00
- Pamella DeVos – $216,775.00
- Stephen Ehmann – $216,775.00
- Growing Michigan Majority Fund – $212,550.00
- Republican State Leadership Committee Michigan PAC – $207,750.00
Here you can see that there are 12 of the top 25 contributors to the House Republican Campaign Committee that are from West Michigan, just shy of half.
What we can clearly see is that in terms of campaign contributions to the two largest Republican committees in Michigan, the House Republican Campaign Committee and the Senate Republican Campaign Committee, those from West Michigan dominate in terms of money. Sort of adds another layer to the notion of West Michigan Nice!
Follow the Money: Kent County Commission races that are backed by big donors and the usual suspects
Yesterday I posted an article about how the rich and powerful are funding the campaigns for the Kent County Prosecutor, the Kent County Clerk, the Kent County Sheriff and the the Kent County Treasurer. Today, I want to look those same donors are with regards to the Kent County Commission races.
Kent County Commissioner District 1
Jerry Berta (D) – no funding
Ben Greene (R) – Raised $4925.00 and backed by the rich and powerful, such as: Dab Burrill $1250.00, Dan DeVos $1225.00, Dick DeVos $1,225.00, Doug DeVos $1225.00 and many more, according to the campaign finances documents 1 and 2. https://campaignfinance.us/docs.kent.mi/19666.PDF https://campaignfinance.us/docs.kent.mi/20330.PDF
Kent County Commissioner District 2
Russell C. Yonkers (D) – no funding
Joel J Langlois (R) – raised $10,000.00, but it was all self-financed. https://campaignfinance.us/docs.kent.mi/20480.PDF
Elizabeth Morse (R) – Raised $6050.00, with top donors being Maintain Our Majority $4,000.00, Richard and Melinda Gorski Trust $1,000.00, Friends of West Michigan Business PAC $500.00, Jeffrey Vanderwerff $250.00, Melinda Gorski $200.00. https://campaignfinance.us/docs.kent.mi/21538.PDF
Kent County Commissioner District 3
Jenn Merchant (R) – Raised $500.00 from the GR Chamber PAC.
Kent County Commissioner District 4
Judy A. Wood (D) – Raised $1500.00 from Judy Wood $1,000.00 and Kent County Democratic Party $500.00. https://campaignfinance.us/docs.kent.mi/20977.PDF
Kathy J. Clark (R) – Raised $5108.00, with top donors being Margaret Potter $1000.00, Norma Vankuiken $1000.00, Yvonne Curtis $500.00, Joan Mitchell $300.00, Duane Ritter $250.00. https://campaignfinance.us/docs.kent.mi/21660.PDF
Katie DeBoer (R) – no funds raised
Kent County Commissioner District 5
Vanessa E. Lee (D) – no funds raised.
Dave Hildenbrand (R) – Raised $4200.00, with top donors being Dan DeVos $1225.00, Doug DeVos $1225.00, Richard DeVos $1225.00, and the Grand Rapids Chamber PAC $500.00. https://campaignfinance.us/docs.kent.mi/20243.PDF
Kent County Commissioner District 6
Nicholas VanderVeen (D) – $5369.00, with top donors being Kent County Democratic Party $3000.00, Nicholas Vander Veen $1,692.00, Patrick Miles $500.00, Brennen Gorman $250.00, and Jai Maw $100.00. https://campaignfinance.us/docs.kent.mi/20217.PDF
Stan Stek (R) – Raised $26,075.00, with top donors being Grand Rapids Chamber PAC $7000.00, Betsy DeVos $1225.00, Daniel DeVos $1225.00, Doug DeVos $1225.00, and Maria DeVos $1225.00. https://campaignfinance.us/docs.kent.mi/20288.PDF
Kent County Commissioner District 7
Sonia Riley (D) – no funds raised.
Stan Ponstein (R) – Raised $1000.00, with top donors being Commercial Alliance of Realtors PAC $500.00 and Stan Ponstein $500.00. https://campaignfinance.us/docs.kent.mi/20099.PDF
Kent County Commissioner District 8
Chris Herweyer (D) – Raised $19,103.80, with the top donors being Kent County Democratic Party $3000.00, Climate Cabinet PAC $2000.00, Michigan LCV PAC $1500.00, Joshua Ferguson $1225.00, and Tracy Dobson $800.00. https://campaignfinance.us/docs.kent.mi/20278.PDF
Dan Burrill (R) – Raised $30,500.00, with the top donors being The Friends of West Michigan Business PAC $7000.00, Mark Bissell $1225.00, Betsy DeVos $1225.00, Dan DeVos $1225.00, and Doug DeVos $1225.00. https://campaignfinance.us/docs.kent.mi/20148.PDF
Kent County Commissioner District 9
Matt Kallman (R) – no funds raised.
