January 2008 Field Report -
Southeast Michigan
By: Tony Daunt – Southeast Michigan Field Director
Election 2008
Didn’t we just have an election? That’s a common question among the voting public and it’s an understandable one. It’s been a mere 14 months since the state re-elected all four of it’s constitutionally mandated statewide officers (governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state and attorney general), one United States senator, 38 state senators and 110 state representatives. And in today’s political environment, it seems as though every one of them started running for re-election or for their next job almost immediately. For example, the presidential campaign, currently in the midst of one of the most exciting and wide-open primary seasons in recent American history, has been in full swing since at least early 2007. Even political “junkies” like me think it’s too much and so the frustrations felt by all the normal folks out there are completely understandable.
Thankfully, in this presidential election year, the campaign action at the state level is much quieter than it was in 2006, though no less important. Of the positions listed in the first paragraph, we are only dealing with the election of all 110 state house members and our other US Senator (Carl Levin-D) along with a crucial re-election effort by Chief Justice Clifford Taylor to the Michigan Supreme Court. As you know, the interview and endorsement process for the two latter offices will be handled at the state or national level by your duly appointed RPAC Trustees, but the process for each seat in the Michigan House of Representatives is up to the local associations. I have made it a priority this year to meet with the leadership teams in each of my local groups to let them know what to expect out of this process that I will now share with you in this column.
Due to Michigan’s constitutional term limits, roughly one-third of the state house members are banned from seeking another term each election year. This leads to some pretty hotly contested seats, especially in the primary election in districts that are considered “safe” for one party. Many seats in west Michigan are heavily stacked with candidates in the Republican primary and the same can be said about the Democratic primaries in Detroit and other urban areas of the state. This is why MAR encourages local associations to interview and endorse candidates during the primary season, especially in these areas.
How The Process Works
The filing deadline for candidates wishing to run for the state house is always a Tuesday in mid-May. This year the date is Tuesday, May 13th. Candidates then have three days to decide if they would like to withdraw their name. Often times this happens when people file and then realize that their chances of winning are quite slim based on who the other candidates are or after spending several months trying, unsuccessfully, to raise money . Shortly after these deadlines have passed, I will work with your leadership to mail each of the candidates a letter inviting them to an interview with the candidate selection committee, which is established based on the prerogatives of each local association. Several factors are then weighed, including their voting record (if they are an incumbent seeking re-election), their overall philosophy on the role of government in real estate related matters, willingness to work with us on important policy issues, and the general likelihood of them being elected in November.
The selection committees then make their recommendations of who to support and how much RPAC money to contribute to their campaigns. These recommendations are forwarded to the local board of directors, who, after approving or rejecting the committees’ choices, send them off to the state RPAC Trustees for consideration and disbursement of funds. Most of the time, the endorsements carry through to the general election and a second interview is not needed. However, on the somewhat rare occasions when a local association picks a candidate who loses in the primary, they are encouraged to meet with the winner and find common ground for support in the general election. And that, ladies and gentlemen, is how the process works. I look forward to working with each of my local associations to ensure a smooth and painless election season.
Field Staff Office Visits
We are lucky to have such a capable staff of lobbyists and advocates working on our behalf in Lansing. As your area MAR representative, it is my responsibility to work with these individuals to keep you informed so that you are aware of what your state Legislature is doing for (or, in some cases, to) you.
Having said all that, the best way to share the latest news with the largest number of area REALTORS® is to attend your weekly sales meetings and get it in person. I am willing and able to travel to any office, at any time, on any day of the week. If you are a broker or an office manager, please take this offer to heart and call me up. My number is: 517-812-4134. If you’re a sales agent, mention this to your broker and get them to bring me in.
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January 2008
Field Report
• Field Report
Tony represents:
• Ann Arbor Area
• Dearborn
• Detroit
• CBOR
• Down River
• Grosse Pointe
• Lenawee County
• Livingston County
• MCAR
• Monroe County
• North Oakland County
• Western Wayne Oakland County
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