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| Yanez |
I had assumed this was common knowledge in political circles but …
State Rep. Jon Switalski is running against fellow Warren Democratic Rep. Lesia Liss, due to the effects of redistricting, and Henry Yanez is running for Switalski’s seat rather than seeking a rematch against U.S. Rep. Candice Miller.
When I talked to Miller this morning, she was unaware that Yanez was out of the 10th Congressional District race.
He had already spent months in 2011 raising funds and putting together a rudimentary congressional campaign team.
A Sterling Heights Democrat, Yanez made his decision to run for state House very quietly about a month ago, and word slowly spread. As a firefighter and union official in the Sterling Heights Fire Department, Yanez has been unable to secure the endorsement of his own union. As a result, he was apparently urged to switch political gears by some of his colleagues.
The district Switalski will leave, and Yanez will pursue, consists of north Warren and southern Sterling Heights.
The new lines drawn by House Republican leadership pushed Switalski, a former county commissioner, into Liss’ south Warren district. But, since the line practically passes outside the back door of Switalski’s condo, many political observers assumed he would move very slightly to a new household to avoid a primary fight and stay within his current territory.
But Switalski has stayed put.
He told me recently that he believes Liss is “too conservative” for the south Warren area, which is growing increasingly diverse due to an influx of Detroit residents and immigrants.
Liss was a co-founder of the House freshmen bipartisan caucus and has repeatedly emphasized the need for pragmatism and cooperation in the Legislature. But she’s no conservative. In 2012, the House has no conservative Democrats — or liberal Republicans – not even close.
Meanwhile, Switalski has been working hard on certain proposals and bills, hoping to stand out as one of the most active and forceful members of the opposition party.
Liss has been relatively quiet, though she put out a press release this morning promoting the House Democrats’ new ethics and reform package (she’s a co-sponsor). Switalski is also expected to play a role in shaping that legislative package but Liss beat him to the punch, putting out a statement that said:
“These reforms will bring greater transparency to government and ensure that Michigan residents have representation that is fair, ethical and accountable. Once enacted, these laws will put barriers between corporations and government, making clear that our priority is to serve our people. Citizens of this state deserve no less. I will be working hard to make sure that these ethics rules and government reforms become law.”
One small caveat: There is no way the Republicans will allow the legislation to pass.
*****
Shortly after I put this post up, Yanez contacted me with this information:”Just to set the record straight. 1. True, my international union did not endorse me, which either tells you something about me,my union or the state of the political system. I always had the support of the rank and file. 2. I fully committed to this decision on January 23. Not a month ago. 3. Rudimentary? I prefer grassroots.”
