“I understand how much we gained by having this primary early, and on the same date as the Democrats,” said National committeewoman Holly Hughes.

Speaking to the Eastside Republican Club Forum at the Grosse Pointe War Memorial on January 22, she explained, “In this election, in one day, we have identified over 800,000 potential GOP voters.”

According to Hughes, “We can be sure that the candidates all understand our one-state recession, and the value of Great Lakes water as a Michigan resource.” She added that Michigan needed this type of visibility and national attention for our survival.

Hughes said the primary demonstrated the value of “grassroots” workers. As a participant and observer of GOP affairs both here and around the nation, she observed, “Michigan is very well organized.”

These grassroots workers, she said, “know who to call to make things happen.”

“One of the things I noted was that one-fourth of all votes cast was by absentee ballot, even before New Hampshire.” This was due to the necessity of releasing the absent voter ballots early.

The national committeewoman explained, “I support Sen. McCain, but I know others support Romney and other candidates.” Hughes promised that after the convention, “I will support the nominee of the party.”

In other races, she said that the GOP might well have three strong candidates vying for the opportunity to challenge Carl Levin.

Hughes fielded a question asking about a part-time state legislature as a possible way to address Michigan's ongoing budget shortfall. She acknowledged that some legislatures successfully operate on that basis, and it has been noted the Michigan legislature may have too much time on its hands when it addresses the “problem” of pet custody in divorce settlements.

On the non-partisan ballot, Hughes said, “We need to support Cliff Taylor in his bid for reelection to the Michigan Supreme Court.”

As the result of the primary here, Michigan GOP convention delegates have been determined: Romney 13, McCain 10, and Huckabee 2.

She said that according to established rules, delegates are awarded in proportion to the number of Michigan congressional districts carried, rather than based on a statewide, winner-take-all system. In addition, some Republican delegates are awarded to other candidates who exceed a statewide threshold, even though no district was carried.

Despite conducting Michigan's Republican primary earlier than authorized by the Republican National Committee, Hughes said, “You can count on the Michigan delegation being seated, regardless of what the RNC now says.”

She based her comment on assurances offered by individual presidential candidates who would likely have a strong voice in such a decision.

Hughes stated that before the 2012 primaries, schedules would be better defined. She said that certain states such as Iowa and New Hampshire would probably continue to lead the calendar, but that either a lottery or a regional plan would determine the order of other states' primaries.

Current proposals call for states to “take turns” or rotate their position in the national lineup. Hughes acknowledged that despite threatened sanctions, there is concern that states might continue to be tempted to violate a scheduling agreement reached in advance.

Hughes suggested that political observers should watch two people who are receiving increased national visibility, Minnesota's Republican governor Tim Pawlenty, and former Hewlett-Packard CEO Carly Fiorina. Both have been active in Michigan as well as nationally on behalf of the McCain campaign, and could be among potential choices for a vice presidential running mate.

She reported that McCain traveled around Michigan with Fiorina, who was HP chairman and CEO from 1999 to 2005, and who recently introduced McCain at the Washtenaw Economic Club.

Of Pawlenty, Hughes said he was first elected governor in 2002, and has an impressive record. Within months of taking office, the legislature adopted his plan to eliminate the state's record $4.5 billion budget deficit without raising taxes. Then, in 2005 and 2007, Pawlenty again balanced the Minnesota budget without tax hikes.

Hughes, a Montague resident, has been active in grassroots politics since 1989, and has worked on numerous campaigns from envelope stuffer to campaign manager. She has served in such Republican posts as precinct delegate, county treasurer, county chairman, district chairman, as well as county chairman in the campaigns of George W. Bush, Spencer Abraham, Terri Land, and Mike Cox.

In addition to working to elect Republicans, Hughes has also been a candidate herself. She is presently serving her third term as White River Township trustee, and is a former Montague area public school board member. Gov. John Engler appointed Hughes to the Michigan Underground Storage Tank Financial Assurance Fund board.

Hughes has served or continues to serve on the Community Foundation for Muskegon County, White Lake Community Fund, Hackley Hospital Cornerstone Foundation, West Shore Symphony Orchestra, White Lake Recylcers, and Lebanon Lutheran Church.

In 1999 Hughes received the White Lake Chamber of Commerce Athena Award recognizing businesswomen and community leaders. She also was awarded the American Hometown Leadership Award from the National Association of Townships after being nominated by fellow White River Township board members.

In 1981 Hughes received a business degree from Michigan State University. Today, she is a small business owner, working in property management. She has also worked with her husband, Richard, CEO for Master Tag in Montague. Hughes has worked at Master Tag, which manufactures horticultural tags, and with her family business, Bolema Lumber, a retail hardware and lumber company.

Richard and Holly have been married 23 years, and have two daughters, Morgan and Taylor.

The Eastside Republican Club Forum is normally held on the third Tuesday of the month from September through June. Admission is free and the public is always welcome.