LANSING – With Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick Snyder consistently hammering Democratic opponent Virg Bernero in polls, the Republican Party is looking for his win in the governor’s race to help it take back control of the House, pad its majority in the Senate and sweep competitive races in the U.S. House, said Republican Party Chair Ron Weiser.

Democrats will surely win some of the 29 open Senate seats and 52 open House seats, but Weiser said Snyder’s popularity and strong voter frustration with the current administration will help secure votes for the GOP up and down the ticket.

Voters who are energized by Snyder’s plans will want to vote for lawmakers who can help carry out his agenda, Weiser said in an interview, adding that he “expects (Republicans) to win the House back.

“I don’t like to predict, but people are dissatisfied with the governor and want change, and that gives all Republicans a chance to win,” he said, reiterating that while he is confident, he isn’t “taking anything for granted” and continues to work hard to secure wins.

As for how fundraising efforts are going, namely if speculation is true that the party plans to infuse about $30 million into campaigns, Weiser wouldn’t comment on specifics. Whatever the number, the party has blitzed Democrats with a massive negative mail campaign that in some cases has turned what were competitive contests into races the Democrats have given up.

However, Weiser did disagree with Democratic Party Chair Mark Brewer’s statement in a previous edition of Gongwer News Service that Democrats “are always outspent,” especially now with the national Republican Party contributing a large chunk to state races, by the GOP.

“The money that has been spent by Democrats for years has come from unions and we don’t know how much money that is,” said Weiser. “How is it unfair that we also use money to educate voters?

And, in fact, in 2006 and 2008, the liberal Kalamazoo billionaire, John Stryker, opened up his wallet to overwhelm Republicans with ads from his Coalition for Progress political action committee boosting Democratic candidates and attacking GOP ones. This year, Stryker seems mostly on the sidelines.

“It’s our job to make sure we have money and spend it effectively,” Weiser said, adding that Snyder has helped promote the party as a cause that excites people and makes them contribute.

Weiser said the tables have turned on Democrats since the presidential election when the buzzword “change” helped President Barrack Obama get elected.

“Then the (anti-incumbent) mood was more focused on national politics, but people are more dissatisfied now with our governor than Washington,” he said.

But it’s not simply an anti-Democrat stance that will win Snyder the election, he said; it’s the message that the candidate is not a “career politician,” but a businessman with a plan to turn the economy around.

Weiser said the idea that business skills can translate into success in politics rings true for him, since he also began as chair of the party with a business background, which he has used to develop what he hopes is a winning strategy for Republicans.

The excitement Snyder has generated not only money, but also a surprising amount of enthusiasm from voters, he said, adding that the party has had an unprecedented number of volunteers working for the party and a record-breaking 5,000 attendees at this year’s Republican convention.

Asked if he’s concerned that Snyder’s more moderate stance on some social issues could cost him votes from the Republican base, Weiser replied: “I don’t know what moderate is.

“Rick’s a business guy who’s got a plan,” he said. “People right now care the most about jobs and the economy.”

On the topic of whether Snyder’s lack of political experience could affect his ability to work with a new crop of lawmakers, GOP led or not, Weiser said he is confident Lt. Governor candidate Rep. Brian Calley (R-Portland) can show his boss the ropes.

“Selecting Calley was a terrific pick and will help provide guidance to the new administration,” he said, adding that Calley has already started filling Snyder in on the legislative process.

This story was provided by Gongwer News Service. To subscribe, click on Gongwer.Com

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