Kent County Commissioner District 10
Roslund Harris (D) – Raised $1080.00, with the top donors being Kent County Democratic Party $500.00, Paul Kearny $200.00, Johnny Know $100.00, Christopher Polzin $100.00, and Angela Bunn $50.00. https://campaignfinance.us/docs.kent.mi/20761.PDF
Bill Hirsch (R) – Raised $6806.31, with the top donors being Christine Guitierrez $1000.00, Dennis Heffron $1000.00, Anna Timmer $1000.00, Eric Fouch $500.00, and Tim Zanderberg $500.00. https://campaignfinance.us/docs.kent.mi/20145.PDF
Robin Halsted (R) – Raised $42,476.91, with the top donors being Maintain Our Majority $10,000.00, John/Nancy Kennedy $2450.00, Grand Rapids Chamber PAC $2000.00, Mark/Mary Bissell $1225.00, and Betsy DeVos $1225.00. https://campaignfinance.us/docs.kent.mi/20678.PDF
Kent County Commissioner District 11
Alyssa Joy Arnemann (D) – no funds raised
Lindsey Thiel (R) – Raised $44,520.00, with the tops donors being TGIF Victory Fund $12,250.00, Sidney Jansma Jr $2450.00, Grand Rapids Chamber PAC $1500.00, Mark Bissell $1225.00, and Betsy DeVos $1225.00. https://campaignfinance.us/docs.kent.mi/20327.PDF
Steve Kenyon (R) – no funds raised
Kent County Commissioner District 12
Monica Sparks (D) – Raised $1750.00, with the top donors being Realtors Political Action Committee of Michigan $500.00, Kent County Democratic Party $500.00, Grand Rapids Chamber PAC $250.00. https://campaignfinance.us/docs.kent.mi/20604.PDF
H. Lee White (R) – no funds raised.
Kent County Commissioner District 13
Michelle McCloud (D) – Raised $4255.00, with the top donors being Michelle McCloud $3000.00, Kent County Democratic Party $500.00, and the Grand Rapids Chamber PAC $250.00. https://campaignfinance.us/docs.kent.mi/20415.PDF
Nick Prill (R) – no funds raised.
Kent County Commissioner District 14
Carol M. Hennessy (D) – Raised $750.00, with the top donors being Kent County Democratic Party $500.00, and the Grand Rapids Chamber PAC $250.00. https://campaignfinance.us/docs.kent.mi/20409.PDF
Catherine Edwards (R) – no funds raised
Kent County Commissioner District 15
Lisa S Oliver-King (D) – Raised $2185.00, with the top donors being Kent County Democratic Party $500.00, and the Grand Rapids Chamber PAC $250.00. https://campaignfinance.us/docs.kent.mi/20425.PDF
Alexa Otte (R) – no funds raised.
Kent County Commissioner District 16
Melissa LaGrand (D) – Raised $2395.00, with the top donors being Kent County Democratic Party $500.00, Robert VanStright $500.00, Grand Rapids Chamber PAC $250.00, Isabelle Selles $250.00, and Judy Freeman $100.00. https://campaignfinance.us/docs.kent.mi/20379.PDF
Emil Savoy (R) – no funds raised.
Kent County Commissioner District 17
Tony Baker (D) – Raised $12,270.00, with the top donors being Jim Williams $1000.00, Robert Wolford $1000.00, Tony Baker $800.00, Paul Boyer $500.00, and McCalvery Merchant PAC $500.00. https://campaignfinance.us/docs.kent.mi/20412.PDF
Robert Womack (D) – Raised $3750.00, with the top donors being Ven Johnson $1200.00, Robert Womack $1000.00, Wayman Britt $300.00, Richard Thrush $300.00, and Johnathan Veldt $300.00. https://campaignfinance.us/docs.kent.mi/21769.PDF
Jason Gillikin (R) – no funds raised.
