Great idea Daryl, I’m glad you are using the candidates own words to let the public know who they are and what they bring to the table. We now have an even clearer picture of what they have accomplished, and their vision on what a State Representative should do for those they represent.

Joanna’s past job experiences are evidence of the depth of experience she has in many of the areas that are most important to the 45th District. Local Economy, Small Business, Heath Care, Public Education, Human Rights, Smaller Government, and Philanthropy are all a part of who she is and what she has to offer.

We are a community of families who need public services that include excellent hospitals, k-12 schools, universities, safe roads, and parks for our children to play in. This is what brings new people to our community, and in turn promotes jobs and a strong local economy. Joanna understands that and will fight to keep these front and center in Lansing.

Joanna is an excellent listener who will cross the aisle if it is something that will benefit her constituents. In my opinion Joanna is what this community needs. I hope folks see the wisdom in splitting their ballot and make Joanna their choice. It is the right thing to do!

Reading Ms. VanRaaphoorst's questionnaire, I find myself wanting more clarification on the "schools of choice" she references. Does she mean interdistrict schools of choice, intradistrict schools of choice, charter, magnet, cyber, International Academy, etc.?

Education is a huge topic for me and I believe the parents deserve choices, even when there are great public schools around. If charter and cyber schools can meet the needs of students that are having problems in traditional public schools, I support parents having that freedom. Mr. McMillin is closer to my views on this than Ms. VanRaaphorst. I also believe that Mr. McMillin's views on charter schools are reflective of the majority of this community.

When I have interacted with Ms. VanRaaphorst, I have found her personable, a good listener, and very professional. She has some skills that would be very helpful in Lansing. However, many of my views, but certainly not all, are closer to Mr. McMillin's, so her winning personality cannot be the most important factor for me.

I would like to thank both of them for their responsiveness to the questionnaires sent by Daryl and me. I'm glad both understand the importance of communicating with their constituents. I felt that the questionnaires allowed them to express in their own words what their views are, instead of the filter and spin put on by others. I would love to see more questionnaires like these in future elections.

I appreciate both candidates taking the time to respond. Both have well thought out answers and appear sincere. It makes you wish politics were that simple, The sad truth is that you also have to consider many of the broader issues, like party affiliation and backers.

While I believe Joanne would try and represent all those from the district, she would be part of the broader Democrat contigent and would be expected to vote accordngly. This is not a non-partisian seat. The party with the most seats controls the majority and the agenda.

She also has strong backing from the MEA. In my book that is a deal killer. That said, if someone is against the current path set ny the Govenor and House and is a strong supporter of the MEA, I fully respect that. That is what makes this country great.

To say that you just need to evaluate the candidates themselves and not consider the broader realities is either naive, idealistic or both.

Well, reading both questionnaires, Joanna certainly has the better plan and is more inclusive of all the residents of the district.

We don't just need number crunchers in Lansing. This is not entirely a math problem. Peoples lives are NOT just spreadsheets. There are other problems to solve.

Let's elect a person that cares about all of the 45th District. That person is Joanna VanRaaphorst.

I received some nasty literature from Mr McMillinl this weekend attacking his opponent. Very sexist material. He lost my vote.

Here you go again. You had a ton of positive reasons why Joanna is better than Tom McMillin for Rochester, our kids, our schools and our community. You just didn't like the answers. How is you get to lobby incessantly and unabashedly for McMillin on the front page of Patch days before the election? Soon, Tom McMillin will have to claim you and Patch as a soft money contribution to his campaign.

Unlike Tom, Joanna won't take our kids money and our tax dollars and send them to out-of-state for-profit charters. She isn't anti-gay, anti-teacher, anti-woman, and anti-union; and she doesn't think her religious beliefs should be legislated. In short, Joanna is not an ideologue and Tea Party extremist, and she didn't move to Rochester just to run for office. She is a long time resident, her kids went to our schools, her and her husband both own businesses in the community; and she has a lot of support from Republicans and Independents who are fed up with radicals like McMillin, who have hijacked the Republican Party and taken it down the rabbit hole.

Why don't u ask Doug to post his full name as well, Daryl? Why the favortism?

