Media
‘Senate candidates pull no punches’
Posted on October 18, 2010
Each advocates maintaining public saftey, schools, promoting business
By: Monica Scott
The Grand Rapids Press: Saturday, October 16th, 2010
GRAND RAPIDS – David LaGrand, Democratic nominee for the 29th District Senate seat, came out swinging Friday against his opponent, Republican state Rep. Dave Hildenbrand, saying public safety and schools were cut on Hildenbrand’s watch.
With 17 days before the election, the Advocates for Senior Issues forum is likely the last time the candidates will face off in the tight race to replace the term-limited Sen. Bill Hardiman, R-Kentwood.
“In the last six years while Representative Hildenbrand has been in office, we’ve seen funding cuts to police, fire, roads and schools,” said LaGrand, an attorney, businessman and former Grand Rapids City Commissioner. “I am running to keep this area healthy.”
Hilden, of Lowell, drew applause from some of the 170 present at Meijer Gardens, when he said the tone taken was “unfortunate” but he would stick to the issues. He said LaGrand was “taking things out of context” and manipulating his record.
“I have always argued and advocated for the priorities important to me, such as police and fire and education,” said Hildenbrand, who is term-limited in his House seat. “Public education (per-pupil finding) had only been cut once in the last six years, and public safety could have been cut worse were it not for me and my colleagues.”
LaGrand told the crowd he has done good government as a city commissioner, and, right now, “Lansing is a mess.” He said Hildenbrand has had the chance the past six years to make the changes he advocates.
“He hasn’t done it,” said LaGrand, who co-owns the Wealthy Street Bakery and The Winchester restaurant. “I have a track record of creating jobs.”
Hildenbrand pointed out the state has faced unprecedented economic challenges and his party has been in the minority.
“The best thing we can do for this state, for people young and old, is to create opportunities in the private sector,” Hildenbrand said.
“I want to strengthen the economy, control spending and reform government, so we are doing things smarter and wiser.”
LaGrand said what would be smart is to do as Gov. Jennifer Granholm has advocated and invest $25 million of a $100 million in tax surplus to restore the Pure Michigan advertising campaign.
“Dave Hildenbrand said we should stick the money in a mattress,” LaGrand said.
Calling that comment another mischaracterization, Hildenbrand said his point about “save it, don’t spend it,” was that the first reaction to having excess funds should not be to dole them out.
“I have nothing against the Pure Michigan campaign because we out to want to promote the state,” he said. “But there hasn’t been any discussion about other state needs yet.”
Hildenbrand launched his first commercial this week. The PAC, the Coalition for Progress, began running ads in support of LaGrand last month.
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Grand Rapids Press Endorsement
Posted on July 28, 2010
This morning, The Grand Rapids Press endorsed David in the August 3rd Democratic Primary, writing “On the Democratic side, Mr. LaGrand has three qualifications that would serve the district well in Lansing: A knowledge of local government from his time on the City Commission, experience as an attorney — including time as …an assistant prosecutor — and an understanding of the needs and concerns of small business born of his co-ownership of the Wealthy Street Bakery. Mr. LaGrand would be an independent voice within the Democratic caucus, ready to apply creative solutions to the state’s problems.”
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Democrat David LaGrand officially files to run for 29th District Senate seat
Posted on April 28, 2010
By The Grand Rapids Press staff
April 28, 2010, 8:31PM
GRAND RAPIDS — Democrat David LaGrand officially has filed to run for the 29th District Senate seat.
“The generosity of the 235 donors enables me to spread my message of reform, job creation and protecting families throughout the 29th District,” said LaGrand, an attorney and co-owner of Wealthy Street Bakery.
As of Tuesday, the campaign had raised $100,000, of which LaGrand contributed $11,000. In January, LaGrand resigned from the City Commission to run for the seat.
So far, only LaGrand’s primary opponent, Rep. Robert Dean, D-Grand Rapids and Republican Rep. Dave Hildenbrand, R-Lowell, have filed with the state. The deadline is May 11. Dean has raised $33,000, contributing $20,000 of his own funds, according to Noah Seifullah, his campaign manager.
“People underestimate the power of incumbency and the other factors in campaigning besides money,” Seifullah said. “The campaign is going really well.”
Hildenbrand also said his campaign “is going very well” with $180,000 in the coffers, including $130,000 from his House campaign account. He said most of the other $50,000 was from a March fundraiser.
Republican Lori Wiersma of Grand Rapids kicked off her campaign in March. Matt Sowash, her campaign manager, said things are going well with 100 donors helping her raise more than $20,000. He said she’s contributed $1,500 of her own money.
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