Chair of Convention Site Selection Committee
Michigan's Holly Hughes
Plays National Role for GOP
Traveling, fund raising and encouraging grass roots workers are just some Republican national committeewoman duties, according to Holly Hughes, speaking September 15, 2009, to the Eastside Republican Club at the Grosse Pointe War Memorial.
Hughes, a Michigan RNC member since 2004, addressed the question, “What do I do?”
“My job is like a county or district chairman, except my responsibilities include the whole State,” she said.
In addition, as an RNC member she played a role in selecting the RNC chairman, currently Michael Steele, Maryland lieutenant governor from 2003 to 2007.
Of Steele, Hughes said, “He is the perfect person for our comeback--open, and a team player who will make a difference.”
“Watch the November General Election results for signs of a turnaround, especially results in New Jersey and the Virginia gubernatorial election,” she said.
She was optimistic about future GOP gains. “We will win,” she predicted. “Obama is helping!”
Regarding the national controversy over government-run health care, see recommended the RNC web site, BarackObamaExperiment.com.
For Michigan, she stated, elections in 2010 are the key to our redistricting.
Asked about the various contests for the Michigan Republican nomination, she said, “I've endorsed Michelle McManus for Secretary of State.”
But she stopped there, saying there are good candidates in the race for governor and attorney general. Hughes pointed out that nominations will be decided by delegates to the August 2010 Republican State Convention.
Chairs Hunt for GOP Convention Site
On August 14, Steele announced appointment of Hughes as chairman of the Site Selection Committee.
The committee, comprised of two elected RNC members and one alternate from each region, will evaluate potential host cities for the 2012 Republican National Convention.
But Detroit is not a contender. According to The Hill, current RNC rules bar “members of the site selection committee from representing states that will be submitting bids to host the GOP.”
“The RNC will therefore not be able to hold its convention in Detroit, where Ronald Reagan accepted the party's nomination in 1980,” concluded the report.
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Bill Schutte Cameo
Midland's former U.S. Congressman and a current candidate for GOP Michigan Attorney General nomination, Bill Schutte, made a welcome, if unexpected, appearance at the September Forum.
He stated, “Michigan needs an attorney general who is strong, tough and experienced.”
“As a judge, I watched as some in Lansing wanted to release dangerous criminals, and I'm opposed to early release to save money,” Schutte said.
He briefly answered audience questions and outlined his experience, and plans to put safety first as Michigan's top law enforcement leader.
Schutte has served as a Department Director, State Senator, and Michigan Court of Appeals Judge.
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Serves on RNC Executive Committee
In May 2009. Steele appointed Hughes to the RNC Executive Committee.
“The RNC Executive Committee plays a vital role in shaping the direction of the RNC,” Steele said.
Worked on Steele Transition
Hughes also served on the transition team assembled by Steele after his election as RNC chairman in early 2009.
Comprised of current RNC members, the transition team was charged with the task of reviewing party operations, preparing for upcoming elections, and helping to implement changes Steele proposed during his campaign for RNC chairman.
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.
