Dear Friends,

Thank you all for your support during the campaign. For the last three months our campaign has argued that Michigan needs to make transformational changes to remain the dynamic, prosperous state that it was last century. The first step in turning Michigan around, is believing that it can be done. I do not believe that it will be easy, but I end this campaign with the same sense of optimism for Michigan and its future that I began with. During this campaign I put myself forward as a candidate willing to make the hard choices and tough decisions to facilitate Michigan’s comeback. Unfortunately, I will not have the opportunity to do so. In the weeks and the months ahead I will be looking for other opportunities to serve the public, and I urge all of you to do the same. To all those volunteers who knocked doors, made phone calls, donated money, put up yard signs, etc. please do not allow this election to be a setback. Please stay involved and engrossed in our public policy debates. This campaign has much to be proud of. Against the advice of political professionals and the chattering class we refused to play fast and loose with the truth. We stuck by our core principles of limited government and freedom.

Losing is never easy and I take solace in knowing that we fought with integrity for a worthwhile cause: Michigan’s future. Notwithstanding the electoral results, we should be proud of our work and effort. Bob Dole paraphrased Richard Nixon at Nixon’s funeral: “You must never be satisfied with success and you should never be discouraged by failure. Failure can be sad, but the greatest sadness is not to try and fail, but to fail to try. In the end, what matters is that you have always lived life to the hilt.”

In this campaign we attempted to live life to the hilt. I am proud of this campaign and deeply moved by the assistance that so many of you provided. Most importantly to the 2017 voters whose vote we earned during the campaign, thank you. Thank you for buying into our vision for Michigan’s future. Thank you all.

Sincerely

David Wolkinson

Dear Friends,

Today is election day. Join me in standing up and saying ‘No’ to business as usual and ‘No’ to the status quo in Lansing. Thank you to all of the 39th District voters who are joining me in making the important decisions necessary to improve the fortune of our great state. I know that I can count on your support in my campaign to lead Michigan back to better times.

Thank you again,

- David

Citing his superior strength on education issues, today the Detroit News formally endorsed David Wolkinson for State Representative in the 39th House district. [link]

David had this to say: “I am humbled by this endorsement. As the Conservative paper of record in Southeast Michigan, the Detroit News is not one of, but the endorsement to have in a Republican primary. In 8 days we have a choice - to maintain the status quo, or to change the way we operate.”

Today the News did not just endorse David’s candidacy, rather they endorsed our shared vision for Michigan’s brighter future. On August 5th vote for a change in Lansing - Vote David Wolkinson for State Representative.

We recently held a fundraiser at the Franklin Hills Country Club which was a huge success. I want to thank all those who attended, all those who donated, and especially the Woll family for hosting, planning, and coordinating the entire event. We had an excellent turnout and the event was amazing.

Thank you Drs. Woll for all of your help, I can’t adequately express how appreciative I am for everything you have done.

- David

Below are several pictures from the event:

As promised a few weeks back, I wanted to follow up on several important issues I raised at the LWV candidate forum and at The Spinal Column debate (which was broadcast online). During both of the debates I emphasized that we all must work hard towards greater civility and bipartisanship in Lansing. Elected officials are elected to get things done, not just to bicker.

My candidacy is premised on several core values: that we must cut taxes and reduce government waste in order to revitalize economic development and bring jobs to Michigan. I will not waver from these values. Having said that, I will promote my positions in a professional and respectful way. I will work hard to convince Democrats to agree with me, and when they do not, I will disagree in a civil manner. None of the other candidates at the debate spoke of the need to change the tone in Lansing. Unfortunately, I have come to expect no more from Lansing insiders. Nevertheless, I personally believe that it is critical that we recognize that while we are elected to fight for our values and the interests of our constituents, it is critical for our state and our government that we work together when we can. As state representative, I will do everything that I can to restore some much-needed bipartisan civility to Lansing.

