FRIENDS IN HIGH PLACES

When looking to get support for a leadership position, it doesn’t hurt to know people in high places. State Rep. Matt “Mad Dog” Maddock (R-Milford) really, really wants to be the next leader of the state House – so badly, he’s turned to the Big Dog of the current Republican Party himself, former President Donald Trump, who recently issued his endorsement. “I am with you all the way,” Trump appeared to have handwritten on a copy of a Detroit News story about “Outspoken Trump backer Matt Maddock running for Michigan House leader. “And you have a great wife,” Trump wrote, along with is signature, in his classic Sharpie. Maddock’s wife is Meshawn Maddock, co-chair of the Michigan Republican Party. The couple are staunch Trumpsters, having assisted the former President in attempting to overturn 2020 Michigan election results, including unsuccessfully attempting to seat an “alternate slate” of electors but were denied entry into the Michigan Capitol. They both attended the January 6 rally, but left prior to the insurrection. Maddock thanked Trump on social media, writing, “We won’t let you down.” It’s too soon to know if the Republicans will win control of the state House in the 2022 election, after dominating it for decades. With redistricting in the hands of an independent commission, Democrats are hopeful they can flip control. If so, Maddock’s efforts would be for naught. Even if the GOP retains control, there are three other candidates for the House leadership spot, including state Rep. Matt Hall (R-Marshall) who claims that he already has the backing of 15 other state Reps. Hall out raised Maddock by well over $100,000 in the last quarter and is considered the favorite for the post.