I usually don't pay attention to these races. Thank you to the man who generated these questionnaires. Ms VanRaaphorst has my vote.

Conservatives and Tea Partiers like Tom McMillin haven't had a new or original thought in years. They are about the same old things: tax cuts; god, guns, and gays; wars, bombs, jails - privatized of course; and vouchers for schools, medicare, social security so they can privatize everything and redistribute even more taxpayer money to corporate profits and growth. They believe that people and local governments that receive taxpayer money are "moochers, spenders and losers", but businesses that take taxpayer money are "clever hardworking job creators". They want smaller government for themselves and more government for everybody else. They want to pick the winners and losers, and under their ideological driven system - everybody loses but them.

Tom McMillin has an ideologically driven voting record that includes (surprise surprise) raising taxes on seniors and low-income to give tax cuts to the likes of Moroun and Monaghan. He has an 8% rating on the environment, and he's played a lead role in an activist Tea Party legislature that set a record for the number of new laws passed making them the biggest government Michigan has ever had. He cut pensions to state workers and protected his own. http://votesmart.org/candidate/key-votes/19781/#.UJedcG_Ad8E

Since Daryl is working so hard to elect Tom McMillin, I'd like to let Joanna speak for herself. http://www.joannaforrochester.com/

For me the most important issues are Jobs and the Economy, if that is back on track we will be able to fix the other issues. Jobs come from the private sector that create things and grow wealth, when we have a thriving Job market the outcome is a growing economy for all.

At the beginning of the Snyder administration I was asked to participate in a seminar that assessed where the State of Michigan is in competing for business, we were at the bottom of most categories. This team devised a plan to move Michigan in the right direction.

The team moved quickly and started to implement the plan and the results were stunning. Site Selection magazine noticed what Michigan was doing. I was interviewed by them with one of the companies I am an active investor in that is considering more investments. I stated Michigan is on the right path, but is not there yet and plenty of other States that are more competitive.

Lansing still reaches out to business with surveys, seminars and support services to ensure we understand where Michigan is going so we will invest here. I am very impressed, but concerned we are going to turn back and loose this momentum. This election and proposals will clearly indicate where we are going.

Financial expertise is an integral element to assessing the real value of a particular issue and direction. I am supporting Tom McMillin for his work with the team using his tools and expertise to continue the plan that is successful by real metrics.

I will vote for Joanna VanRaaphorst. Over the past few months, I have paid attention to who has shown up at community events. From Chamber Events to the Crittenton Gala last night, Joanna has been there, listening and showing support to our great organizations. In the past four years (And this is just an observation not a negative remark) I have hardly seen Mr. McMillin. I am confident that Joanna will be at future events not only to show support for them but to listen to the people, community leaders, and stakeholders who go to these events. In my opinion, this is one way to reach out and get a true understanding of what people want.

Joanna has a vision that encompasses improving and supporting pubic education, job creation and promoting local employment and job economy. I support and endorse Joanna as she exemplifies the inclusiveness of what a state representative should be. A true representative of ALL people irregardless of wearing an "R" or a "D" attached to their name. Nor she is driven by special interest groups that have narrow and rather frightening political and social agendas. I am all about a clear minded, positive, and energy focused individual that will work on behalf of the community as a whole. Time for true representation in Lansing. Joanna is that individual.

Linda:

I respect your right to support your candidate. You articulate the reasons why in a very positive fashion. I have to take exception to one comment. JoAnne represents a set of ideas and supporters (MEA) that don't represent People of all parties. I consider myself a right leaning independent. In no way does Tom represent my social views. That said, Joanne doesn't represent my fiscal views. That is OK.

I am voting very reluctantly for Tom, because I believe the Republicam
majority in the House has the best chance of bringing the Michigan economy. I can't afford to vote for Joanne with the voting so close for that majority.

A quick comment on names. Ideas presented on these posts should stand on their own merit. Having someone's full name offers no additional context unless the writer is well known, which would offer context.

W

I am voting for Joanna Vanraaphorst. I met her this summer. My child is special needs and I think she is the candidate that will stand up for families like mine. No offense to the McMillin supporters but he seems to be more about social issues that provoke people.

