Michigan journalist and podcast host James David Dickson will address the Eastside Republican Club Tuesday, Nov. 19, with a forward-looking message.

Dickson’s topic “Morning again in Michigan: What to expect in 2025,” will focus on state and local affairs in light of 2024 General Election results.

Tuesday’s presentation will be at The War Memorial, 32 Lake Shore Road, Grosse Pointe Farms. Forum doors open for coffee and networking at 7 p.m.

“Mr. Dickson is a skilled journalist and blogger with keen insight into Michigan’s changing voting patterns, so we look forward to hearing his thoughts on the election impact,” said club chairman Mike Vethacke in a statement in advance of the meeting.

There is no charge for the Forum, which will include an opportunity to ask questions of Dickson.

GOP candidates Martell Bivings and Griffin Wojtowicz will speak at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 15, to the Eastside Republican Club at The War Memorial, 32 Lake Shore Rd., Grosse Pointe Farms.

Bivings is campaigning to represent the 13^th U.S. Congressional District and Wojtowicz is a candidate for State House of Representatives District 10. Though with different boundaries, both districts span all or part of the Pointes, Harper Woods and a portion of Detroit. The congressional district also includes several downriver communities.

“Both races involve unique circumstances,”said club chairman Mike Vethacke.

Richard T. Shetler, Jr., chairman of the Eastside Republican Club-Political Action Committee, has announced the group’s annual fundraiser set for 6 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 4, at the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club.

The Yacht Club is located at 788 Lake Shore Road, Grosse Pointe Shores.

The fundraising dinner will feature former congressman Mike Rogers currently Republican candidate for U.S. Senate.

Rogers was born and raised in Livingston County, is an Army veteran and former FBI agent.

He served in Congress where was chairman of the House Intelligence Committee and among the first to sound the alarm on economic and national security dangers posed by China.

He fought Chinese efforts to steal American intellectual property, particularly working to protect Michigan’s auto industry.

Join TrumpForce and local candidates for a Vice Presidential Debate watch party to rally with fellow supporters behind the Trump/Vance team starting at 8 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 1, Grosse Pointe HQ, 21155 Mack Ave, corner of Brys Dr, Grosse Pointe Woods.

Please RSVP at this link:

https://app.trumpforce47.com/event/vice-presidential-debate-grosse-pointe-5842

Tom McMillin, member of the Michigan State Board of Education since 2016, speaks to the Eastside Republican Club Forum in Grosse Pointe Farms on Tuesday, Sept. 17.

McMillian will address public education funding, COVID “learning loss” experienced by students and other issues.

The 7:30 p.m. forum is open to the public and will be held at The War Memorial, 32 Lake Shore Road, Grosse Pointe Farms. Forum doors open for coffee and networking at 7 p.m.

McMillin served six years in the Michigan House of Representative where he was chairman of the House Oversight committee, the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules and the House Education committee. McMillin was reelected twice and served until term limited in 2014.

Join TrumpForce and local candidates for a Presidential Debate watch party to rally with fellow supporters behind President Trump starting at 8 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 10, Grosse Pointe HQ, 21155 Mack Ave, corner of Brys Dr, Grosse Pointe Woods.

This is your chance to energize the movement and connect with local candidates who need your support this November! Don't miss out on the action – be part of the excitement! Make a difference!

Please RSVP at this link:
https://app.trumpforce47.com/event/presidential-debate-watch-party-grosse-pointe-3926

 Meet and greet with local candidates begins at 8 p.m. followed by the debate at 9 p.m. Food and drinks provided! 

Griffin Wojtowicz installs signage for the ERC’s Mack Ave. campaign office in Grosse Pointe Woods in advance of the Friday, Aug. 16, Grand Opening. He is the Republican candidate for Representative in the State Legislature, 10th District. The newly drawn 10th District includes Harper Woods, a portion of Detroit and all but two precincts of the five Grosse Pointes.

“Michigan is the Great Lakes state. Nothing will show off that better than a massive MAGA boat parade,” said Rosanne Ponkowski, speaking on behalf of boat parade sponsor, Michigan Conservative Coalition headquartered in Walled Lake.

