To those who gave so much of themselves – their time, their financial support, their ideas – thank you.  I could not have done it without you.

Thank you as well to families across this district who welcomed me into their homes when I showed up on their doorsteps.  Many of the ideas on which this campaign was based, as well as the motivation for the work I did in Lansing, came out of these conversations.  The connections I formed with strangers willing to take a few minutes out of their busy lives to share their ideas on how to make Michigan a state they can be proud to pass on to their children and grandchildren was a constant source of inspiration, and a reminder that it takes all of us to make our democracy work.

Finally, thank you to the voters of this district for putting their your in me as your State Representative.  Over the past two years I’ve worked hard to make sure your voices were heard in Lansing, to deliver results on the issues that matter most, and to make state government  more efficient, more effective, and more accountable to the people it serves.  While there is always more work to be done, I think we moved the ball forward on each of these challenges. 

Thank you for allowing me the great privilege to serve as your representative in the Michigan House.  It’s an honor I’ll never forget.

As the region’s only House candidate to receive their endorsement, the Record-Eagle praised my “ability to work across the aisle in the bitterly partisan Legislature.”

The Ludington Daily News said I have made myself “more accessible than any state rep in this district in the past two decades. That’s commendable.”

Five out of six local newspapers have made endorsements so far, and all five have endorsed this campaign as they did during the last election.

I’m honored to earn the support of district editorial boards who understand our communities so well. Their support gives us a great boost of momentum as we enter the final days of the campaign.

On to November 2!

In addition, you can also take the Ten Buck Pledge, where local residents commit to putting $10 of their weekly budget toward buying Michigan-made goods and services. If we each spent just $10 a week on Michigan products – instead of those from other states and countries – we would inject tens of millions of dollars back into Michigan’s economy every week.

Efforts like this, where each of us commits to doing our part, can have a major impact in turning our economy around and creating jobs for Michigan workers. Whether it’s a game from Carrom Games in Ludington, some cider from Douglas Valley Winery in Manistee, delicious local jams and preserves from Benzie County’s Food for Thought, or a great bottle of wine from the Leelanau Peninsula, spending your hard-earned money on local goods and services has never been so fun – or so tasty!

So join me in taking the Ten Buck Pledge at BuyMichFirst.com. Together, we can get Michigan moving again!

Dear Friends,

Just a reminder that you are all invited to come join me this coming Monday, January 4th at my monthly coffee hours. As a service to my constituents, I hold these public office hours in each of the four counties that I represent so that I can update you on the things going on in Lansing, answer your questions, and give you helpful information.

Please find a coffee hour that is nearest you:

•    Silvertree Deli in Suttons Bay from 9-10AM
•    Darcy Public Library in Beulah from 11-12NOON
•    Goody’s Juice & Java in Manistee from 1-2PM
•    House of Flavors in Ludington from 3-4PM

See you soon!

Dan

You can see other photos from my inauguration at our Flickr page here.

As the ceremony took place, I placed my hand on the Bible, opened to:

1 Peter 4:10

Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.

This is a verse that encompasses much of what I believe about democracy, that all of us have certain talents and that we should use our talents to serve one another. I built on this theme in my formal comments during the inauguration, knowing that we can only overcome the challenges facing Michigan by working together and by each of us contributing our unique strengths and energy to building a better Michigan.

I am extremely honored that the citizens of Northwest Michigan have put their trust in me, and I look forward to working hard across party lines to get our state back on track. We have real challenges in Michigan, but I’m confident that working together we can turn challenges into opportunities.

I plan to hit the ground running when session begins in January. As State Representative, I will do everything I can to help make our state a better place to live, work, and raise a family.

Check out pictures here.

Check out a video of Leland student Ben Fellows introducing Dan Scripps, and Dan Scripps at the Mock Election:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QnrdbrCi4Y[/youtube]

The Leelanau Enterprise praised my “ability to see through party rhetoric and find common sense answers.”

The Benzie Record Patriot noted my “commitment to, and experience with, alternative energy [which] will uniquely poise this area to reap the benefits of this quickly growing industry.”

With the endorsement of the Enterpise and the Record Patriot, all six newspapers have made endorsements and all six have endorsed this campaign.

As we enter the final 5 days, this clean sweep of district editorial pages gives us a huge boost of momentum.

On to November 4!

The endorsement highlighted our strong positive message on Jobs, Schools and the Great Outdoors, including working to close the loopholes in the Great Lakes Compact and efforts to make school funding more equitable.

Importantly, the Record-Eagle also took my opponent to task for “taking the low road.” They are right: we can’t come together around the challenges facing our state if we spend our campaigns practicing the same old dirty, divisive politics of the past.

I’m honored to have the Record-Eagle’s endorsement.

On to November 4!

With 11 days to go, we are three for three with the newspaper endorsements, and are gaining momentum as we race toward November 4!

We have 12 days to go until Election Day and the endorsement of both of the newspapers based in the southern half of the district give us an added boost.