Fundraiser a Huge Success

What a great night. We had our first fundraiser at the Franke's home on Thursday night. We had beautiful weather, a great setting, and Tom and Marsha are wonderful hosts.

The generosity of our supporters is astounding. We exceeded our goals for dollars raised for the night and the attendance for the event surpassed our hopes and expectations. Excitement is really growing for our campaign and I truly appreciate the strong and deep support so many are showing.

With the success of this event, our total dollars raised for this campaign has now topped $53,000. This certainly isn't the end, but it is well ahead of where we hoped to be at this time.

I was asked by many supporters at this event how things were going. I had to respond that I just don't know what more we could ask for. Many commented on the hard work they're seeing our campaign doing. I'm grateful they are noticing the dedication and effort we are pouring into this campaign, but I'm even more thankful for the many volunteers and contributors who continue to help and support us.

We're running strong but this is a long race. With help and support like this, though, it will continue to be a great and successful experience. Together we can bring the Right Priorities to Lansing.

2,500 Voters and Growing

Last night we were joined by 4 Albion College Republicans as we knocked on doors and listened to voters in the 63rd District.

These guys all worked hard and we all had a great night. Not only was the weather beautiful (I'm glad to no longer be campaigning in snow boots!), but voters were very supportive.

With their hard work we hit the doors of a couple of hundred voters last night. They helped bring our total voters' doors hit to over 2,500. Thanks guys!

We're certainly hearing that voters are worried about jobs. I'm glad voters are saying that as someone who started a small business I have the Right Experience to go to Lansing to work for jobs for our community.

The families in our neighborhoods are incredibly nice and gracious. A cold glass of water was very nice and very generous on the warm night.

I am thoroughly enjoying meeting the hard working families throughout our area. If we've not hit your door yet, we will stop by soon! If you can join us in this fun experience, please let us know by sending a note to our Campaign Headquarters (click here).

I look forward to seeing you soon!

State Rep. Kevin Green Endorses Bolger

This weekend State Rep. Kevin Green offered his endorsement and made a financial contribution to our campaign.

Representative Green’s support is notable because he currently serves as the Republican Caucus Whip and serves on the House Republican Campaign Committee.

Representative Green joins Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop, and State Reps Mike Nofs and Brian Calley (who is the Chairman of the House Republican Campaign Committee) in helping our campaign.

I continue to be humbled by the strong support so many people are offering so early in this race. It means so much that people agree that I have the Right Experience and the Right Priorities to serve Michigan well.

Bolger Earns Unanimous Support in Kalamazoo County

All Township Supervisors in District Endorse Bolger for State Representative

For Immediate Release

Marshall, MI—Kalamazoo business owner and Calhoun County Commissioner Jase Bolger, R-Marshall, has earned the unanimous support of the township supervisors in Kalamazoo County as he runs for State Representative in the 63^rd District to replace term limited Representative Lorence Wenke, R-Galesburg.

Mr. Bolger stated, “I am humbled by the broad based and bi-partisan support I have received in the townships throughout this district. Each of these leaders comes from a different background and very different townships. I have gone door to door in every precinct in this district, got stuck in the snow, and traveled 200 miles last Saturday alone to listen to the concerns of voters and local leaders throughout the district. I sincerely appreciate their confidence and support. It means a lot to me personally that they feel I have the right experience and the right priorities to represent the voters and improve Michigan.”

In explaining his support, Pavilion Township Supervisor, Pat White, said, “Jase’s background as someone who started a successful small business is unique. He has already shown he is a hard worker and will listen to the voters. It’s a bit unusual for this many people to endorse this early in the race; but we believe Jase can do a great job for us as our State Representative.”

Lee Philport, Brady Township Supervisor, agreed and added, “Jase started a business in Kalamazoo County more than a decade ago. That commitment to our community is important to me. In fact, he travels every day from one end of our district to the other. We didn’t give him this support, he earned it. His experience is unique and I think he will continue to be dedicated to our district all day and every night.”

Gene Hamaker, Marshall Township Supervisor, had encouraged fellow supervisors support Bolger saying, “Jase listens not only to our board but to our citizens. He shows real common sense, returns phone calls, responds to concerns, and most importantly he delivers results for our citizens.”

Bolger concluded, “This support means so much to me. Several other township elected officials have also offered their endorsement, support, and help. Our township officials represent government that is closest to the people. It is important for me to listen to their concerns, and I am thrilled that they support me in this race. I’d like to thank each official for their support, and note that individual voters hold the most valuable support. I’ll continue to knock on doors, meet with and listen to voters, and hope to earn their vote on August 5^th.”

Background Information:

The 63^rd House District spans portions of Kalamazoo and Calhoun Counties. The elected officials endorsing Jase Bolger cover each township in the Kalamazoo County portion of the district and specifically include:

Alan Bussema, R, Richland Township

Jeff Bither, R, Ross Township

Tim Hudson, D, Comstock Township

Fran Bell, R, Charleston Township

Pat White, R, Pavilion Township

Phyllis Simmons, R, Climax Township

David Taylor, R, Wakeshma Township

Lee Philport, R, Brady Township

Don Ulsh, R, Schoolcraft Township

Jase Bolger is 37, and married to his high school sweetheart, Molly. Together they are raising two wonderful children: Nick (13) and Megan (12) in Marshall. In 1996 Bolger started a small business, Summit Credit Services, in Kalamazoo, which offers telephone support services nationally to Fortune 100 companies. He was first elected Calhoun County Commissioner in 2004 and re-elected in 2006. Mr. Bolger has been an active volunteer in the community. He has served on committees of the Kalamazoo Area Chamber of Commerce and Marshall Area Chamber of Commerce. He has previously served as a Cub Scout leader, soccer and little league coach as well as a Junior Achievement volunteer and mentor for the Kalamazoo Area Academic Achievement Program. Mr. Bolger is a member of the Marshall Rotary and is an active parishioner at St. Mary Church. He has a Bachelor’s of Business Administration Degree from Western Michigan University with majors in finance and political science.

Door to Door in Snow Boots

Steve, my campaign manager, and I were just as surprised as everyone else at how long spring is taking to arrive! But, when it comes to meeting voters we sure weren’t going to let a little snow stand in our way.

OK, as I had to push Steve’s car after we got stuck I realized it wasn’t just a little snow!

For the past 3 weeks we’ve been going door to door and talking to voters throughout the entire district. In fact, we’ve talked to voters in every precinct in the district, and found some very long driveways along the way. This past Saturday we drove 200 miles to talk to voters from Marshall to Schoolcraft and everywhere in between. I just think it’s that important to meet voters, look families in the eyes and listen to their concern and their desires.

I have been thrilled at the support voters have already offered me. We’re building our list of yard sign locations so we can come back in the summer and supporters can proudly display their support of our campaign. It has certainly been clear that jobs and the economy is the main concern on voters’ minds.

I am so glad they feel that as someone who started a small business I have the right experience to go to work for their family in Lansing. I look forward to each day that gives me a chance to meet more voters and talk to more people.