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Bipartisan Board of Former Michigan Political Leaders on a Mission to Defend Democratic Norms

Former Governor John Engler, a Republican;. former Lt. Gov. John Cherry, a Democrat; former U.S. Congressman Mike Bishop, a Republican: and former Governor Jim Blanchard, a Democrat
Az Ibrahim
/
Democracy Defense Project
Former Governor John Engler, a Republican;. former Lt. Gov. John Cherry, a Democrat; former U.S. Congressman Mike Bishop, a Republican: and former Governor Jim Blanchard, a Democrat

Members of the Democracy Defense project recently visited Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park as guests of the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce.

The Democracy Defense project focuses on public trust in the electoral process.

“What we want to get away from is the idea that we’re doing this for one particular point of view, instead what’s the community need?”

Former Michigan Republican Governor John Engler maintains its investing in schools, improving test scores, producing a skilled workforce.

When it comes to politics, Engler is asking voters to consider leaders willing to bridge the partisan divide.

“Consensus means that we’ve got a general meeting of the minds. We’re going to be able to work out and not have a situation where somebody wins everything and everybody else loses everything. That’s not a solution. That’s not a formula for success.”

To that end, Engler and former Michigan Democratic Governor Jim Blanchard are promoting voter education along with transparency and trust in elections.

“They’re, by the way, managed by over 1,500 local city and township clerks, staffed by thousands of volunteers and our system should be respected.”

Combating mis and disinformation through public education are also priorities.

Former Democratic Lt. Governor John Cherry and Republican U.S. Congressman Mike Bishop are also members of the Michigan Democracy Defense project team.

Patrick joined WGVU Public Media in December, 2008 after eight years of investigative reporting at Grand Rapids' WOOD-TV8 and three years at WYTV News Channel 33 in Youngstown, Ohio. As News and Public Affairs Director, Patrick manages our daily radio news operation and public interest television programming. An award-winning reporter, Patrick has won multiple Michigan Associated Press Best Reporter/Anchor awards and is a three-time Academy of Television Arts & Sciences EMMY Award winner with 14 nominations.