My friend, Eric Doster, is running for the 4th District Court of Appeals, Bill Schuette's district.  Judge Schuette is an awesome guy and a strong conservative.  He's stepping down and miiiiight just have his sights set on an Attorney General's run in 2010.  Thus, a vacant judicial seat here in 2008.

Yesterday Judge Schuette made an endorsement in the race.  Eric Doster got the nod.  I actually drove out to Lansing last night to make a few hours' worth of Get-Out-The-Vote (GOTV) phone calls to likely GOP primary voters.  I had a chance to speak with Eric and he was thrilled to have received the biggest endorsement of the season.  The official statement:

"It's a privilege to receive the support and encouragement from Judge Schuette.  Given the distinguished and proud record of service that Schuette has given our state, Michigan needs a tough Judge to follow in his footsteps. As a judge, Bill Schuette exemplified the proper role of the judiciary, to strictly interrupt the laws of our land, not make them.  Schuette has given so much to Michigan in his twenty-two years of public service.  Michigan families are thankful.   I am humbled by Schuette's endorsement along with the support of so many as the campaign for the 4th Court of Appeals continues."

I can't say enough about Eric.  If you live in the mammoth 4th (geographically it really is most of the state) remember that name when you head to the polls.  The CoA is on the non-partisan portion of the ballot so even though Eric is a strong, pro-second amendment, pro-life, pro-family husband and father of three young daughters who found himself the target of a grammatically challenged MichLib hit piece earlier this week (alone usually enough to earn my vote) he's not wearing a big "R" this time out.  

In other words, DON'T SKIP the non-partisan portion of your ballot.

This coming Monday, August 4th, the day before the primary I'm actually going to be running a phone bank for Eric here locally in the Grand Rapids area too, doing what I can to help.  So...

Let's toss one more activity into the RightMichigan Bloggers Challenge... a little dose of real-world activism to go with the web.  

Monday or Tuesday pick a primary candidate, any primary candidate and volunteer! Doesn't have to be Eric (but it certainly can be).  Work a phone bank.  Hit some doors.  Drive a van to get shut-ins to the polls.  I won't be picky.  Just make sure you email me and let me know you did it... better yet, snap a digital picture or a camera phone picture while you're at it (if you have access) and either send that to me or post it with a little update to your own blog.

Bonus, if you're in west Michigan and A) you're looking for something to do and B) you want to get together and catch up you can come hang out with me!  Just bring your cell phone and your unused, free, night-time minutes!  Hit me up at RightMichigan@gmail.com if you're interested.  Pizza's on me.