Kent County Commissioner District 18
Steve Faber (D) – Raised $25,740.00, with the top donors being Steve Faber $10,124.34, Taggert Town $1225.00, Lisa Town $1225.00, James Williams $1225.00, and the Grand Rapids Chamber PAC $1000.00. https://campaignfinance.us/docs.kent.mi/20353.PDF
Dan Hesse (D) – Raised $10,059.02, with the top donors being Kathryn Smith $1225.00, Angelyn Royce $500.00, Dan Hesse $485.00, Richard Maycroft $450.00, and Duncan McCleod $420.00. https://campaignfinance.us/docs.kent.mi/20404.PDF
James R. Rinck (D) – Raised $22,620.64, with the top donors being James Rinck $22,500.00, Mike Koelzer $97.07, Tom Trzybinski $23.84, and Ryan Wieland $.73. https://campaignfinance.us/docs.kent.mi/20738.PDF
Josie Kornev (R) – Raised $2788.59, with the top donors being Anna Timmer $500.00, Michael Dubiel $300.00, Duane Gritter $260.59, Martha Schaut $200.00, and Barbara & Dave Agema $100.00. https://campaignfinance.us/docs.kent.mi/20236.PDF
Tim Allen (R) – no funds raised.
Kent County Commissioner District 19
Kris Pachla (D) – Raised $1850.00, with the top donors being Friends of West Michigan Business PAC $500.00, Kent County Democratic Party $500.00, Johnathan Vandenberg $250.00, Mark Pachla $200.00, and Kathleen Underwood $150.00. https://campaignfinance.us/docs.kent.mi/20422.PDF
Karen G. Machiorlatti (R) – no funds raised.
Kent County Commissioner District 20
Nancy L. Morales (D) – Raised $2015.00, with the top donors being Kent County Democratic Party $1000.00, Nancy Morales $300.00, Mark McClain $100.00, Dale Hurst $100.00, and Ericka Lozano-Buhl $100.00. https://campaignfinance.us/docs.kent.mi/21486.PDF
Derek Anderson (R) – Raised $2820.00, with the top donors being Norma Vankuiken $1000.00, Derek Anderson $500.00, Marty Shaut $220.00, Bonnie Burke $240.00, and Adlai Brown $200.00. https://campaignfinance.us/docs.kent.mi/21719.PDF
David Lee Boelkes (R) – no funds raised.
Kent County Commissioner District 21
Walter Bujak (R) – Raised $1225.00. https://campaignfinance.us/docs.kent.mi/20376.PDF
As you can see for yourself, there are certain names of Political Action Committees and individuals that are the primary donors to campaigns for Kent County Commission. Some districts are sacrificed, since candidates have not raised any money. Like the previous posts I have done about campaign financing in Kent County and in the City of Grand Rapids, those with deep pockets are likely to get their candidates elected, which often means that policies at the city and county level will not challenge systems of power and oppression.
Follow the Money: In Kent County the Prosecutor, Clerk, Sheriff, and Treasurer are largely funded by the rich and powerful
There are elected positions in Kent County that are often overlooked during election cycles. These positions wield tremendous power in this area around issues such as policing, transparency, mass incarceration, and finances, yet they rarely get scrutinized.
I am talking about the Kent County Prosecutor, the Kent County Sheriff, the Kent County Clerk, and the Kent County Treasurer.
Besides not talking about this position, we often overlook at their campaign finances during election cycles, which are quite instructive. Leading up to the August 6th Primary, here is how much the incumbents have raised for these Kent County positions:
- County Clerk: Lisa Postumus Lyons – $133,682.37
- County Prosecutor: Chris Becker – $112,656.39
- County Sheriff: Michelle LaJoye-Young – $121,531.39
- County Treasurer: Peter MacGregor – $176,136.32
What is even more instructive is the list of top contributors to each of these incumbents.
These lists are nearly identical. It’s as if all the people on these lists got together to conspire. Not really, this is just how systems of power and members of the Capitalist Class operate. They want to control us in every way possible. Until we come to terms with these dynamics things will not fundamentally change. No I’m not talking about running candidates against them, I’m talking about dismantling these systems and creating a more humane, a more just and a more joyful way of coexisting in this community. Another World is Possible!
Follow the Money: Big money donors are backing candidates in the 1st and 3rd Ward Grand Rapids City Commission races
Just as I noted in the mayoral race for Grand Rapids, members of the Grand Rapids Power Structure and numerous political action committees (PACs) are hoping to influence the outcome of the races for Grand Rapids City Commission in the 1st and 3rd Wards.
Money influences in the Grand Rapids First Ward City Commission race
There are four candidates for the seat that Jphn O’Conner will be vacating at the end of 2024. However, there is just one candidate that has raised more than 5 times the amount of money that the other 3 candidates have raised……combined.
Alicia Marie Belchak has raised a total of $4756 from 57 different contributions.
Melanie Droski has raised $2,800 from just 2 contributors.
Mike Fassbender has raised $3,022.50 of which he donated.
