ACHTUNG: This is not a “fair and balanced” story. It is an editorial by the editor.

I’m sick and tired of the modern Republican Party’s insistence that everybody march in lockstep together on the issues. Though the GOP was characterized by Colin Powell 20 years ago as having a big tent, it has since shown time and time again its intolerance for differing viewpoints.

This is just a warmup for the reasons I support the candidacy of Jennifer Antel for state representative in the 72nd District. I expect the likes of Ranger Rick, Free Market Man and “Don’t Tread on Me” to trot out accusations that she’s a Remocract, a Republican in Name Only (RINO).

Indeed, Antel doesn’t appear to be 100% in line with the Republican talking points on the environment and human rights. She is Pro-Life as a lifelong Catholic, but probably not as rabidly as party bosses insist.

It wasn’t so long ago that Gerald Ford was a Republican, yet he was adamantly Pro-Choice. It wasn’t that long ago that GOP State Rep. Paul Hillegonds, co-speaker of the Michigan House, was deeply concerned about environmental issues.

But now I’m seeing too much of a Republican Party that insists all its candidates walk, walk and think alike to the point it’s really difficult to tell them apart when they run against each other in a primary. Good examples are Bob Genetski vs. Aric Nesbitt and John James vs. Sandy Penslar.

Now comes Jennifer Antel, a member of the Wayland City Council for the last 13 years, mayor pro tem for the last nine, a public servant in Otsego and Kalamazoo city government, teacher, coach and owner of a master’s degree in public administration. She has been an effective and sometimes controversial city council member. There have been times I haven’t liked what she said or did. But when I add up the score, she always seems to come out on the positive side.

Credence Clearwater Revival might have applied their classic song “Fortunate Son” to current State Rep. Steve Johnson, who received just 29.3% of the total vote in the GOP primary in 2016, but according to the wrong-headed primary election rules (victory by plurality rather than majority) and the one-party system that prevails in West Michigan, he was elected and has set his sights on spending six years in Lansing.

I cannot think of one piece of legislation he has introduced or shepherded through the State Legislature that has benefitted the good folks of the 72nd District, which takes in the cities of Wayland and Kentwood and townships of Wayland, Dorr, Leighton and Gaines.

Johnson has spoken with puffed pride about his Christian conservatism, which I believe will help him avoid solving any problems in Lansing if he is returned for another term. Though he has been endorsed by President Donald Trump, he was reported two years ago to have said he was looking to support a minor party or independent candidate for president because “I only support candidates who will follow the Constitution and unfortunately neither Hillary Clinton nor Donald Trump will follow the Constitution.”

Add to this the unpleasant fact that Johnson was the only member of the State Legislature to vote against a federal grant to help the people of Flint with their water crisis, which wasn’t their fault. Johnson explained the problem wasn’t the federal government’s. Using his logic, any small town or city that becomes a victim of catastrophe is on its own.

In other words, he believes government does not exist to help those who cannot help themselves. So then why does government exist?

The choice in this race is clear. Jennifer Antel is likely to do the research, do some thinking on her own rather than do as she’s told and perhaps accomplish something of value for the citizens of this district by working with rather than against people with whom she disagrees. And what a refreshing change that will be! Choose Antel.