August 20, 2008

Contact: Marty Dodge
(269) 744-5520
mdodge@kazoochamber.com

Kalamazoo Regional Chamber PAC Announces Endorsements For Township Races

KALAMAZOO, MI: The Kalamazoo Regional Chamber Political Action Committee has announced its endorsements in the following Kalamazoo County Township races for the Nov. 4 election:

• Alamo Township Supervisor -- Bob Vliestra (R)
• Kalamazoo Township Supervisor -- Justin VanderArk (R)
• Oshtemo Township Supervisor -- Bob Brink (R)
• Texas Township Supervior -- Dave Healy (R)
• Texas Township Trustee -- Erin Hoogendyk (R)

"There is a saying that all politics are local -- which is in keeping with the Chamber PAC's endorsement of the leaders of these key township races. We believe these individuals support a balance between a positive, healthy environment for business growth and the needs of their citizens." said Steward Sandstrom, CCE President and CEO of the Kalamazoo Regional Chamber of Commerce.

"The Chamber PAC is encouraging the owners and managers of Chamber member firms and their employees to strongly support these candidates at the polls on Nov. 4," said Brandt Iden, chairman of Kalamazoo Regional Chamber PAC. "We invite proactive business people to come forward and support these candidates through donations to ensure these candidates get elected."

"The Chamber PAC is pleased to endorse these candidates who are business-friendly and support healthy business environment," said Sandstrom. "Many of these candidates we have supported in the past and we continue to rely on their leadership into the future. Others are endorsed by us for the first time and we look forward to working with them as well in the coming election. They all have one thing in common they support a positive economic environment to allow us to grow jobs in this region.

Below are the Chamber PAC's previously announced Candidate Endorsements.

State Representatives
61st District - Larry DeShazor (R)
63rd District - James "Jase" Bolger (R)

Kalamazoo County
Prosecuting Attorney - Jeffrey Fink (R)
Sheriff - Michael Anderson (R)
Treasurer - Mary Balkema (R)
Clerk & Register of Deeds - Tim Snow (R)
Drain Commissioner - Pat Krause (R)
Commissioner District 1 - Jack Urban (D)
Commissioner District 7 - David Buskirk (D)
Commissioner District 8 - John Zull (R)
Commissioner District 9 - Nasim Ansari (R)
Commissioner District 10 - James Graham (R)
Commissioner District 12 - Christopher Haenicke (R)
Commissioner District 13 - Deb Buchhotlz-Heimstra (R)
Commissioner District 15 - Ann Nieuwenhuis (R)
Commissioner District 16 - Jeff Balkema (R)
Commissioner District 17 - David Maturen (R)

Judicial
8th District Court - Julie Phillips

In addition, the Kalamazoo Regional Chamber of Commerce is endorsing the re-election of Congressman Fred Upton in the U.S. 6th Congressional District.

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The Kalamazoo Regional Chamber Political Action Committee's mission is to support business-friendly candidates at the local and state level through endorsements and campaign contributions. PAC monies are generated entirely through private, individual contributions. No Chamber dues are used for funding the PAC's activities.