Tom Lost my vote way last summer with all his Robo calls, even after 3 emails and 2 phone calls asking for them to stop they keep coming!

I'm voting for Joanna. She's committed to doing the right thing for her constituents and also recognizes the value of our children's education. By the way, I don't think any comments here qualify as "bashing." Many of us don't agree with McMillin's record or positions. Saying so is not being negative, just stating our beliefs. Stop being so sensitive when we don't agree with your candidate.

Joanna VanRaaphorst will be getting my vote. Her views align with my concerns for the community she would represent as well as her MODERATE position on many of the issues. Divisiveness does not lead to consensus and consensus is what's needed at the State level.

I so wish more people would have attended the debate at city hall several weeks ago because they'd have made a decision right then and there, Joanna VanRaaphorst is the BEST CANDIDATE for this position. What a woman! I'm so happy to call her my friend.

Joanna is the best choice for State Representative. She is and always has been actively involved in our community. She didn't just get involved when she decided to run for political office. Her children attended Rochester Community Schools. She knows our community and what is important to our families.

I'm voting for Joanna Vanraaphorst. I do not believe the majority of the the people in this community agree with Tom McMillin's social views. I think people are more like Joanna. In a piece Tom sent out to the district he refers to his facebook account. I checked it out. His friends include people like Peter Labarbera of Americans for Truth about Homosexuality. This is a hate group. These are facts, Daryl. I don't know many people in this community who run with hate groups. Tom does. Joanna has worked in small business, large corporations and has spear headed major philanthropic efforts in this area. Easy choice for me. Joanna Vanraaphorst has my vote.

Since I can't imagine many people will be changing their minds between today and tomorrow, I find my own mind turning toward the day after tomorrow and the challenges ahead for the future of Michigan and the Nation.

Whatever mix of executives, judges, and legislators we elect to each branch and level of government, they will all be charged to represent the People's Will in making one critical choice — the choice between democratic government and corporate government. That is a choice that affects every other — from education, the environment, equality of opportunity and protection under the law, to public safety, public service, and whether we even continue to have a meaningful public sector in the future.

As far as education goes, it is clear that all of us and all of our elected officials need to become better informed about the consequences of the paths we choose — the very viability of our democracy is at stake.

The necessary conversation is not a new one, but it seems necessary to renew it from time to time, and this is certainly one of those times. One of the places the needed conversation is occurring with rather more light than heat these days would have to be on the following site.

• http://dianeravitch.net/

I recommend it to you all. If we don't become better educated about education, I fear we are doomed.

Well, isn't this a who's who of Rochester Democrats. Folks who run fundraisers for JV and the local Democrat club. I'm glad the vocal minority is coming out in full force, like the 12 folks who always show up at Tom McMillin's office hours to scream about something. Be careful when you get to the polls tomorrow. You'll be accosted by these same dozen folks while you head into the polls to cast your secret ballot and re-elect Tom McMillin.
Speaking of divisive, it seems the local Democrats are the ones being divisive. Tom doesn't talk about gays or these fake "divisive" issues until asked by Bruce Fealk or his merry band of agitators. I like how JV quotes County Exec Patterson on her literature against Tom McMillin. But why does Brooks Patterson support McMillin over JV?
It's funny reading some of the quotes about ol' JV. She knows what's best for business. She knows what's best for our schools. She knows what's best for parents in our district, and charter schools aren't one of them.
Euripides said "One can judge a man by the company he keeps." If JV is such a business maven, how come she hasn't been endorsed by NFIB or any chambers of commerce? If JV is able to cross the aisle and work with both sides, how come she hasn't been endorsed by any conservative groups? I think the reality of JV being a moderate is as fake as the controversy over Tom McMillin.

"One can judge a man by the company he keeps." - Tom McMillin is financed by Matty Moroun and backed by hate group leaders like Gary Glenn.

McMillinWatch.com

I have already voted for Joanna. I am not a Republican or a Democrat but, an independent who truly looks at the background and caliber of the candidate. Who has shown up, has Rochester best interests at heart and is willing to work together to get things done. Joanna wins hands down.

