Clearing the Air on "Conservative" Slander Against My Character and Record

By: Kenneth Lloyd

My race for Outreach Vice Chair was an incredibly exhiliarating experience. It was exciting to get out there and meet so many conservatives from around the state. I gained so much confidence and it has really inspired me to lead and continue my activism in the Michigan Republican Party for many years to come.

However, my experience was unfortunately tainted by dirty

Malissa Bossardet,  Shane Trejo, Michael Stroud, Nick Shaheen,
lead the way in support of Kenneth Lloyd

tricks that shocked and repulsed me. While I knew politics was a nasty business going in, I figured that my presence could unite people and give people an escape from a lot of the ugliness that continually stains our party and holds us back. I thought wrong, and most disconcertingly, the betrayal came from the people who I felt to be my brothers: the so-called conservative patriots. 

It first started when the Michigan Conservative Union Founder, Norm Hughes, backer of my opponent Thomas Norton, tried to convince me to drop out to support his candidate. Having respect for Norm because of his history in the conservative movement, I listened to his point of view and seriously considered the points that he made. Ultimately, I declined his offer and stayed in the race. I expected Norm to give me the same respect that I showed him. It was never returned.

Kenneth Lloyd with
Michigan Lt Gov Brian Calley

It soon became apparent that Norm was not my ally in any sense of the word. From sending me rude, discouraging messages to gossiping about me on social media, Norm's entire attitude flipped after it became clear I wouldn't bend to his will. Later on, "Trucker" Randy Bishop told me that I hadn't "paid my dues to the conservative cause" and pleaded with me to quit right as the campaign was heating up. From there, the rumor mill began to spin. A rumor began circulating that I was a supporter of the gas tax. Although we don't know exactly who started this underhanded whisper campaign against me, all signs point right back to Norm Hughes and Tom Norton.

Norm Hughes' newsletter floated a rumor that I was planning to drop out and support Tom Norton days before the State GOP Convention.

As Norm backstabbed me, he would smile to my face and condescendingly tell me how much he loved me and cared for me. In the very next moment, he would go back to his vicious smear campaign. After the initial vote was tallied, the run-off election was between my two opponents. Norton and Hughes actually had the audacity to expect me to support them after their sabotage efforts against me. I was expected

Kenneth Lloyd with Ronald Dwyer

to "do the right thing" (in their eyes) for the conservative cause, and put my support behind the folks who unfairly denied me equal opportunity to get elected (on the basis of my merit, not on the the basis of lies) to lead within the Michigan Republican Party.

On the other hand, I had never received any pressure from the Soltis campaign nor observed any funny business being conducted by them. They just put forward a positive message and presented why their candidate was the right man for the job. Although I thought my political views to be more similar to Norton's when I entered the campaign, Soltis' honorable nature caused me and my campaign to throw our full weight behind them during the run-off election. In fact, I was impressed by the graciousness of the many moderates who supported my efforts alongside the liberty warriors who got my campaign off the ground. I am very stunned and encouraged by the coalition forming around me.

After the campaign, the lies and the smears about me continued from these supposed patriots. Trucker Randy posted a Facebook message indicating that I was somehow a turncoat for the conservative cause because I didn't back Norton in the run-off election. It was capstoned by a message from Norton himself containing distortions, regarding our correspondence between each other:

This was Tom Norton's post-election smear attempt to defame me amongst conservatives.

Apparently Norton and Hughes thought I could be bullied, manipulated and used as a pawn by them in their deceitful bid for power. They were incorrect. Honor and integrity matters too much for me to reward these efforts with any kind of support. Nevertheless, I am grateful for this eye-opener about the nature of politics and why it is so necessary for me to become a leader in the Michigan conservative movement in the first place. There is a lot of lost ground to make up.

Lt Gov Brian Calley, Hank Fuhs (back) Kenneth Lloyd (front), Lena Epstien
and State Representative Shane Hernandez 

I congratulate Mr. Soltis for running his campaign with honor and integrity unlike Thomas Norton’s campaign. I was happy to get behind him in the run-off election, and would be happy to help him with his outreach efforts moving forward if he is so obliged. Additionally, I appreciate Lieutenant Governor Brian Calley and State Rep. Shane Hernandez for giving my nomination speeches in a great display of party unity. Thanks to Michael Stroud for being so kind and devoting so much of his time and energy to my campaign. Thanks as well to Lt Governor Brian Calley, Shane Hernandez, Malissa Bossardet, Eric Bond, Shane Trejo, Nick Shaheen, Tami Carlone, Carlo Malaie, Shelly Gregoire, Dennis Marburger, Lena Epstein, Ron Dwyer and many others for fighting so hard beside me to make my dreams come true. You haven't heard the last from me.

-Ken

*The views expressed in this editorial may or may not reflect the views and opinions of  Ron Dwyer or that of Setting The Record Straight.  Opposing views are welcomed.

