It’s a ‘who’s who’ of politics and business on Mackinac Island this week for the Detroit Regional Chamber Mackinac Policy Conference.
Speakers from across the country will be holding sessions for business leaders and politicians on how Michigan can focus itself as a leader in technology, energy and sports, and thus building the economy.
All those speakers, sessions, roundtables all lead up to the premier event on Thursday, a debate among the remaining Republican candidates for governor. Well, most of them.
Last Saturday, 9&10 News had the entire field for a debate following a turbulent week for the race. The next two months will be very different.
“You won’t be able to buy this election,” said candidate Garrett Soldano.
The State Board of Elections found 68,000 petitions were found to be fraudulent, paid collectors forged signatures. The Board of Canvassers split on votes allowing the flagged campaigns on the ballot, so five of the ten candidates were taken out of the race.
It’s a whole new race.
“If you can’t fill out the paperwork properly, how will you be able to manage a $78.2 billion a year budget?” asked Kevin Rinke, a candidate.
“That’s what we have to do, vet these candidates and anybody getting support from the old guard, establishment, we have to be concerned about,” said Soldano.
The candidates kicked out are appealing the decisions but the clock is ticking and the remaining candidates are staying true to their platform.
“It’s a restart for our group but it’s not a restart for the message,” said Ralph Rebandt, one of the candidates.
“We want to see the state as prosperous and moving forward,” said Tudor Dixon, “Bring the American Dream back to the state so it hasn’t changed anything for us.”
These four candidates will be on the debate stage on the island. One that won’t is Ryan Kelley as he boycotts the event and their COVID policies while polls show he saw the biggest bump so far from the shake up.
“That’s very encouraging,” said Kelley, “But that’s just reason to work ten times harder to get the message out around the state.”
The primary election is on August 2nd, as long as the ongoing appeals don’t force a delay. A decision must come by Friday.
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