Republican gubernatorial candidate Snyder taps State Rep. Brian Calley for running mate


State politics have been abuzz with Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick Snyder’s recent tap for a running mate.

On Wednesday, the Ann Arbor businessman brought his choice to light and the man behind the mask just happens to be a state Senate candidate for the 33rd district, which includes Mount Pleasant.

State Rep. Brian Calley, R-Portland, won August’s Republican primary to fill Sen. Alan Cropsey’s seat. Lawrence Sych, associate professor of political science at Central Michigan University, found Calley’s selection to be surprising given the advantage he had in the 33rd district Senate race.

“I’m surprised that Calley took it, because the odds are he was going to get elected to the Senate,” Sych said. “It’s a largely Republican area.”

It is unknown if the runner-up from August’s primary, Michael Trebesh, will replace Calley in November’s election. A meeting will be set by the Michigan Republican Party to determine his replacement if Calley accepts the nomination.

The meeting will involve the party and the heads of each county’s Republican executive committee.

Calley provides a bit of experience to Snyder’s campaign, something Sych said was lacking. Calley, a former banker in Ionia County, has been a state representative since 2006 and served on the Ionia County Board of Commissioners from 2002 to 2006.

John Porter, vice chairman of College Republicans and a Coleman sophomore, said he feels Calley’s background in banking will be key in turning around Michigan’s economy.

“I think it’s a great choice,” Porter said. “I know he’s been involved in a lot of the economic development in where he’s from. It’s all about getting Michigan back on track economically.”

Porter said he thinks Calley’s experience in the state legislature should not play a large role because, if Snyder wants experience, he can hire experienced people for other positions.

College Democrats President Brad O’Donnell said Calley will help Snyder with his support from the right wing.

“There’s a perception that Democrats elected Rick Snyder in the primary,” the Clinton Township senior said. “I think it’s interesting that Rick Snyder decided to pick a politician after railing against them for months and months and months.”

Calley, 33, was picked over other candidates like state Sen. Jason Allen, who cannot re-run for his position because of term limits. Allen is also campaigning for the first district U.S. Congress seat, after current U.S. Rep. Bart Stupak retires.

Sych said the job could kickstart Calley’s career.

“This will give him kind of a fast track to the governor’s job,” he said.

Sych, Porter and O’Donnell all agreed whoever takes over Calley’s position in the 33rd district race should still have a sizable advantage over the field.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Virg Bernero is still exploring options for his lieutenant governor running mate.

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