Speaking to local GOP supporters, Michigan Republican leader, Rusty Hills, exuded confidence proclaiming the challenge to the Legislature's redistricting plan will not succeed, and Republicans will be victorious in Michigan GOP Chairman Rusty Hills

November. Speaking of the 2002 general election, he stated, “There is no race we can't win!”

Hills spoke at the Grosse Pointe Hunt Club during the April 25, 2002, ERC P.A.C. dinner, held to raise funds for local GOP candidates. According to Lita M. McKeehan, leader of the ERC Political Action Committee, the dinner was another successful event for the group. In addition to Hills, the evening featured a silent auction coordinated by P.A.C. member Cheryl Costantino.

As term limits conclude the Engler administration and a new Governor will be elected in November 2002, Hills said that voters will be asked to consider one simple question, “Is Michigan better off today?”

In answer to that question he cited 800,000 new Michigan jobs; welfare reform that reduced those dependent on it from 200,000 to just 77,000; more than 30 tax cuts; environmental progress; education reform; and spending of $100 billion on K-12 programs.

Hills, the Michigan Republican Chairman, charged that a Democrat administration would put special interests and cronies in key State positions as has occurred in Wayne County and at Detroit-Wayne County Metro Airport.

He was quick to offer answers to a second question, “What can I do?” He encouraged his audience to get the names of good candidates on the ballot by signing nominating petitions, and to join the political process by filling local precinct delegate spots. He told the group that a Republican victory at the ballot box requires the party to stay united.

As one who has carefully studied Michigan election results, Hills noted, “This will be the year of the one million 'missing voters.'” He said that Michigan usually records 4.2 million votes in a presidential election year, but that 3.2 million likely will decide Michigan victors in this year's November general election. “The people who turn out will determine the outcome, so get out the vote in Grosse Pointe,” he urged. Returning to his theme, Hill confidently proclaimed, “We will be the best on election day!”

Asked about the Democrat Party's challenge to the Congressional redistricting plan passed by the Michigan Legislature, signed by the Governor, and upheld by the Michigan Supreme Court in a six-to-one ruling, he was optimistic that the three-judge Federal panel reviewing the Democrat challenge will reach its conclusion shortly after Memorial Day. Because he is convinced the plan is right, fair, and in compliance with statute, Hills expressed confidence that the Federal panel's decision will support the plan as passed in Lansing. The alternative, he said would be 2002 electoral chaos due to the critical timing of primaries, conventions and statutory candidate filing deadlines.

In addition to chairman Lita M. McKeehan, P.A.C. committee members include John Stempfle, Tom McCleary, Cheryl Costantino, Carol Hackleman, Jeffrey Neilson, and Alice Baetz.