Dr. Jeff LaHuis of Sault Animal Hospital was content doing the job he loved, spending time with family in his free-time, but sought to be the change he wanted to see in his community.
What better way to get involved at a local level than by chairing the Chippewa County Republican Party?
“Yes, I am a Republican,” LaHuis said. “That doesn't mean I blindly follow the Republican Party. Of course, I am capable of independent thought.”
The veterinarian of 28 years pointed to a painted green “S” on his office wall, signifying Michigan State University (MSU) Spartan pride. It was the university where he had graduated from. LaHuis silently reflected on the campus shooting that took the lives of three students on the evening of Monday, Feb. 13 last month.
“All of this gun legislation is grandstanding,” he said. “I am trained to get to the root of a problem. That is what we need to do. We need to diagnose the problem. Once we diagnose it, we can fight it. Gun violence is a symptom.”
LaHuis said it was important to work together as a community toward prevention while standing up for constitutional rights.
“I stand strong for the Second Amendment, and strong for pro-life,” he added, inviting conversations surrounding the current economic, political, and social issues dividing citizens today.
LaHuis went on to describe a bell curve, in which extreme Republican voters exist at the far right of the graph and extreme Democratic voters can be found to the far left side of that same graph. Meanwhile, the graph’s standard deviation is actually quite large.
“It is about 70% of the population,” LaHuis determined upon speaking with multiple area voters.
“Even if they don't identify as being in the middle, it probably makes up more than 70% of them. We all want the same things. We all want to be safe and happy. We just have different ideas on how to do it, and people need to stop the sabre rattling."
LaHuis has also encouraged county residents to get to know their delegates.
“Delegates are the most important elected officials in Michigan, not the governor," he said. "We are elected by our people, here.”
The Michigan Republican Party officially recognized LaHuis as the county’s new chair back in January, taking the place of former chairperson Anthony Stackpoole.
The next Chippewa County Republican Party meeting will be held next month in Pickford. Its precise location is yet to be announced. LaHuis has invited everyone out to attend future gatherings by liking and checking the Chippewa County Republican Party Facebook page.
“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing,” LaHuis quoted.
