Flint Township View

Supporting Trump should disqualify candidates from running


The November 2022 election will be truly historic for the Michigan Republican Party. At every level, Donald Trump is on the ballot.

Four of the five candidates seeking to run as the Republican candidate against incumbent Gretchen Whitmer have gone on record stating their belief that Donald Trump won in Michigan in 2020. The nominee will be selected in the Aug. 6 primary election.

The Republican Party has already chosen candidates Matthew DePerno for Michigan Attorney General and Kristina Karamo for Michigan Secretary of State. Both have been endorsed by Donald Trump.

The August 6 primary also features three Republicans vying for the opportunity to oppose incumbent Dan Kildee on the November ballot for 8th District Representative in the U S Congress. Candice Miller and Matthew Seely are both self-described Trump supporters. Seely has been endorsed by Mike Lindell. Paul Junge, the third candidate, prominently features his service in the Trump Administration in his promotional materials.

And closest to my home, three Republicans are running to represent Davison Township and surrounding areas comprising the newly-drawn 68th Michigan House District. They are: David Martin, the incumbent who won the seat in 2020 by 488 votes; Vern Miller, who displays a photo of himself with Mike Lindell on his website, and who says the reelecting the “establishment candidate” will “only result in more of the same – two more years of MISERY”; and Kristen Swanson, a self-described “proud Trump supporter and part of the MAGA movement!”

Some supporters of Donald Trump truly believe what he says, even though much of what he says is demonstrably false. Belief in untruths demonstrates faulty judgment, which should disqualify one from elective office.

Some supporters of Donald Trump do not believe what he says but cynically propagate his words for their own benefit. This demonstrates a lack of basic integrity, which also should disqualify one from elective office.

History will be made in these elections. We should all consider what the nature of that history will be as we plan to vote. — L. F. Standridge II, Davison