HOLLAND (WHTC) – Republican presidential hopeful Rand Paul is seeking to drum up support in West Michigan. The U.S. senator from Kentucky visited Holland Saturday afternoon, meeting with supporters at Hops at 84 East and talking briefly to local media. Paul believes his message of liberty, simplifying the federal tax code and pursuing corrections reform measures will connect with local voters. For example, he has pushed for legislation changing federal forfeiture laws that now allow the government to take property, even if the person involved isn’t found guilty of any crime. A recent statewide poll showed Paul ninth in Michigan in the crowded GOP field, but that same poll shows him performing better in a head-to-head matchup with likely Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton than any other Republican. Paul was joined at the Holland event by U.S. Rep. Justin Amash of Grand Rapids, former state Rep. Joe Haveman of Holland and former Republican national committeeman Chuck Yob of Grand Rapids. Holland was the final stop on a four-city tour of Michigan for Paul on Saturday. He also met with supporters in Shelby Township, Flint and the Lansing area.
-Greg Chandler