However, 1st Ward candidate Dean Pacific has raised a total of $63,809.20. Not only has he far out raised the other candidates, he has received major contributions from the following organizations and individuals:
- Grand Rapids Police Officer’s Association PAC – $12,500
- Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce PAC – $,5000
- Grand Rapids Firefighters Union PAC – $2,500
- John Brann – $1,225
- Johnny Brann – $1,225
- Christian Meyer – $1,225
- Richelle Krueger – $1,225
- Thomas Krueger – $1,225
- Timothy Schowalter: Pioneer Construction – $1,225
- Sidney Jansma: Wolverine Oil & Gas – $1,225
- Joan Secchia – $1,225
- Mark Murray – $1,225
- Mike VanGessel: CEO Rockford Construction – $1,225
- Kevin Polakovich – $1,225
- Kristin Polakovich – $1,225
- Daniel Meyering: CEO Trillium Investments – $1,225
- Madolyn Bryant – $1,225
- Charlie Secchia: President of SIBSCO – $1,225
- J.C. Huizenga: Huizenga Group – $1,225
- John Kennedy: CEO Autocam Medical – $1,225
- Nancy Kennedy – $1,225
- Mark Bissell: CEO Bissell Inc. – $1,225
- Michael Jandernoa: $1,225
- Blake Krueger – $1,225
- Mary Krueger – $1,225
- Sandra Brann – $1,225
- Thomas Brann – $1,225
- Jim Williams – $1,200
- Janet Pacific – $1,000
- Frederick Pacific – $1,000
- Thomas Bylenga – $1,000
- Realtors Political Action Committee of Michigan – $1,000
Money influences in the Grand Rapids Third Ward City Commission race
There are six candidates running for the Third Ward Grand Rapids City Commission race. As I write this post (July 28th) Al Willis, Joyce Priscilla Gipson and Reggie Howard have not filed a campaign finance report.
Bing Goei has raised a total of $26,300 from just 9 contributors. His top contributors are:
- Bing Goei $25,000
- Aileen Antonio $250
- Senita Lenear $250
- Charissa Huang $200
- Bruce Neckers $200
Marshall Kilgore has raised a total of $13,135 from a total of 106 different contributors. Here are some of the top campaign donors:
- Climate Cabinet PAC – $2000
- Tina Kilgore – $1225
- Anthony Welch – $1000
- Kent County Democratic Party – $550
- Bob Johnson – $500
The top fundraising candidate for the seat in the 3rd Ward is John Krajewski. Krajewski has raised a total of $70,982.99. Like Dean Pacific in the 1st Ward race, Krajewski has received campaign money from members of the Grand Rapids Power Structure and numerous PACs. Here is a list of those large donors:
- Grand Rapids Police Officer’s Association PAC – $12,500
- Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce PAC – $12,500
- Grand Rapids Firefighters Union PAC – $2500
- Mark Bissell: CEO of Bissell – $1225
- John Brann: Owner of Brann’s – $1225
- Kevin Polakovich – $1,225
- Kristin Polakovich – $1,225
- Joan Secchia – $1,225
- Sidney Jansma JR: Wolverine Oil & Gas – $1,225
- Mark Murray – $1,225
- Daniel Hibma: Land & Co. – $1,225
- Sidney Jansma – $1,225
- Daniel Meyering: CEO Trillium Investments – $1,225
- Charlie Secchia: President of SIBSCO – $1,225
- Jeremy Scully: JL Rental Group – $1,225
- Lindsay Scully: RE/MAX of Grand Rapids – $1,225
- J.C. Huizenga: Huizenga Group – $1,225
- John Kennedy: CEO Autocam Medical – $1,225
- Nancy Kennedy – $1,225
- Michael Jandernoa: $1,225
- Sandra Brann – $1,225
- Thomas Brann – $1,225
- John Brann – $1,225
- Johnny Brann – $1,225
- Mary Krueger – $1,225
- Thomas Bylenga – $1,000
- Mark Mason: Pacific Source – $1.000
- Dan Bowen: Dempsey Ventures – $1,000
- Charlie Ferro – $1,000
It is interesting that the list of big donors that Krajewski has is very similar to the list for Dean Pacific in the 1st Ward. It is also worth noting that besides the $12,500 from the Grand Rapids Police Officer’s Association PAC to Pacific and Krajewski, they also received significant financial backing from the Brann family, which started the GRPD apologist group Voice for the Badge Thus, it is instructive to note that the Capitalist Class and the apologists for the GRPD want to influence the outcome of Grand Rapids politics and policy.
Grand Rapids Institute for Information Democracy 