MI state election office.
Voter turnout in August tends to be rather apathetic, given that many folks are out of town or find the choices on the ballot to be unappealing. During a recent debate, the 32-year-old Grand Rapids Township resident said he’s “not running to be a rubber stamp,” but that he wants to work with the president to end “our wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.”Trump’s presence in the Republican primary is not surprising during a presidential election year. Meijer, Afendoulis and Norton have been the most active candidates.Afendoulis, 61, is seen as Meijer’s biggest challenger.The first-term state representative has touted her experience in the state Legislature, her prior career as a corporate communications executive at Universal Forest Products, and her history of involvement in community boards and organizations.She’s also crafted portions of her message around issues that resonate with grassroots Republicans and Trump’s base.During a recent debate hosted by the Grand Rapids Chamber, for example, she spoke about her desire to go “head to head with the AOCs of the world,” a reference to U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-NY, a progressive congresswoman who is a frequent target of Trump and fellow Republicans.Afendoulis also said her second most important policy priority is to “work on bringing law and order to our communities.”Her comment was in reference to the May 30 riot in downtown Grand Rapids following the police killing of George Floyd. Michigan's 3rd congressional district is a United States Congressional district in Western Michigan.From 2003 to 2013 it consisted of the counties of Barry, Ionia, and all except the northwest portion of Kent, including the city of Grand Rapids.The district was extended to Battle Creek after redistricting in 2012. Trump has made “law and order” part of his campaign message in response to rioting and racial unrest that has roiled the U.S. this summer.Meijer had a different tone when asked about the topic.During a debate hosted by WOOD-TV, he spoke about being “heartbroken” by the Grand Rapids riot and the need to “rebuild the social fabric that’s been fraying.”Sellek, the Republican strategist, said Meijer and Afendoulis’ responses to the riots and Black Lives Matter movement represent “a clear difference between the two in how they message.”“They’re still heading to the same place, which is let’s get Grand Rapids and West Michigan back on track after everything we’ve been through this year,” he said. We need to be single for a few years and find ourselves.”In another instance, she shared an image of the actors Christopher Walken and Gary Busey that read: “Walken-Busey 2016: Because if we’re going to elect bat**** crazy, let’s at least make it entertaining.”“Peter’s too busy talking to voters in all corners of the district to respond to rants on Facebook hitting our campaign with the same misleading attacks that others have peddled for over a year,” Sadlier said.Note to readers: if you purchase something through one of our affiliate links we may earn a commission.Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our © 2020 Advance Local Media LLC.