- David

Nolan Finley just published an op-ed piece in yesterday’s Detoit News about the city of Detroit [link]. He was, as usual, insightful, combative, and correct in his overall argument. For Detroit to turn around, the residents of the city are going to have to make it happen.

As someone who has always considered himself a ‘Detroiter,’ though I have lived in Oakland County my entire life, I care deeply about the city of Detroit and the greater Detroit metropolitan area. I see so much promise in our region, and I honestly believe that our fortune’s will improve, but the city and the region need to be willing to make bold changes to make that happen. My campaign is founded on a commitment to making these bold changes.

I don’t want to exaggerate my own importance in Michigan’s potential turnaround. One state representative can’t do it alone. We the people need to demand change and reform of our government. Together, we must demand that the state and federal government adopt policies that will strengthen Michigan’s economy. By cutting taxes, reducing regulations, and eliminating wasteful government spending, we will enhance economic development and bring jobs back to Michigan.

The time is now. The upcoming election on August 5th is our first opportunity to say: Enough! We the people want change and we will not accept the same old politicians with the same old policies. My commitment to every resident of our 39th District, and every citizen of our great State, is that I will do everything in my power to lead us as a people and as a state to better times.

- David

Great news! West Bloomfield was just ranked 36th in Money Magazine’s list of America’s best places to live [link]. My only complaint is that I did not see Commerce or Wolverine Lake on the list!

- David

I live off of Orchard Lake Road and I can say from first hand experience that the driving conditions there are abominable. Orchard Lake is supposed to be the major though fare though West Bloomfield (one the of the wealthiest townships in Michigan). Given that reputation, Orchard Lake Road is downright embarrassing. The Eccentric recently ran a story describing that due to the deterioration of Orchard Lake Road, the annual Orchard Lake Car Cruise will be postponed [link].

I think that all district residents can agree that we need to comprehensively fix Orchard Lake Road. The current piecemeal approach is clearly not working, and is leading to more problems. As State Representative, I am committed to fighting every day to obtain the necessary funding to comprehensively and properly repair Orchard Lake Road.

- David

I received a very thoughtful comment on the blog a few days ago which reflects the sentiments many voters have regarding our state government. Below is the comment followed by my response:

On your mailed ad. you state your plan for overhauling state government. Do you know, or can you find out the cost, including salaries, expenses etc. of Michigan government jobs, aides, committees, everyone that our taxes pay as a full time entity as compared to other neighboring states.??
We applaud your desire to create a part-time legislature, but those clowns in Lansing will never approve such a revolutionary idea……..they’d be cutting their own throats. They would much rather remain fat cats “working” full time.
Dick and Stella Clement

I am unaware of a web site that provides comparative data on the salaries of Michigan bureaucrats vs. those in other states. However, this useful site provides data on senate staff salaries by position: Michigan Senate Databank. I agree that the ‘fat cats’ and entrenched special interests are going to work hard, maybe even overtime, to protect their special interests. This is exactly why we the people need to stand up and demand accountability from our legislature. 46 states have part time legislatures and they are doing just fine, if not better. We in Michigan need to be looking at what other states are doing and adopting some of their better ideas. The beauty of the federal system is that we are able to learn from the experiences and accomplishments of other states. Regarding a part time legislature, 46 states are doing it and surviving just fine. It is time for us here in Michigan to become the 47th. In order to switch from a full time legislature to a part time one, we need to organize a petition drive. There is no way we can expect Lansing insiders to limit their own power.

- David

Everyone is encouraged to attend David’s upcoming campaign fundraiser this coming Thursday, July 10th starting at 6:30pm at the Franklin Hills Country Club (31675 Inkster Rd., Franklin, MI) [Map]. Come meet David and show your support for his campaign to lead our state to a brighter 21st century.

Suggested donation: Red: $180, White: $90, Blue: $36

You can also donate via credit card using Paypal’s secure donation processing system:

Looking forward to seeing you this Thursday!

Click here to view the official fundraiser invitation: