I returned from Washington, D.C., on Sunday.

I was out there for the Conservative Political Action Conference, which brings together activists and leaders from the conservative movement. It was an opportunity to get-together with friends, former colleagues and movers-and-shakers in conservative and Republican Party circles.

I really enjoyed my time bowling with former Governor Mitt Romney and his surprise guest, U.S. Senator Scott Brown.

And at CPAC, I ran into former Michigan Republican Party chairman Saul Anuzis, who has endorsed my campaign. By the way, I think it’s safe to say that many wish Saul was still state chairman or even RNC chairman.

I also enjoyed meeting with Governor Bob McDonnell of Virginia, Congressman Thaddeus McCotter, political pundit and Michigan native Michael Barone, and so many others over the three-day conference.

It was great to feel the energy of the movement. Speakers like Glenn Beck and former Florida State House Speaker Marco Rubio, who is running for the U.S. Senate, were amazing and really exemplified the loyal opposition.

When I was speaking with folks in Washington and at CPAC, everyone asked me what’s going on in Michigan. They couldn’t believe what they’ve read — they wanted to know how bad the situation is and who are the leading candidates for governor to fix the mess.

I explained that things are indeed bad.

We’ve lost one family every 12 minutes and over 20,000 K-12 students will leave Michigan before this school year ends.

Sadly, both Republicans and Democrats have made Lansing unworkable. The partisan charade has crippled Michigan, and the people have voted with their feet by packing up and leaving in droves. 

Our great state needs a new generation of leaders.

That’s why I’m running.

Michigan cannot afford to continue waving goodbye to her future.

In case you missed it, here is Cheboygan County Drain Commissioner Dennis Lennox's recent letter to the editor in the Northern Express:

Considering that one family has left Michigan every 12 minutes in recent years, you would think politicians in Lansing would wake up and realize that partisan gamesmanship will not turn around our great state.

Michigan cannot afford -- literally and figuratively -- to continue waving goodbye to her future.

With 280,000 jobs lost in 2009 and 22,000 students expected to leave elementary and secondary schools for a brighter future in another state this year, the challenges may be daunting, but they aren’t insurmountable.

We have the workers, agriculture and entrepreneurs, the innovation-ready universities, and abundant natural resources to overcome the Lost Decade and remake this state for the 21st century.

All that is missing is the political leadership to move Michigan forward.

Our great state deserves leaders willing to put Michigan first and work across the aisle in the tradition of former governors Romney and Milliken.

In case you missed this news report:

The City of Cheboygan Council voted to table a controversial zoning ordinance Tuesday evening that, if approved, would have allowed medical marijuana dispensaries to locate anywhere in a business district, including near schools and churches.

The action, approved on a record roll call vote of 5-1, came after Cheboygan County Drain Commissioner Dennis Lennox led opposition during the Council’s public hearing on the proposed ordinance.

"While the people of this state voted in support of an initiative to allow so-called medical marijuana, it remains illegal under federal law," said Lennox. "If the Council decides to ignore federal law and allow pot shops within Cheboygan, the ordinance must be amended to prohibit marijuana from being sold next to schools and churches. Without reasonable restrictions, pot shops could locate anywhere in the community."

The Council did not specify a date for re-consideration, but rather said members would review the applicable laws and regulations governing medical marijuana in Michigan before reaching a decision.

Similar ordinances across Michigan have proved controversial.

Garden City prohibits medical marijuana dispensaries from locating in central business districts, while Grand Rapids and Saginaw issued a six-month moratoriums on any pending establishments until it could resolve conflicts with local planning and zoning regulations. Livonia banned any business that is in violation of local, state or federal law -- effectively outlawing medical marijuana -- while Niles reaffirmed drug-free school zones.

Cross-posted on RightMichigan.com

I may be a Republican and Governor Granholm may be a Democrat, but I truly want her to succeed. She is my governor — she is our governor.

I firmly believe it’s time for our leaders in Lansing to end the partisan political charade that’s crippled state government and resulted in massive skepticism amongst the citizenry.

We need a political atmosphere that puts Michigan ahead of partisan politics.

The tired, old ideas of Lansing politicians aren’t working anymore.

We need to think outside the box with solutions that put our great state first and foremost.

It may be the second decade of the twenty-first century, but Lansing is still looking at our challenges in a twentieth century mindset.

That needs to change.

Just as Governors Romney and Milliken were the new leaders of their generation, Michigan desperately needs new leaders for these challenging times.

We need leaders that understand government isn’t the solution.

When it comes to ensuring a brighter future, Lansing — and government at all levels — must get out of the way of innovation and job-creators.

This will require significant overhauls and reforms of government.

We need a government that reflects the realities of the twenty-first century.

Our structure of government simply doesn’t make sense.

We must reduce the burden of government on the wallets of families and the cash registers of businesses.

And most importantly, we have to stop waving goodbye to our future.

Michigan has lost one family every 12 minutes and over 20,000 students at the K-12 levels will leave our great state before the school year ends.

That is unacceptable and must stop.

We can’t continue waving goodbye to our future doctors, engineers, scientists, teachers, innovators, job-creators and civic leaders.

I have lost almost all of my friends — your children and grandchildren — in the last few years.

Michigan’s great diaspora must end.

But it won’t end unless we, the citizenry, send a new generation of leaders to Lansing that understands our challenges and are committed to ensuring a brighter future for the next generation.

Are you willing to send a message?

I am.

And that’s why I’m running for the State House.

I want to stay in my our great state.

It was Michigan ingenuity, Michigan entrepreneurship and Michigan innovation that built this country.

Our challenges may be unprecedented, but they aren’t insurmountable.

And with your help, we can do this.

We can rebuild our great state for the twenty-first century.