The Lake St. Clair/Detroit River parade will launch from the 28-story Shore Club highrise, locally known as "9 Mile Tower," at the foot of Nine Mile Rd near Jefferson Ave. on Lake Saint Clair. Launch time is set for 1 p.m.

The parade will head down to Hart Plaza with additional watercraft joining as the flotilla passes marinas along the route. Expected arrival is 4 p.m.

Lake-side breezes and Patterson Park shade promise to welcome Eastside Republican Club members and guests gathering for their 22nd annual summer picnic at 1 p.m., Sunday, June 9.

“All are welcome, but help us plan for the food by RSVP,” ERC chair Mike Vethacke said. The ERC can be contacted using email, phone call, text, or message to (313) 466-1345.

The Sunday event will run from 1 to 4 p.m.

Sandy Pensler, attorney, businessman and candidate for the U.S. Senate, will speak at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 16, to the Eastside Republican Club at The War Memorial, 32 Lake Shore Rd., Grosse Pointe Farms.

Pensler is campaigning for the GOP U.S. Senate nomination. Winner of the August 6 primary will compete in Nov. 5, General election balloting.

“Sandy Pensler is described as a ‘turnaround specialist’ and wants to contribute to the country's turnaround,” said club chairman Mike Vethacke in a statement in advance of the meeting.

"The American experiment is in big trouble. It's burning. I believe we can turn it around, but we need to apply basic morals, take responsibility, and fight like hell," said Pensler in a campaign announcement.

Michigan Supreme Court Justice David F. Viviano and Court candidate Andrew Fink address the Eastside Republican Club Forum at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 19, at The War Memorial, 32 Lake Shore Rd., Grosse Pointe Farms.

“We look forward to hearing about Justice Viviano’s work on the Michigan Supreme Court and from Andrew Fink who is campaigning for election to a seat on Michigan’s ‘court of last resort,’” said ERC chairman Mike Vethacke in advance of the Forum.

Michigan’s seven justices are elected for 8-year, staggered terms so that at least one seat is on the ballot every two years. Candidates for the court are nominated by political parties and elected on a nonpartisan ballot.

Forum doors open at 7 p.m. for coffee and networking in advance of the meeting. There is no charge for the Forum, which will include an opportunity to ask questions.

Rylee Linting, Michigan Republican Party Youth Vice Chair, will speak at Tuesday, Feb. 20, to the Eastside Republican Club at The War Memorial, 32 Lake Shore Rd., Grosse Pointe Farms.

Also on the program will be Ben Estell who serves as chairman, Young Americans for Freedom on the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor campus.

“We look forward to hearing about these leaders’ success in recruiting college-age and other young people for service in Republican campaigns and how we can assist in that effort,” said Eastside Republican chairman Mike Vethacke in a statement in advance of the meeting.

Forum doors open at 7 p.m. for coffee and networking in advance of the meeting. There is no charge for the Forum, which will include an opportunity for asking questions.

Linting and Estell will be joined by Dr. Rob Steele, Michigan’s GOP national committeeman and member of the Republican National Committee. First elected to the RNC in 2016, Steele has worked as a cardiologist since 1987.

The ERC invites area students and young people to learn ways to connect with others to engage in meaningful civic activities on their own campus or in their local community.

Patrick Colbeck, engineer, State Senator, entrepreneur and author, will speak at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 16, to the Eastside Republican Club at The War Memorial, 32 Lake Shore Rd., Grosse Pointe Farms.

Colbeck, the author, has applied his analytical talent to release his latest book, The 2020 Coup: What Happened. What We Can Do.

MIGOP's 2023 Christmas Party at Sindbad's on the river in Detroit!

The event will be at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 12, at Sindbad's Restaurant and Marina, 100 Saint Clair St on Detroit’s east side.

“You won't want to miss this year’s 13th Congressional District GOP Christmas Gala and Silent Auction!” says Cheryl Costantino, Chairman of Michigan’s 13th GOP District in her invitation. This year’s event will be a combined affair with the MIGOP State Committee.

USA Today journalist Ingrid Jacques joins Detroit News writer Kaitlyn Buss at the Eastside Republican Club podium on Tuesday, Nov. 21, at The War Memorial. The forum begins at 7:30 p.m.

