By Mike Householder
Associated Press Writer
DETROIT (AP) -- Dozens of Republican activists and community leaders say they are supporting Democrat Pat Miles for Congress, fearing that his opponent, Justin Amash, may be too conservative for even the traditionally Republican district.
"I seriously question that Justin Amash is a Republican, based upon his voting record and public statements," said former Kent County Republican Party Chairman Bill Farr. "His views are so extreme, I think he is even to the right of the tea party movement."
Farr is one of three former Kent County GOP chairmen among the more than 50 party activists and community leaders who are backing Miles over state Rep. Justin Amash of Kent County's Cascade Township. The list released Monday by Miles' campaign includes two daughters of longtime U.S. Rep. Vernon Ehlers, the Republican whose plans to retire at the end of his term created a vacancy for the 3rd District.
Amash, 30, is serving his first two-year term as a state lawmaker. He has gained a reputation for being unafraid to vote "no" on a bill, even one supported by most of his Republican colleagues. He has voted against an income tax checkoff for an autism research fund and opposed putting a measure on the November ballot that would prohibit people from serving in public office if they were convicted of certain "public trust" felonies in the past 20 years.
He frequently votes against spending bills, even those that have been agreed to by bipartisan conference committees.
The practice has turned off some in the party, who see Amash as too radical for their taste.
"I want someone who is in the mainstream, and for me that person is Pat Miles," Farr said. "I will vote for him this fall because I know he is a moderate whose views are in line with those of our district."
Miles, a 42-year-old Harvard-educated attorney from Grand Rapids, says in a statement that his Republican supporters "understand we need a congressman who will focus on helping people and getting results, not someone who has proven to be an obstructionist."
Amash campaign spokesman John Amash says Miles is the one who's out of touch.
"Justin stands for principles shared by the vast majority of west Michigan voters," he said. "Most voters aren't looking for a candidate like Pat Miles who is pro-choice and supports higher taxes, out-of-control government spending and government-run health care. Believing in responsible government, like Justin does ... is not extreme."
Also on the ballot are Charlie Shick of the Green Party, Ted Gerrard of the U.S. Taxpayers Party and Libertarian James Rogers.
They're running in an area that long has been one of Michigan's key Republican strongholds. It has been represented in Congress by Gerald Ford but has a growing number of Democratic voters in Grand Rapids. Other areas of the district are known for their staunch conservatives, including lieutenant governor candidate Brian Calley, a state lawmaker from Portland.
Ehlers, the current congressman, is a research physicist who has been in office since 1993 and is known for his willingness to work across the aisle.
His daughters, Maria Ehlers and Heidi Ehlers Rienstra, both said Monday they back Miles.
"Pat Miles is the candidate who will continue the 3rd District's long history of being represented by a moderate voice in Congress," Rienstra said. "He will serve in the tradition of the collaborative, proactive leaders who have worked so faithfully on our behalf in Congress."
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Associated Press Writer Tim Martin in Lansing contributed to this report.
Published: Wed, Sep 22, 2010
