Democrat Doesn't Want Michigan Republicans to Hear Trump

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As Republicans fume about what to do about outspoken presidential contender Donald Trump, a call on Michigan GOP leaders to rescind his invitation to speak next month at a party fundraiser is coming from a top Democrat.

Genesee and Saginaw county Republicans who have booked Trump as the keynote speaker for Aug. 11 Lincoln Day dinner in Birch Run expect the event to sell out. The flamboyant businessman is leading in New Hampshire and closing the gap in Iowa, both key early voting states.

Michigan Democratic Party Chairman Brandon Dillon told The Grand Rapids Press Trump’s “shameful comments are a slap in the face to Michigan’s Latino communities and large veterans population.”

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• Michigan GOP Won’t Dump Trump for Keynote Speech

“Michigan Republicans should denounce his comments and rescind their invite for Mr. Trump to headline a fundraising dinner,” said Dillon, who is also a state representative who represents Grand Rapids. “Neither party should use xenophobia and exclusion to raise money.”

Tickets went on sale last week for the event, to be at the Birch Run Expo Center, 1160 North Beyer Road, in the village of Birch Run, and are available for $25 each. The doors open at 6 p.m. and the event begins at 7.

Also on Patch:

• Donald Trump Leads In New Hampshire, Closing Gap In Iowa: Polls

Trump’s incendiary comments about immigrants have been particularly problematic for the National Republican Party, whose 2012 “autopsy” report called for a $10 million outreach effort to Latinos, African-Americans and Asians.

“If we want ethnic minority voters to support Republicans, we have to engage them, and show our sincerity,” according to the Growth and Opportunity Project, a four-month examination of Republicans crushing losses in the polls in the 2012 election.

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Helene Wiltse, a former Saginaw County GOP chairwoman, thinks Trump could have been “a little nicer” when discussing his views on immigration.

“I don’t think he’s gone about it the right way,” Wiltse, who supports the candidacy of Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, told The Saginaw News. “But I think he may pull some people.”

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Photo by Gage Skidmore via Flickr