ATTENTION PARENTS OF HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE STUDENTS ZIONIST ORGANIZATION OF AMERICA MICHIGAN REGION presents CIVIL RIGHTS IN AMERICA Is THERE A BLIND EYE TO CAMPUS ANTI - SEMITISM? to law when landing a reporting job proved more difficult than he thought. He spent 23 years in private practice before turning toward a future in law enforcement. Former gubernatorial candidate Larry Owen, a close friend and political adviser of Leyton's, said the key to win- ning is for core Democrats and moder- ates to recognize that Leyton not only has the pedigree, but also that he has strong views on important issues. Leyton is unapologetically pro- choice, favors stem cell research and vows not to repeal the medicinal marijuana measure voters approved by more than 60 percent of the vote in 2008. He pledged to end current Attorney General Mike Cox's lawsuit to stop national healthcare legislation passed earlier this year. Leyton wants to revitalize the state's consumer protection efforts and become one of Michigan's strongest voices for protecting the environment. "My candidacy comes from my desire to help more people and bring my civil law background and my crimi- nal law experience together to get back on track in this state,' he said. The Showdown Leyton's road to Lansing won't be easy. He's up against a well-funded opponent with experience in all three branches of government. Schuette is now a private attorney. The Midland native served three terms in the U.S. Congress and two terms in the Michigan State Senate before join- ing the Michigan Court of Appeals in 2003. Schuette's website touts the length and breadth of his legislative experi- ence, and claims Michigan's next attor- ney general will have to be tough and efficient to deal with an onslaught of parolees and strained police budgets. (See related story below.) Campaign finance filings with the state show Schuette amassed nearly $670,000 in campaign contributions by August. However, he spent more than $372,000 trying to outlast State Sen. Mike Bishop, R-Rochester, for the nomination. Reports show Schuette has $294,328 in cash on hand. Prior to the statewide convention, Leyton reported having $227,190 cash on hand. Strong supporters are confident Leyton can close the gap and make history. "He's dealing with real people and real issues on a daily basis that make or break families, businesses and even communities, and I think the vot- ers will respond to that:' said former Michigan Gov. Jim Blanchard on one of many campaign appearances with Leyton in Southeast Michigan. ❑ GUEST SPEAKER, KENNETH L. MARCUS Tuesday, October 5, 2010 at 7:30 pm Temple Shir Shalom 3999 Walnut Lake Road • West Bloomfield Corner of Orchard Lake and Walnut Lake Roads Kenneth L. Marcus is Director of the Initiative on Anti-Semitism at the Institute for Jewish & Community Research.Marcus served as the Staff Director at the United States Commission on Civil Rights. Appointed by the President of the United States, Marcus served as the Civil Rights Commission's chief executive officer, overseeing all programs and operations. For this work, Marcus was named the first recipient of the Justice and Ethics Award for Outstanding Work in the Field of Civil Rights. Join us as Mr. Marcus speaks about current conditions on college campuses and more. RSVP is required by Monday, October 4,2010 to admin@mizoa.org or (248) 282-0088 NO CHARGE This program is co-sponsored by Temple Shir Shalom and StandWithUs - Michigan 1624210 Want to get the JN Not a print subscriber? Get your issue now! IT'S EASY! Leyton Campaign: www.davidleyton.org/ Schuette Campaign: www.billschuette.com/ he pledged to start a crime victim's rights advocate program and a rapid-permit program to help start- up businesses. He has also tried to position himself as a voice for victims; and so far the campaign hasn't pulled any punches. During consecutive weeks in September, he called press conferences and stood alongside the families of different murder victims from Genesee County that claimed that Leyton had let them down. "Victims and their families are all too often forgotten:' said Schuette, 56, and a father of two. "Michigan needs to run government and its prison system more efficiently and cost effectively. Let's not balance the budget on the backs of public safety" The tough talk is important in a campaign and reaffirms Schuette's passion for justice; but it also shrouds characteristics that vot- ers might also find more appeal- ing, said long-time supporter Alan Ackerman. "He's just a very decent human being, really cares about people and he holds values that the Jewish community would find more than acceptable said Ackerman, an attorney from Bloomfield Hills. ❑ Get your ePaper subscription today by visiting djn.pressmart.com 1606010 September 30 • 2010 19