(Source: MIRS.news, Published 12/12/2023) (GRAND RAPIDS) – Six of the nine originally scheduled Republican U.S. Senate candidates took to the podium at Oakhill Evangelical Presbyterian Church for a debate moderated by Kent County Prosecutor Christopher Becker, WOOD Radio’s West Michigan Live host Justin Barkley and GOP Chair Kristina Karamo.
The Republican U.S. Senate field has swelled to 11 candidates, but only Michael Hoover, Board of Education member Nikki Snyder, Dr. Sherry O’Donnell, Sharon Savage, Alexandria Taylor and J.D. Wilson came out for the event, which was put on by Stand Up Kent County.
Despite a promise from panelists that they would be asking tough questions, candidates did less of debating each other and more repeated recitation of their rallying cries.
Their priority focuses may be different. Their stances on most issues, however, were not.
The event gave off the vibe of a rally. Candidates walking down the aisle to the stage behind their campaign signs and attendees loudly cheering for their favorite. O’Donnell brought out the largest crowd, with supporters wearing t-shirts calling her “the cure for Michigan.”
Before the event and outside its walls, it felt a little more like a church fundraiser, with cookie sales and a donation bowl passed around to fund refreshments and potential candidate travel expenses.
One announcement asked attendees to “please pray for Ryan Kelley,” though it was added that he didn’t want visitors or letters at this time. Kelley, a former gubernatorial candidate, was sentenced to 60 days in prison for his role in the Jan. 6, 2021 riot.
Rep. Neil Friske (R-Charlevoix) was in attendance. He donated pies and cider for the event.
Snyder was the candidate seen making the most rounds ahead of the debate, shaking hands and offering to answer questions afterward.
Once the debate got underway, the topics included immigration and border security, education reform, the World Economic Forum and the age-old question of, “Why should we trust you?” The first half of the questions were asked by Karamo and Barkley, with the second portion coming from the audience and livestream.
Subjects like abortion were unanimously agreed upon, but other topics, like the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, resulted in slight variation.
While Hoover agreed with other candidates that Israel’s initial retaliation after an attack by Hamas was warranted, he said the ongoing conflict won’t end productively.
The U.S. needs to start being a power broker, and not a war manager, he added.
The only topic that really showcased differences between all six candidates, however, was that of fundraising.
When asked who can raise the $10 million needed to win a U.S. Senate race, Hoover said he’s been given assurances that if he wins the primary, he will have the money.
Snyder also said she was confident in her fundraising efforts.
Others, like O’Donnell, Taylor and Wilson, talked about grassroots efforts, and pinned their hopes on attendees to donate and provide support.
Savage, after asking to have the $10 million question repeated, said, “I guess it’s not going to be me.”
She said she has not yet raised anything, reasoning that she’s a lesser known candidate.
A common theme among candidates in attendance was a departure from career politics. Savage and Wilson both mentioned at one point or another that they are not career politicians.
Savage said she has no intention of serving longer than six years, while Wilson called himself the “new guy on the block” and analogized his campaign to being “swept up.
“I tried to jump out of the boat twice, and Jesus himself said, ‘you have to stay in this boat,’” he said.
The only candidates who were criticized were those not in attendance, specifically Mike Rogers and Peter Meijer, both former congressmen.
Both appeared on the printed program and event announcement, but were not in attendance. Meijer reportedly canceled via Scott Greenlee less than 24 hours ago, according to an announcement before the debate commenced, which earned him grumblings from the crowd. Rogers was also called to the stage during introductions, but it was then confirmed that he was not in attendance.
Former Detroit Police Chief James Craig was also not in attendance, but was not mentioned during the program. Recently announced candidate Sandy Pensler was called inaccessible, and did not make the stage.
Other debate highlights included:
- Savage said at one point she wants out of the United Nations (UN). “I do not want to be told what to do,” she said.
- Wilson focused a good deal of his time on a plan to restore true and objective journalism, which he said could be defined and improved through legislation.
- When asked about his stance on shutting down the IRS, Wilson replied, “Sure,” going on to elaborate that major reform is needed.
