2008 Woodie Awards
Lennox runs for vacated state post
By: Maria Spicketts
Issue date: 3/28/08 Section: News
Dennis Lennox II is campaigning for a seat in the Michigan House of Representatives.
The Topinabee junior announced Tuesday he is running for the seat vacated by Rep. Kevin Elsenheimer, R-Bellaire, who is retiring in favor of running for the 4th District Court of Appeals. Elsenhiemer currently is Assistant House minority leader.
House District 105 is composed of Antrim, Charlevoix and Otsego counties, as well as part of Cheboygan County.
Elsenhiemer said anyone has a shot at winning in politics.
"I can't imagine anyone counting Dennis out," Elsenhiemer said. "There are several young people I serve with in the Michigan legislature."
Lennox, according to the Michigan Secretary of State's Web site, has not yet filed the papers necessary to run. He is planning on making an official announcement early next week.
The only candidate who has filed in House District 105 is Charlevoix resident and former Charlevoix County Commissioner Connie Saltonstall.
Lennox decided to run after hearing Elsenhiemer is retiring.
"(I decided) that's an opportunity I've got to consider," Lennox said. "I believe in northern Michigan and it's important to have a conservative voice in Michigan."
Lennox said he was encouraged by friends, colleagues and other political supporters to run.
Lennox previously has campaigned for county commissioner. He is an alternate delegate to the Republican Convention.
"I'm not your average college student," Lennox said. "Frankly, I have a lot of accomplishments."
Lennox said he formerly worked for President George W. Bush and U.S. Rep. Dave Camp.
Lennox is not the first CMU student to run for State Representative. Mount Pleasant graduate student Eric Welsby ran for the seat currently occupied by Rep. Bill Caul, R-Mount Pleasant, as a Democrat.
"What I found is there are a lot of people who were at first, 'Does a young person really know what's going on?'," Welsby said. "People who were skeptical at first came around. You've got to get out there and talk and make sure you're not just some ... 'punk kid.' That earns you a lot of respect when you go out and articulate your issues."
Lennox has started a Web site to help his campaign, dennisfornorthernmichigan.com. He said he has a strong candidacy and will release a list of endorsements next week.
"I've received a tremendous amount of support," he said.
news@cm-life.com
The Topinabee junior announced Tuesday he is running for the seat vacated by Rep. Kevin Elsenheimer, R-Bellaire, who is retiring in favor of running for the 4th District Court of Appeals. Elsenhiemer currently is Assistant House minority leader.
House District 105 is composed of Antrim, Charlevoix and Otsego counties, as well as part of Cheboygan County.
Elsenhiemer said anyone has a shot at winning in politics.
"I can't imagine anyone counting Dennis out," Elsenhiemer said. "There are several young people I serve with in the Michigan legislature."
Lennox, according to the Michigan Secretary of State's Web site, has not yet filed the papers necessary to run. He is planning on making an official announcement early next week.
The only candidate who has filed in House District 105 is Charlevoix resident and former Charlevoix County Commissioner Connie Saltonstall.
Lennox decided to run after hearing Elsenhiemer is retiring.
"(I decided) that's an opportunity I've got to consider," Lennox said. "I believe in northern Michigan and it's important to have a conservative voice in Michigan."
Lennox said he was encouraged by friends, colleagues and other political supporters to run.
Lennox previously has campaigned for county commissioner. He is an alternate delegate to the Republican Convention.
"I'm not your average college student," Lennox said. "Frankly, I have a lot of accomplishments."
Lennox said he formerly worked for President George W. Bush and U.S. Rep. Dave Camp.
Lennox is not the first CMU student to run for State Representative. Mount Pleasant graduate student Eric Welsby ran for the seat currently occupied by Rep. Bill Caul, R-Mount Pleasant, as a Democrat.
"What I found is there are a lot of people who were at first, 'Does a young person really know what's going on?'," Welsby said. "People who were skeptical at first came around. You've got to get out there and talk and make sure you're not just some ... 'punk kid.' That earns you a lot of respect when you go out and articulate your issues."
Lennox has started a Web site to help his campaign, dennisfornorthernmichigan.com. He said he has a strong candidacy and will release a list of endorsements next week.
"I've received a tremendous amount of support," he said.
news@cm-life.com
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 35
Fact Checker
posted 3/28/08 @ 1:32 AM EST
Lennox claims that he has done a lot more than he actually has. He's just looking for attention and this is his latest stunt to fulfill that need for attention. (Continued…)
Daulton Williams
posted 3/28/08 @ 2:01 AM EST
www.dennisfornorthernmichigan.com
Mike
posted 3/28/08 @ 5:41 AM EST
Normally I would comment on how it is good to see young people getting involved, but here I have to ask the obvious question. If Gary Peters shouldn't be at CMU while running, does this mean Lennox will drop out of CMU to campaign? We could only be so lucky if Lennox finally didn't show us his true stripes as a hypocrite. (Continued…)
chipskeptic
posted 3/28/08 @ 3:38 PM EST
Hey Mike,
I do not know Dennis, never met him, but....Gary Peters is getting paid by the university, Dennis is paying the university. Big difference. (Continued…)
OneWhoKnows
posted 3/28/08 @ 4:50 PM EST
Gary Peters has been soliciting CMU employees and officials for contributions in support of his campaign for office. I wonder if Mr. Lennox will do the same. (Continued…)
Daulton Williams
posted 3/28/08 @ 7:56 PM EST
I can't believe the stupidity in some of these comments. The DIFFERENCE is that if Lennox is elected, he won't continue to be a student. Peters has said that he will continue to be a professor, even after being elected, and that begs the question: To whom will Peters' "primary committment" go, his students, or his constituents. (Continued…)
Mike
posted 3/29/08 @ 12:15 AM EST
Lennox is a TOOL!
Rob Hayes
posted 3/29/08 @ 2:53 AM EST
I can't believe CM Life keeps running stories on this kid. He's a partisan hack that probably clips out his name whenever he sees it in the paper and sticks it to his mommy's refrigerator. (Continued…)
Reader
posted 3/29/08 @ 6:17 AM EST
I suspect Lennox will actually decide between CMU and the legislature. Peters clearly won't. Also I think it's clear Lennox must actually like CMU considering he still attends the school despite all the trouble they have given him. (Continued…)
michmediaperson
posted 3/29/08 @ 1:27 PM EST
Dennis would be a tremendous watchdog in Lansing for the taxpayers. He obviously knows where the waste is in higher education.
In fact, if he is elected, he needs to beg the Republican Leader to place him on the Higher Education Committee. (Continued…)
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