Congressman Riemersma?

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Via AnnArbor.com:

Jay Riemersma is drawing on his football past to generate support in his 2010 bid for a west Michigan congressional seat.

The former University of Michigan and NFL tight end announced today that former Wolverine coach Lloyd Carr will campaign on his behalf on Sept. 17. Stops are planned in Holland, Grand Haven and Grand Rapids.

Riemersma played at Zeeland High School before moving on to Michigan and then Buffalo and Pittsburgh in the NFL. He’s one of several Republicans seeking to replace Republican U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra of Holland, who’s running for governor.

Interesting a few levels.  First, that a former Michigan player is seeking office and swinging for the fences right off the bat.  He’s got a slick campaign website and Lloyd Carr will certainly give him a boost as the Coach seems to be increasingly revered as the days tick away.

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And while Carr is understandably supporting the man, most indications we have is that the our former leader leans very left, contrary his conservative mentor Bo Schembechler. 

I don’t talk about it much on these pages but I spent a couple summers on Capitol Hill, first working for Senator Donald Riegle, and later for a guy will be watching this campaign pretty closely:  Congressman Fred Upton (R) from the west side of Michigan as well.

Props to Riemersma to taking a shot at the show.

On the west side and want to support his run and maybe meet Coach Carr?  There are a couple events on September 17:  4:30-6:30 and 6:30-8:30.