Pick Hirsch or Shoemaker in race for 72nd District State Rep.

My motto ever since launching this on-line rag has been, “I report what I see and hear. And sometimes I comment on it.”

With that in mind, the following is the first of a series of political endorsements or positions for the Aug. 2 primary election, which is only two weeks away:

The 72nd District, Michigan Legislature

The district includes Wayland, Leighton and Dorr townships and the City of Wayland in Allegan County, Gaines Township and the City of Kentwood in Kent County. Republican Ken Yonker has held the position since 2010, but must step down because he is term limited.

Five Republicans have filed in the derby to succeed Yonker, including Ryan Gallogly, Bill Hirsch, Steven Johnson, Tony Noto and Robert Coughlin. There are Democrats, Steve Shoemaker and Dick Cunningham.

Best of the customary bad lot of Republicans

On the Republican side, the same dilemma as almost always since the departure of Paul Hillegonds in 1994, is that there isn’t a dime’s worth of difference among ’em. They all have virtually the same positions on “the issues” —  God, guns, guts, gays and abortion.

Every one of the five is proud to state he is endorsed by Michigan Right to Life. All unequivocally support the Second Amendment, the right to bear arms. All are Pro-Family Values and humble, God-fearing churchgoers. All oppose same-sex marriages, but some might be more vocal about it than others.

There isn’t much information about what any of them would do about issues such as the Flint water crisis, the poor condition of Michigan’s roads, a state-wide fireworks law that an MLive Grand Rapids poll a year ago showed 66% would like to repeal it, and permitting motorcyclists to ride without helmets, despite data that shows a 23% increase this year in motorycle fatalities.

It isn’t a stretch to suggest that all five would do as they’re told by party bosses. Republican Party politicians for a long time have marched in lockstep. That helps keep that system in line in which all they have to do is win the first primary to become the incumbent for a six-year job at $80,000 per year with really nice benefits. The only incumbent who failed to serve all six years in these parts lately is Cindy Gamrat of Plainwell, who was removed by colleagues because of scandal.

Gallogly is probably the smartest and slickest of the GOP candidate field. I read some of his comments that too often dance around the question, such as Common Core, leaving it unanswered if it’s controversial.

Johnson is the zealot of the bunch. Don’t let the youthful appearance fool you, he’s served proudly in the military and attended Jerry Falwell’s Liberty University. He’s a loyal soldier for the Christian Right, though I wonder how he feels about atheist Ayn Rand, at whose altar so many right-wingers worship. Most disturbing about Johnson is his proud announcement of endorsement from quasi-Fascist, disgraced, racist, homophobic former State Rep. David Agema.

Noto and Coughlin seem to be without much traction. Noto’s support seems to be from family, friends and restaurant-goers. Coughlin has failed to show for the two candidate forums, not a good sign of his interest or lack thereof.

That leaves Bill Hirsch, who is blessed with a personality of the anti-politician. He’s run a low-key, low-budget campaign with a lot of “aw shucks” family, farm and home atmosphere, and he’s pledged to think about each issue as it comes and not necessarily march in lockstep with the GOP herd. I’ll believe it when I see it.

So, if you held a gun to my head and told me I must vote for a Republican to be the next state legislator, I’d choose Hirsch, seemingly the least of five evils.

Best of the Democrats in a 2-way race

It is unusual indeed to see more than one Democrat appear on the primary ballot in West Michigan. It is customary for the party to give the short straw to a sacrificial lamb and not give that candidate any money because it has a track record as a losing proposition.

Such seems to explain the candidacy of Dick Cunningham of Kentwood, whom nobody I know seems to have any information about and I haven’t seen nor heard anything from him.

This makes it easy to endorse favorite son Steve Shoemaker of Leighton Township, a political junkie I often have interesting discussions with at Leighton Township Board meetings. Shoemaker has been active in helping the Leighton Township Board with a variety of tasks, even though the board is all-GOP.

Shoemaker actually believes he has a chance to break the Republicans’ political stranglehold because of several factors: 1. Republicans have fallen out of favor of late because of disasters such as the Flint water crisis, poor road conditions, the fireworks law and thumbing their collective noses at state-wide voter ballot results, like the emergency manager.

2. The GOP managed to pass a law making it necessary for all voters to select their choice on each candidate and question, outlawing straight ticket voting. So it’s possible a Republican voter much more easily could cross over to the Democrat in some cases.

3. It appears that the GOP is in heavy turmoil over the standard bearer for the presidency, which might translate into fewer Republican votes as well.

4. It’s a presidential election year, which always brings out more voters, who may not be as predictable as in past years.

Shoemaker gets the nod here, almost by default.

UP NEXT: A serious examination of the 80th District race for State Representative. Don’t miss it!