By K. Michelle Moran
C & G Staff Writer

DETROIT — Local Republicans are hoping Victory in the Pointes translates into victory in November for their candidates.

Party leaders and candidates were on hand Sept. 7 for the grand opening of their campaign office at 17329 Mack Ave. in Detroit — just down the street from their Democratic rivals. The opening coincided with Victory in the Pointes weekend, a communitywide celebration now in its second year.

Tom McCleary, vice chair of the Eastside Republicans, said the office will serve all of the Republican candidates, from presidential contender Sen. John McCain and his vice presidential running mate, Sarah Palin, to local races such as Wayne County Commission candidate Eric Turin and Mary Treder Lang, who’s running for state representative in District 1. Turin will face Democratic incumbent County Commissioner Tim Killeen in November, while Treder Lang — running to fill the seat being vacated by term-limited Republican incumbent state Rep. Edward Gaffney — will square off against Democratic candidate Tim Bledsoe.

“It’s tremendously important to keep this seat,” said Gaffney, throwing his support behind Treder Lang. “This is our stronghold.”

Just back from the Republican National Convention in St. Paul, Minn., David Haugan of Harper Woods and Shirley Hanna Nagel of Grosse Pointe Farms said Palin especially impressed them. Haugan, a convention delegate, called the vice presidential candidate “a genuine person (who) sincerely wants to represent the people.”

“We enjoyed the time there,” Haugan said. “It was a good opportunity to meet with our fellow delegates from across Michigan and (the nation).”

Among the candidates on hand for the opening was Ed Gubics, who hopes to unseat 13th Congressional District Rep. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick, the incumbent. Gubics, a Detroit native who now lives in Wyandotte, said he and Cheeks Kilpatrick differ on many issues. For example, he said he’s an endowment level member of the National Rifle Association and “as pro-life as a person can be.” Still, despite the hit Cheeks Kilpatrick suffered during the primary as a result of the legal troubles of her son — ousted Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick — Gubics knows it won’t be an easy race.

“I have my work cut out for me,” Gubics said.

Turin — a past Gaffney campaign manager who held the same title during Treder Lang’s race for the primary — is focused on his own campaign now, vowing if elected he’ll “stem the tide of outbound dollars” from the district. He’s as quick to praise Treder Lang as he is to discuss his own race, though, saying that she’ll continue Gaffney’s efforts and eradicate the pop-up home tax and the Michigan business tax.

Treder Lang said cutting taxes — income as well as property — and getting rid of what she called the “crippling” business tax are among her priorities. She said her business background would be helpful in Lansing.

“If we are able to reduce taxes, we’re able to put more money in our pockets and stimulate the economy,” she said. “Being a conservative spender and a CPA, I never spend (money) unless I have it. We’re going to get rid of the wasteful spending and make departments and agencies more accountable for spending.”

The local office is expected to be a hub of activity over the next couple of months, as the candidates prepare for what are expected to be some close contests in November.

The Republican office is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Although it’s a place for people to get lawn signs and volunteers to work the phones, Turin said anyone from the community is welcome to stop by and ask questions or pick up literature.

“This is for the people. Being on Mack is critical,” said Turin of the visible central location, across the street from the Grosse Pointe City Staples office supply story.

For more information, call the office at (313) 886-7900 or visit www.eastside-republican-club.org.