Finley: Rick Snyder is in the House

The left-wing policy making madness in Lansing is on a temporary hiatus thanks to the departure of two Democratic House members who left for other elected jobs.

For now, the chamber is temporarily deadlocked with a 54-54 partisan make-up.

But after special elections in April, Democrats will likely regain their governing monopoly in the Legislature, with nothing to check their progression toward making Michigan a union label welfare state except the fear of facing voters in November.

Without a governor or state senators on the ballot this fall, voters will have no one to punish for the conversion of Michigan into California-lite except for Democratic House members. Particularly vulnerable will be those Democrats who campaigned as moderates and legislated like Bernie Sanders.

It should be a golden opportunity for Republicans, except for the reality that their state party is in shambles.

That's where former Gov. Rick Snyder is stepping in to make sure this isn't an opportunity lost. He's leading the push for the GOP to regain the House majority it lost in 2022, and he says he's encouraged.

"Fundraising is going quite well, particularly for a party in the minority," Snyder says. "Many people who had become disillusioned with the Republican Party are coming back to support House candidates."

Snyder, his old friend William Parfet and other wealthy, traditional Republicans are serving as a surrogate state party to support House candidates.

The Michigan House Republican Campaign Committee, which Snyder is assisting, raised $4.3 million in 2023, $1.1 million more than when it had a majority in the chamber.

House Republican leader Matt Hall says they are raising funds on pace with Democrats and have $600,000 more on hand.

Working with the campaign committee, the Snyder team is also helping with candidate recruitment.

"A lot of good people are coming forward to be candidates," Snyder says.

The team has identified a dozen vulnerable incumbent Democrats, and Hall says their hope is the new Legislature will seat at least a 57-53 Republican majority.

He sees an advantage in the state party's disarray.

"When you have a state party, a lot of the decisions on finances and strategy are made by other people," Hall says. "In this case, we control our own destiny. We can raise money without a lot of competition. Everyone is rallying around the House."

The money Snyder is raising will allow Republicans to start campaigning earlier, and hopefully avoid divisive primaries.

Hall says the Republican caucus met with former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich, who advised them on messaging.

"He told us to focus on ideas that 70% of the population support," Hall says. "Focus on big issues and don't get distracted. Set some big policy goals that unite us and shelve those that divide us."

Policies are what the fight is all about, Snyder says.

"People are looking at the policies Democrats have passed over the past year and see they are pushing Michigan in the wrong direction," he says. "The state is shrinking; the business climate is not good."

"It's heartbreaking to see. We need to do something to stabilize. The first step is winning the House back. That’s where I’m spending my energy this election cycle. I'm staying out of all other politics. Let’s win the House."

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