Speculation is swirling about who will go hand-in-hand with Rick Snyder on the GOP ticket in his bid for the governor’s seat. One name that keeps popping up is Mid-Michigan’s Patty Birkholz
The Saugatuck Republican now has an empty dance card since she is being term-limited from her state senator’s seat this year. Gongwer News reports she was slightly coy when asked about whether she had been contacted by Snyder’s campaign.
"Obviously it's an honor to be considered on any list whether it's speculation or real," she said. "Whatever I can do to help the new administration, obviously I'd be very pleased to do that."
As chair of the Senate Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs Committee, Birkholz could help shore up Snyder’s support among environmentalists as well as increase support in West Michigan. Certainly having a woman on the ticket could broaden its appeal to female voters -- especially in a year when Republican “mama grizzlies” are winning race after race nationwide.
Other names being considered are Sen. Jason Allen, a Republican from Alanson, Meijer CEO Mark Murray and former Senate Majority Leader Ken Sikkema.
