A Message From Senate Majority Leader Ken Sikkema

Saul,

I am writing to express my thanks, as well as my full support and endorsement for you to continue as chairman of the Michigan Republican Party.

As you well know, the 2006 election cycle was one of the toughest and certainly the most expensive the Senate Republicans have ever had to endure. The Senate Democrats and the Michigan Democratic Party, in conjunction with Kalamazoo billionaire Jon Stryker, were able to pour money into battleground seats like I have never seen.

The national, state and local climates were very negative toward Republicans, as evidenced by what's been correctly identified as the Democratic tsunami of 2006. I stood with you in the early morning hours of Nov. 8 watching one Republican institution after another fall. When the dust cleared, the Michigan Senate was the last institution left standing with Republicans at the helm.

Our victory could not have been accomplished without every member of the team giving their all, and I wanted to thank you for your efforts on our behalf.

Under your leadership, the Michigan Republican Party provided the highest level of financial support the Senate Republicans have received in decades. When you weren't helping to raise money to directly help us, you were steering donors our way. You helped the team match and surpass the spending of the Democrats and the Stryker family.

On the ground, you and your team worked shoulder-to-shoulder with Senate Republicans at the Victory Centers. You proved time and again that you were willing to get the real work of campaigning completed.

Whenever we asked you for help you were there. Plus, you often came up with even more ways you could assist us beyond what we were asking.

You were a critical member of the team that helped maintain a Republican majority in the Michigan Senate against what appeared to be insurmountable odds. That was no small task given how many Republicans are now in the minority across the country.

Thank you again for your efforts.

Sincerely,



Ken Sikkema