I have a sincere question for moderates and republicans in this district. Are you willing to risk the Republican majority in the House to vote for a more inviting democrat over an objectionable republican?

It is a tough one. On the one hand, the local decision seems easy. However that could mean a political agenda in Lansing more along the lines of what Virg was offering when he ran against Snyder.

Have you considered that possibility?

There are bad elected officials in each party. I'm a moderate and I don't think voting against McMillin is going to change any progress (unemployment actually rose) in this state. Companies and people who migrate to states look at a wide variety of issues, many of which McMillin can't grasp. Another 2 years of McMilin gives him an opportunity to fill up his coffers for a state senate run. I'm not voting for him.

I posted earlier my positive decision to vote for Joanna. I met her and talked to her about her positions. I found that I agree with her on just about every issue. She is a moderate like I am. Later, I came home and looked at my mail. There was an 8 x 10 postcard from Taxpayers for McMillan, CPA that said she had a "RADICAL liberal agenda" (their capital letters). She is not a "radical" by any definition. So much for "positive" campaigning. Joanna is our best choice. She has not resorted to wild exaggerations and name calling, which is a reflection of her good character. Character counts!

JoAnna is an incredible individual with a rare talent for helping others. She is.a capable, intelligent, compassionate, level-headed, steadfast leader who will never give up without seeing to it justice is served. As a community servant, former teacher, concerned citizen and caring neighbor to all, there is no other candidate I'd rather see represent the State of Michigan in these uncertain times. Both parties have done a fine job representing themselves and their ideas. My faith is with JoAnna.

Daryl Patrishkoff... gets his underwear in a bunch every time I use my own words -- likes to call me the town fool when we don't draw the same conclusion. So to appease Daryl and all his sensitives... I'll cut and paste other quotes where I share the similar opinion.

L. Brooks Patterson supports the inclusion of sexual orientation in state hate crime laws. "We don't kill young gay guys just because they're gay. Maybe McMillin's brand of Christianity accepts that. Mine does not," Patterson was quoted as saying in the Oakland Press

L. Brooks Patterson said McMillin hailed from the "Taliban wing of the Party," after McMillin used robocalls against the Oakland County executive that said he embraced the homosexual agenda. Patterson also said that McMillin wasn't a member of the Christian Coalition because, in fact, he embarrasses the Christian Coalition. Oakland Press

"Republicans did less mischief at their convention, mainly because all the top spots were already determined. They get the award, however, for picking the absolutely worst candidate for any job. That would be Tom McMillan, the former Auburn Hills mayor who became famous for his hatred of gay people. He was so over-the-top that L. Brooks Patterson called him a member of the Taliban, and once famously gave him a kiss to make fun of his obsession." Jack Lessonberry

Tom NO Joanna YES -- MI Equality (Leading Gay Adoption Advocates) Tom NO Joanna YES --

I'm voting for Joanna VanRaaphorst because she believes that children are better off in a home with 2 people who love them than in the system.

I am an INDEPENDENT voter.

Voted for McMillin in his last run, but because of votes he cast and comments he makes, I was open for a better option.

Joanna Vanraaphorst will get my vote this election.

Met Joanna at a coffee hosted by neighbors, whose integrity and character I truly respect. Any candidate this couple chooses to support has, in essence, already been ethically vetted. I really wanted to meet the candidate they felt so strongly about.

After listening to Joanna and watching her interact with people, I came away knowing that she is a VERY POSITIVE, ENERGETIC, HARD-WORKING person who really CARES and LISTENS to her future constituents.
Vanraaphorst’s ENTHUSIASM and DETERMINATION are off the charts.

Voting for Joanna is something I am looking forward to doing!

I hope she wins!

Since I know Joanna, her values, her energy and her passion, my support was an absolute. Hearing so many former McMillan supporters dedicate their vote to her is a clear indicator that her values ring truer to members of this community than those of her opponent. For the few who indicated that they would vote with her opponent for the sole purpose of aligning with a party, I hope they have considered the local consequences. Local government has the most impact on commmunities, so I expect Rochester will vote VanRaaphorst.