James David Dickson, managing editor of Michigan Capitol Confidential, a daily news site of the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, will address the Eastside Republican Club Tuesday, Oct. 17. .

Dickson will help clarify issues surrounding a growing movement to circumvent the Electoral College, officially the “National Popular Vote Interstate Compact.”

The presentation will be at The War Memorial, 32 Lake Shore Road, Grosse Pointe Farms. Forum doors open for coffee and networking at 7 p.m.

P.A.C.’s annual fundraiser is set for 6 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 5, at the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club.

The fundraising dinner will feature an election victory strategy discussion led by Valor America Super PAC President Joe Arlinghaus and Oakland County GOP Chairman R. Vance Patrick.

The fall 2023 ERC kick off forum with Bill Ballenger is set for Tuesday, Sept. 19, at The War Memorial, 32 Lake Shore Road, Grosse Pointe Farms.

Ballenger is founder and former editor of Lansing-based Inside Michigan Politics newsletter for 27 years when in 2016 he created his online Ballenger Report and now produces a weekly podcast.

He previously served as a Republican member of both the Michigan House of Representatives and the State Senate.

It’s always a great opportunity to meet and talk with friends and office holders in an informal setting. Pictured is the June 2022 event.

Randall Thompson, founder and managing partner of Pulse Communications, speaks to the Eastside Republican Club Forum on Tuesday, May 16, at The War Memorial, 32 Lake Shore Road, Grosse Pointe Farms.

An insider who has worked in the highest level of state and federal politics for more than two decades, Thompson will address what he sees as the future path for Michigan GOP to gain seats in the legislature and election to key statewide executive offices.

The 7:30 p.m. forum is open to the public. Forum doors open for coffee and networking at 7 p.m.

Thompson has served as chief of staff for members in both the Michigan House of Representatives and the U.S. Congress. Additionally, he has served as spokesman and communications director for the Michigan Attorney General and Secretary of State.

Outside of public service, the Michigan native served as Midwest director for a major Washington D.C.-based issue advocacy organization, campaigning for lower taxes, less government and more freedom.

Thompson’s firm, Pulse Communications LLC, offers a full array of consulting for state, federal and issue campaigns, specializing in message development, communication and social media.

Award-winning Detroit News auto columnist Henry Payne will speak to the Eastside Republican Club 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 18, at The War Memorial.

Mike Vethacke, ERC chairman, cited Payne’s wide-ranging talents in a statement in advance of the meeting.

“Mr. Payne is a student of history, closely follows current events and now drives and writes about electric vehicles, so we are eager to get his perspective,” Vethacke said.

“The Forum is open to the public at no charge, so we invite everyone to hear Mr. Payne and to ask questions.” Forum doors open at 7 p.m. for coffee and networking in advance of the meeting.

Payne’s coverage for The News includes vehicle reviews, product trends and breaking auto news. He’s won multiple awards for his car columns, including the SPJ Excellence in Journalism prize.

He has written for The Wall Street Journal, National Review, New York Post, Washington Times and other outlets.

Payne is also an active race driver at the helm of a vintage Lola.

Steve A. Delie, Mackinac Center director of labor policy, speaks to the Eastside Republican Club Forum in Grosse Pointe Farms on Tuesday, March 21.

The 7:30 p.m. forum is open to the public and will be held at The War Memorial, 32 Lake Shore Road, Grosse Pointe Farms. There is no charge to attend.

Dr. Rob Steele, Michigan’s Republican National Committeeman, will talk about Michigan’s new GOP leadership and the GOP majority in the U.S. House as he addresses the Eastside Republican Club Forum at 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 21, at The War Memorial, 32 Lake Shore Road.

First elected in 2016, the Ann Arbor cardiologist serves the RNC as Michigan’s National Committeeman.

Hear Prof. Chris Kobus talk about ‘Electrification to Nowhere’ and other hot issues, 7:30 pm Tues, Jan 17, The War Memorial. Kobus is director of engineering and energy education, Oakland University

Celebrate with us at the Wayne County Republican Committee’s 2022 Holiday Gala at the Detroit Yacht Club

Eastside Republican Club

General Election Day in Michigan. Polls open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. for all elections.