HD-47 - Aberasturi ends campaign, endorses Dr. Hank Vaupel

Press release from Charlie Aberasturi, now a former candidate of the 47th District

April 16, 2014
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Aberasturi endorses Dr. Hank Vaupel for the 47th District State House of Representatives

HARTLAND, MI - Charlie Aberasturi has announced that he is ending his campaign for the 47th District State House of Representatives.
Aberasturi, of Hartland Township, who has served as a Hartland Board of Education trustee for 16 years, has been actively campaigning for the open position of 47th District State House of Representatives. He will now put his effort toward electing Dr. Hank Vaupel.
“I appreciate the support that has come my way from the Knights of Columbus, Pregnancy Helpline , Right to Life, others in the prolife movement, HAYAA, St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, TRW employees and from school district parents, staff and children,” Aberasturi said.
Aberasturi said he has gotten to know Dr. Vaupel during the campaign and believes Dr. Vaupel is the candidate that is most closely aligned with his philosophy, on how to treat people properly and yet maintain a fiscally conservative outlook.
Aberasturi said. “I encourage my fellow knights, those in the prolife movement, employees and former employees of TRW , those with a concern for children and public schools, to support Hank Vaupel.”
For over 30 years, Aberasturi worked as a manufacturing financial manager for TRW and Kelsey-Hayes. In addition, he has volunteered for Pregnancy Help Clinic, Knights of Columbus, St. John the Baptist Church in Hartland, LACASA, as a coach and board member for the Hartland Area Youth Athletic Association.

Those who would like to volunteer to help Aberasturi in support of Dr. Vaupel may contact the voteVaupel team at VoteVaupel@gmail.com or by calling (517) 375-3904.

We'll see what the fallout is from this.Obviously it's good news for Vaupel on two fronts. One is getting a Hartland endorsement, and the other is leaving the Hartland area wide open.  Aberasturi won Hartland in his 2008 primary against Cindy Denby.Theodore Ring seems to be from the Hartland area, but I have literally no idea who he is. He'll have to get activist if he wants a chance to win.

For ideology, it helps Vaupel with RTL and Catholic votes, although the other candidates are strong with RTL, and Phil Campbell is a very active Catholic in Howell.

This now leaves five people running. Handy Twp Supervisor Dr. Hank Vaupel, Former Howell School Board member Wendy Day, Howell Mayor Phil Campbell, activist Harold Melton, and Theodore Ring.

Charlie Aberasturi runs for 47th district

We have a third candidate already announced for the 47th District. Joining Dr. Hank Vaupel (Handy Twp) and Karl Kling (Howell) is Charlie Aberasturi out of Hartland Township.From his press release:

Charlie Aberasturi, MBA, Hartland Consolidated Schools Board Treasurer, announces his candidacy for Michigan’s 47th House District seat, currently filled by Cindy Denby.  Charlie is running as a GOP candidate.  This seat opens in 2014, because Denby is term-limited.

Charlie has worked 34 years in financial positions for TRW/Kelsey-Hayes in the automotive manufacturing industry.  A majority of his time was spent at TRW locations, creating jobs for people in Livingston County.  He held several financial positions as financial controller; forecasting, maintaining budgets and planning for the future.  He currently supports with his time and talent by volunteering at; Pregnancy Help Clinic, CASA, and St. John the Baptist Catholic Church.  He has served on the Hartland Consolidated Schools Board of Education for 16 years.  He has been a member of the Hartland Knights of Columbus for over 20 years. He was involved with the HAYAA organization as coach and board member.  He taught business classes at Eastern Michigan University.

Charlie and his wife Sue have lived in Hartland for 23 years.  They have 2 children, Sarah and Dan, who attend Michigan State University.

Charlie is running on the platform of “Invest in the Future.”

Charlie ran in 2008, finishing 2nd (I think he won Hartland) to Cindy Denby in the large primary field. There's no shame in that, since Cindy was a very strong candidate. What will be interesting is if the 2014 primary shapes a bit like the 2002 primary with people voting their region to a large extent. Population growth does change the dynamics a little if there's a repeat and similar patterns. This is going to be an interesting primary.

Nobody has officially announced for the 42nd District, although I expect that to change soon.That's going to be interesting as well. 

Both the 42nd and 47th are open seats due to term limits.