by Eric Dondero

State Rep. Justin Amash won the Republican Primary for US Congress in Michigan CD 5 last night, with 40% of the vote. He had two opponents, both longtime legislators, and well-known politicos in the State. Amash's victory is being credited to superior fundraising - he had the backing of the well-known economic libertarian family the DeVosses - added to grass roots support from Tea Party, Ron Paul, and Tax Reform groups.

At the Amash victory party, from MLive.com "Justin Amash breezes to victory, earns GOP nomination to replace Vern Ehlers":

Michigan Republican Party Secretary Hank Fuhs marveled at the attendees.

"Ninety percent of those folks are not party regulars," Fuhs said. "He (Amash) has done a tremendous job of getting new people involved and excited."

This is a very Republican district, and Amash's election in the Fall is virtually assured.

Amash is a longtime friend and ally of Michigan Taxpayer's Alliance President and former state legislator Leon Drolet. Amash volunteered in Drolet's past campaigns.

Libertarian-Republican Drolet was on the ballot for State Senate in a Macomb County district, and lost with 36%. (Note - Drolet is also a dues-paying member of the local Libertarian Party.) He came in 2nd in a sometimes nasty 3-way race. The winner was libertarian-conservative former State Rep. Jack Brandenburg of St. Clair Shores.

Ironically, Drolet had recruited 3rd place finisher Kim Meltzer to take his State Rep. seat after he was term-limited 6 years ago. Melzter attacked Drolet with targetted mailings, suggesting he was a social liberal who supported gay rights. Drolet is pro-life.

Drolet and Brandenburg are longtime friends and political allies, and remained friends through the primary election.

Brandenburg was a firebrand anti-tax crusader in the legislature. He has been called essentially a "blue collar libertarian." He is passionately opposed to affirmative action, and was a co-sponsor of the successful initiative to abolish quotas for college admissions in the State. He is also a diehard Sarah Palin fanatic.

The District is heavily Republican, and Brandenburg faces only token Democrat opposition in the Fall.

Finally, one other race of interest for Libertarian Republicans came out on the downside. Scott Tillman, longtime libertarian activist with the Sam Adams Alliance, and supporter of the Libertarian Party and the Republican Liberty Caucus went down to defeat, finishing 4th with 16% for a State Rep. seat in Western Michigan.

But Tillman informed Libertarian Republican that he's hopeful that the winner, John Bumstead would be a libertarian-friendly legislator. He is a Tea Partyer, and Tillman suggested that if he hadn't run, he probably would have backed Bumstead.

DISCLOSURE: I am longtime friends with both Jack Brandenburg and Leon Drolet, and remained ardently neutral in the primary race.