State GOP Chair candidate Scott Greenlee has filled out the Grand New Party’s candidate survey. He is the fifth individual to fill out our candidate survey. Please reach out to state GOP chair candidates and urge them to fill out the survey. It can be accessed here.

 

Question:

What are your fundraising goals for the 2024 election cycle and how do you plan to raise the money needed to perform the core functions of the state party, such as holding regular political conventions, field staff, and messaging?

Answer:

I believe that in a Presidential year with an open US Senate seat and the huge priority of taking back the State House, the Party will need 30M to operate properly. I have contact with previous donors who have not invested recently, and over the years, and plan to contact each one with a solid, transparent plan as to you their funds will be spent and ask for the investment/partnership. I will work to expand our small donor base while planning to retain the current (2021-22) donor base. We will be very creative with fund raising – direct asks, leveraging technology, smart events, partnership with organizations who share our conservative values, and more. Having been a Finance Chair, having raised millions of dollars for political causes, having fund raising experience with non profit organizations, and with business investment and sales, I believe my experience and contacts are solid in this area. It is a lot about trust and communication, as is always the case.

Question:

What strengths will you bring as a leader while serving as the next MRP Chair?

Answer:

I have significant leadership experience in political organizations, business and business organizations, and the non profit community. I have a network that is very strong and have learned that respectful communication is critical to getting everyone working together as a team. Every opinion will be heard and we will find the common ground of our party – our Platform, ideas, and importantly…beating Democrats. I live 10 minutes from the HQ in Lansing, so I will be an active and engaged Chair. I have a strong work ethic and follow the rules/work honestly, which is apparent by my track record and will be seen by all in the Party. And as noted, direct, respectful, honest communication will be critical.

 

Question:

Will you attempt to re-engage the so-called “Donor Class” that has typically funded Republican causes in Michigan in the past? Is it necessary to cultivate an entirely new “Donor Class” to fund MRP operations or can a middle ground be achieved? Please elaborate.

Answer:

Absolutely – and I have the contacts to do that. One thing they have always wanted is more people in the Party. Well, they have it now, and now they must be respectful of these new activists and their goals. At the end of the day, everyone in the Party wants to beat Dems. I will keep the focus on that and be transparent with their donations – and make it clear that there are no strings attached other than to support our platform. I will also let them know that the Party will stay out of Primaries – our job is to prepare all resources so once we are done with the primary season we can hit the ground running and really make an impact to be felt in Nov of 2024. I will also welcome new, large donors to the Party, and back to the Party as I can think of folks who gave significantly 10/15 years ago who have not been engaged in a while. Of course, I will also make sure all avenues to accept funding are available to all donors.

Question:

Do you agree with the vast majority of Republican Party elected officials who (like Democrats) pick winners and losers and support centralized planning through corporate welfare schemes, or do you believe in free markets and equal opportunity for all businesses in Michigan? Why?

Answer:

No – the free market MUST work for a successful society. No picking winners and losers – as a political party (primary elections) or with business. I have been clear on this for years.

Question:

Although both are important, what is more important to you –  unity around Republican politicians or unity around the principles of the Republican Party? Why? (Note: The GNP disavows all third-party candidates)

Answer:

As Chairman, its Principles and the Platform – it is by these issues that we will be able to really grow the Party.

Question:

How will you protect the authority of precinct delegates as party chair and make sure their interests are put at the forefront of the MRP? Will you take our Precinct Protection Pledge to go on the record in support of the rights of precinct delegates and the expansion of those rights for delegates to choose candidates for additional elected offices?  Pledge Available Here.

Answer:

I recognize that the Chair, and all officers, report to the Delegates. They are the bosses. I have always felt that way since I first became a Delegate over 30 years ago as a College Republican. Delegates will be more involved in the Party than they have ever been before. I will travel to meet with them and get input – and we will also use technology along those lines (calls, Zoom, etc.). An example of this is the fact that I did not chose a Co-Chair but am instead leaving it to the State Committee per MI GOP Rule. If I could give it direct to the Delegates, I would, but there is no mechanism for that. So the Delegates will elect their representatives to the State Committee on Friday night Feb 17, and then let them know who they want me to serve with. I will work with anyone named in that role as about 125 opinions are always better than one. That will be how I manage the organization – by including more people in a proactive communication manner, and transparently. I have signed up as a supporter of the Pledge and will work to involve the Delegates more, as noted.

 

Question:

The Heartbeat Bill spurred a contentious debate within the Pro-Life movement of Michigan. 

