Thursday October 28th, 2010

In Justin Amash's latest attempt to solidify his base, he plans to appear with Congressman Vern Ehlers in a campaign event this afternoon. The Pat Miles campaign compiled an informative history of Vern Ehlers' comments regarding Justin's candidacy, and Justin's comments regarding Vern Ehlers.

Miles campaign spokesperson Amy Fetherolf said, "As more and more Republicans, including three former Kent County Republican Party Chairs, former State Representatives Mike Pumford and Vic Krause, Marla Ehlers, Heidi Ehlers Rienstra, and Karen Henry Stokes, line up behind Pat Miles, it is no surprise that Justin is calling on the Republican establishment to reassure their ranks. So many Republican party leaders have come forward to endorse Pat Miles because they feel that Justin Amash is dangerously out of touch with the moderate values of the 3rd Congressional District, and they know that Pat Miles is the only candidate in the race who is offering concrete solutions to create jobs in West Michigan."


February 9, 2010: Justin Amash announces primary challenge to U.S. Representative Vern Ehlers.

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February 9, 2010, Politico:

Amash suggested "in a veiled manner that Ehlers had lost touch with the district."

'"It's important to have a person in Congress in touch with the community on a regular basis," Amash said.'

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May 1, 2010, Grand Rapids Press:

Outgoing U.S. Rep. Vern Ehlers insists he is not endorsing in the Republican primary to replace him, but he made it clear there are two — and only two — candidates who interest him. Asked for his take on the field during a taping of WGVU’s West Michigan Week on Friday, Ehlers said there are “a couple very good candidates” he could support.

He then listed reasons why he likes Steve Heacock, a former Kent County board chair and administrator at the Van Andel Institute, and state Sen. Bill Hardiman.

Not acknowledged: the first candidate in the race, state Rep. Justin Amash. Pressed on that, Ehlers demurred. “It’s a great choice for the public with those two.”

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June 6, 2010, Grand Rapids Press:

"Heacock and state Sen. Bill Hardiman are the only candidates with enough experience to step into the job immediately, Ehlers said."

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June 22, 2010, AP:

And state Rep. Justin Amash says he wouldn't expect Ehlers to endorse a candidacy like his that's "committed to less spending, limited government and free markets."

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June 22, 2010: Facebook post by Justin Amash:

"I was pleased to learn that Rep. Ehlers endorsed Mr. Heacock on the same day the public learned that Mr. Heacock plagiarized most of the issues on his website. Everyone sees it for what it is. In fact, I promoted the endorsement on Facebook."

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October 8, 2010: The Grand Rapids Press:

"It is not my judgment to make," Ehlers said of whether Amash is too far right for some voters. "That's the people's judgment."