Political experts discusses how conservatives can win in 2024 and beyond.
I talked to Stand Up Michigan founder Ron Armstrong
NEWAYGO, Mich. (AP) — In an interview with Dave Bondy, former mayor Ron Armstrong shared his diverse background and current community and political activism endeavors. Armstrong, a father of five and business owner for 38 years, has played a significant role in messaging and marketing through his company, which manufactures displays for trade shows.
Living in Newaygo, a small community north of Grand Rapids, Armstrong's involvement in local affairs grew as his children attended public school. "I wanted a community in which my kids wanted to live in and maybe move back to," he said. His civic engagement led him to run for mayor, a position he held for ten years, revitalizing the historic downtown and serving on economic development for 25 years.
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In 2020, Armstrong co-founded Stand Up Michigan, a grassroots organization formed in response to Governor Whitmer's COVID-19 policies. The group supported the Unlock Michigan campaign, which aimed to repeal the law under which Whitmer operated. "We got 40,000 citizens of Michigan to circulate petitions, and the Supreme Court ruled it unconstitutional," Armstrong explained.
Stand Up Michigan emphasizes non-partisan advocacy for freedom and liberty. Armstrong noted that the pandemic's impact transcended political affiliations, affecting people across the spectrum. "Covid was a big wake-up call for a lot of people," he said, highlighting issues like unemployment, school closures, and restricted access to services.
Armstrong stressed the importance of local involvement over reliance on state or federal solutions. "Most of the problems we have can be solved within our own communities," he asserted, advocating for active participation in local school boards, county commissions, and other civic entities.
He criticized the constraints imposed by higher government levels, emphasizing that communities should take charge of their destinies. "The insulator we can create is in our own communities," he said, encouraging grassroots organization to address local challenges.
Armstrong's remarks also touched on the media and social media's roles in shaping public perception. He called for a return to personal, face-to-face communication, asserting that social media platforms like Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) limit conservative voices. "We have to get back to people talking to people," he urged, advocating for direct community engagement.
Looking ahead, Armstrong promoted an upcoming event organized by Turning Point Action, scheduled for June 14-16. The event, termed the "People's Convention," aims to activate and involve attendees in grassroots political efforts. "This is a working convention," Armstrong noted, describing breakout sessions and tools provided to attendees for effective community organizing.
Armstrong concluded by highlighting the necessity of building sustainable grassroots infrastructure beyond the current election cycle. "The only way we're going to change our trajectory is if we, as individuals, get involved," he said, emphasizing long-term engagement to shape Michigan's future political landscape.