And then there were 10… (Guest: Buzz Thomas)

The Republican culture wars was on full, ugly display in Michigan this week…and denounced by one of its targets. State Senator Mallory McMorrow’s floor speech responding to Senator Lana Theis’ fundraising email insinuation that McMorrow was “grooming” children for a life of sexual exploitation went viral with 10-million views and national media attention.   Also this week: 10 Republicans filed signatures for a place on the gubernatorial primary ballot. Who benefits most from a crowded field?    Joining the conversation this week is veteran communications consultant and former state legislator Buzz Thomas of Detroit. He is the founder and CEO of Thomas Group Consulting. Thomas spent 14 years in the Michigan legislature – the maximum allowed under term limits – including serving as Democratic Floor Leader in the Senate and as Democratic Leader in the House. He was co-chairman of the 2008 Michigan Presidential campaign of Barack Obama.  

In 2013 he founded and co-chaired Turnaround Detroit, the Super PAC credited with electing Mike Duggan Detroit’s mayor. While serving, his expertise in the areas of healthcare, education reform, business development incentives and arts and culture, a personal passion led to the creation of rigorous academic standards for Michigan schools and creation of tax incentive laws that helped spur development in Detroit.

His success in the legislature led to more than two-dozen leadership awards, ranging from being named the legislator of the year by the Michigan Association of Regions to earning the Peacemaker Award from Wayne State University.