Ok Here We Go Again In Oakland County

On Thursday October 22nd of this month, the Oakland County

Michigan Republican Party Executive Committee had its meeting.  I was there as a proxy voter.  The meeting ran smoothly and two individuals were elected unanimously without challengers to fill two vacant seats.  It ran smoothly even with White Lake State Representative Jim Tedder speaking about the revenue shuffle and tax increases for our roads.  I too joined the chorus of boos when Tedder spoke of why he voterd for the tax.

After Tedder spoke,  fellow Executive Member Tom Llewellyn was given the floor, as per the agenda, to speak on energy issues.  This was the last item on the agenda and all other items on the agenda were complete. Lewellyn began to speak and discovered, some changes occurring in Lansing as he found out from calling out to Waterford State Representative, Jim Runstead (who should be applauded for his no vote on the road tax increase) who was also in attendance.   Lewellyn then tried to refer his time to another Executive Committee member Eric Bond of Ferndale.   This was not part of the agenda and since Llewellyn gave up his time, the Chair Theresa Mungioli used privileged adjournment to close the meeting.  It was as simple as that.

After the meeting it was discovered that Bond wanted discuss the Oakland County Republican Party's e-mails in which the Oakland County Republican Party listed local candidates that were seeking help looking for walkers for their campaigns.   Bond felt that this was a violation of the Oakland County Republican By-Laws.   This was the provision in the bylaws that question:

Section 10.4: Exceptions In the exceptional circumstance where an endorsement will significantly benefit the Republican Party in Oakland County, the Executive Committee may endorse, support or disavow an individual candidate in a contested Republican or non-partisan special election, Republican or non-partisan primary election, a non-partisan general election, or in a judicial election provided that a motion to endorse or disavow a particular candidate be adopted by two-thirds (2/3) of the Executive Committee present and voting, and provided further that notice of consideration of the motion is given as provided in Article 11. Section 11.3, with the consent of the candidate whose endorsement is proposed.

Bond's concern was that the Oakland County Republican Party was endorsing or supporting certain Republican candidates over other Republican candidates in non-partisan races.   

This was NOT the case with the Oakland Republican Party. The Oakland County Republican Party merely listed the contact information for those asking for assistance walking their campaigns.  The Oakland Party obliged by listing their information.

Any Republican candidate had the same opportunity to have their information e-mail blasted out.  In no way did the Oakland County Republican Party endorse or give special favor to any of those candidates.  Using the City of Troy for example all 3 candidates received the same treatment and there was no endorsement.

Would it be a violation of Oakland County Republican Party by-laws to have signs dropped off at their location?  There are numerous signs from additional candidates that did not ask for walk help but asked that their signs be dropped off at the Oakland County Republican Headquarters.  Using the same logic that if sending an e-mail out for help candidates is a by-law violation, wouldn't it be the same as a candidate asking for help having their signs stored and picked up by campaign volunteers at Oakland County Republican Headquarters?

Now over something as small as a simple e-mail that contained no endorsements and intent of favoritism over one candidate versus another, we now have a nasty political blog written by an another Oakland County Executive Board Member filled with inaccuracies with a headline saying the chair had a "bizarre meltdown" which was not that case, again I was there.    The blogger also uses his blog to try to bully the chair but using an extra large photo of her with the text "Unfit to Lead, Unfit to Serve".

If perhaps Llewellyn and Bond approached the situation differently in a more calm matter and addressed the chair at the appropriate time of the agenda rather than do a bate and switch we wouldn't have all this turmoil and all these inaccuracies especially from that blogger.  

The Oakland County Chairwoman Theresa Mungioli will allow all sides to have their say but at the right time and right manner.  She is no different that most any other chair who would do the same.

As I have stated before, I was not sure about Theresa when she first became Chairwoman in the 9th District during the 2011-2013 term, of which I was a committee member.  However she did prove herself to be fair.  Did we agree on everything? No.  Was every battle won?  No.  But she gave everyone equal opportunity. 

Most thought  that Theresa Mungioli  proved herself she met with Bob and Regina Brim to work out the resolution regarding "Civil Asset Forfeiture" .  There was a lot of distrust in the beginning because the resolution did not make the agenda at first.  It wasn't because the resolution was bad, it was the wording that was.  Mungioli met with the Brims in her office to work out the resolution so it would pass the Oakland County Republican Party Issues Committee and make it to the agenda, which it did and passed.

It is a shame that we have this turmoil again over someone's twisting of an e-mail.

One of the main purposes of the Oakland Country Republican Party is to help with candidate recruitment.  These include candidates for local office.  Should the Oakland County Republican Party no longer offer advice to new candidates running for what is called non-partisan (but really isn't) political offices such as school board and/or city council? Watch how fast all the cities in Oakland County become 100% Democrat controlled when that happens.

 The party office is there to offer intellectual knowledge support to any Republican candidate.  Offering to share knowledge equally among all candidates that ask is not an endorsement or being supportive of one candidate.