Right to Life of Michigan and the Michigan Catholic Conference argued the heartbeat bill would have jeopardized the 1931 full ban on abortion (MCL 750.14).

The Heartbeat Coalition and Jay Sekulow’s American Center for Law and Justice carefully wrote the heartbeat bill with clause 8(4) that reads “nothing in this act shall be construed to repeal or amend, explicitly or by implication, any provision of law prohibiting or regulating abortion, including, but not limited to… MCL 750.14, 750.15, 750.322, and 750.323.

Who do you believe was right about the Heartbeat Bill and what do you think the Pro-Life movement needs to do moving forward to protect life in the aftermath of the passage of Proposal 3?

Answer:

I supported the Heartbeat Bill and assisted with their committee leadership/brainstorming/ideas. I think we need all hands on deck with Prop 3 having passed, which is why I was (and the only Chair candidate) at the Protect Life Michigan event on January 28 in Lansing at the Capitol. I have supported several Pro Life groups over the years with my time and financially of course. That will continue without a doubt. As Chair I will lead by example in all areas, and especially for Life. By the way – at that event Saturday Jan 28, there were a LOT of people who are not involved with their local parties and we (MI GOP) will work to recruit at events like that to involve more people and strengthen both groups through collaboration wherever possible. If we share goals, we need to work together.

 

Question:

How will you use the authority of the MRP to fight voter fraud in the state of Michigan and make sure that election integrity is restored? How will you effectively fight back against Democrats in power who refuse to enforce the law?

Answer:

We must have a very robust Election Day Operations program that actually starts weeks before with the Absentee Ballots. Recruitment and proper training of many, many more volunteers must occur. We have to have an absolute best legal team ready to take action on behalf of the Party. The MI GOP must push our elected officials to strengthen penalties for those who break the law, and properly investigate where there are issues and irregularities. We must be confident that the voting system is secure – if it isn’t the other work done does not really matter. Too many people – clearly – currently do not have faith in the system. We know cheating has gone on for years – I can tell you stories about being a challenger back in the 1990s – I am aware of people who have pled guilty to felonies in this state for voter fraud before 2020 – and it must be stopped. I will also leverage relationships I have with others who have been on the front lines of this battle to make sure we are fighting as efficiently and effectively as possible. It will be a big area of focus as Chair.

 

Question:

With the youth trending toward leftism on social issues, what is your plan to re-engage the youth and reverse this slide toward socialism that puts our nation’s future in jeopardy? Do you believe that Republicans should trend toward the middle or focus on winning the arguments to engage the youth?

Answer:

Having gotten started as a College Republican (and was somewhat involved in High School) I recognize that the youth are critical, and always have. I think we must empower young people to guide us in how we successfully strengthen our position with other young people. At 55 I do not have the answers, but I have worked with a number of the Youth Vice Chairs over the years and know some have prepared very detailed plans only to get lip service with no real follow through from various people within the MI GOP – and staff. This will not be the case – we will follow through on what our TAR, CR, and YR leaders are looking to accomplish.

Question:

Do you think the Republican Legislature did the right thing in December by not sending strong policies to the governor believing she would veto them or do you think they should have put her on record for vetoing bills–such as ensuring males don’t compete against women in women’s sports? Will you use your power as MRP Chair to compel the Michigan state legislature to support strong legislation instead of coming up with excuses for inaction? How will you use the bully pulpit of the Party to enforce principled behavior by elected lawmakers?

Answer:

No – I personally think they missed a big opportunity there where we could have gotten the Dems on record with several issues that matter to voters. I will encourage our legislature to be as aggressive as possible along these lines whenever it makes sense. The more public we can make the Democratic radical agenda the more Independent voters that will break away from them, and in Michigan, where so many voters self ID as Independent, this is a critical part of victory.

Question:

Will special interest groups and lobbyists influence the MRP? Will they be shut out entirely? Are there any lobbying groups or special interest groups (on issues such as gun rights or abortion) that you feel are worthwhile?

Answer:

Any person, group, or organization that supports our Platform goals and our primary winners will be welcomed into the MI GOP. You note two above (Pro-Life and 2A groups) but there are many others that we must collaborate with to ensure we are as impactful as possible. Any organization is stronger when partnering with like minded groups, and political organizations like the MI GOP are no exception. I think in the past we missed opportunities to partner closely with some groups – and I will work tirelessly to make sure everyone is on the same page and working together toward the big goal of beating Democrats.