Michigan Republican Party Youth Chair Race

The Race

The November election is still fresh in everyone's minds yet some in the party have already turned their attention towards the February 23rd State Convention.  While the premiere race for most Republicans in the state will be the one between current Michigan Republican Party Chairman Bobby Schostak and Kent County Republican Chairman Sam Moore, the race this blog will cover most prominently will be the Youth Vice-Chair race.

The Candidates

As of now only two candidates have actively pursued the position, though more could enter over the course of the next month.  Currently, the race looks as if it will be between Aquinas College Republican Chairman Blake Edmonds and Michigan Federation of College Republicans Co-Chair Matt Jones.  Both candidates have opened their campaigns with a mass email that was largely biographical but hardly substantive.  Neither Edmonds nor Jones are particularly well known statewide which is not necessarily a bad thing as in the past many of the Republican youth with reputations have had a history of very public altercations.  Jones' website (mattjonesyouthchair.com) is rather bare bones and is unfortunately missing any sort of plan or platform.  I would think most activists would question why someone would run for a Republican leadership position with no plan of action.  What is more troubling is Edmonds' website (blakeforchair.com) is STILL under construction.  He has sent two mass emails and still has yet to manage a functioning website.  

The Outlook

Neither candidate has a clear edge over the other and their work ethic and strategy remain unclear.  Rumors are already flying regarding Jones' future plans to attend law school, leaving him unable to properly attend to party matters, and Edmonds' lack of a resume of leadership.  Neither have been substantiated so we do not feel either claim will alter the race.  Edmonds having a strong connection to the Yob political machine, and Jones having no similar alliance leads us to give a slim advantage to the Aquinas College Republican Chairman.  

Candidates that could enter the race include: 

Eric Bassett (GVSU Chairman)

Charles Bogren (Fmr MFCR Chairman)
Andrea Bommarito (MSU College Republicans Chairman)

John Dalton (Schoolcraft College Republican Chairman)

Sonny Gast (Attorney General staffer)

Nathan Inks (Fmr CMU College Republican Chairman)

Brian Koziara (UofM Student)

Gus Portela (Fmr MFCR Chairman)