MEDIA
MEDIA 2022
Donald Trump looms large as Michigan GOP braces for convention ‘battle’
Bridge Michigan
April 20, 2022
"Michigan GOP officials probably did not anticipate “the sheer amount of infighting” in the party, and the convention could allow them to stop the "bloodletting” before fall elections, Sellek said.
Why Michigan voters don’t get to choose who will face Nessel, Benson
MLIVE - Statewide
April 20, 2022
"Republicans can negate any picks from the April convention if 75% of delegates vote to overturn. It’s essentially a “smash-glass-in-case-of-emergency” lever, Sellek said.”
Crowded GOP Gubernatorial Primary Field is Set
9 & 10 News - Traverse City
April 19, 2022
"(Craig’s) challenge has been to take that lead and build on top of it and that’s something he has not done so far and he’s had a pretty open window over almost a year to do it,” said Sellek.”
Ten Michigan GOP governor candidates file signatures to make ballot
Bridge Michigan
April 19, 2022
"Anybody and everybody wants to run for governor, and the fact that they can collect the signatures and get themselves on the ballot tells you just how much energy is floating around out there on the GOP side," Sellek said.”
Crowded primary races mark Michigan's 2022 ballot after filing deadline
The Detroit News
April 19, 2022
"The energy is a dual-edged sword," said John Sellek, a longtime Michigan Republican political operative and CEO of the firm Harbor Strategic Public Affairs.
Should Michigan’s AG and SOS nominees be selected by voters?
WJR AM - Detroit
April 18, 2022
"Sellek, founder and CEO of Harbor Strategic Public Affairs, talks with Guy Gordon about the possibility of reforming the convention process in favor of primary elections.”
'Historic' number of gubernatorial candidates could be on GOP primary ballot
FOX 17 - Grand Rapids
April 18, 2022
“It's a huge milestone internally for every one of these campaigns and they all want to sit back and pop some champagne from it and say, man, we got that done. And the thing is, no one cares,” laughed Sellek.
Jacques: Ditch crazy conventions for primaries
The Detroit News
April 17, 2022
“You couldn’t devise a more insider, exclusive system than this one.”
Parents make emotional plea to Oxford school officials to address security
The Detroit News
April 14, 2022
“Parents of Oxford High School students and one survivor of the Nov. 30 mass shooting made emotional pleas on Thursday for improved safety measures inside the school.”
Group of Oxford High students and parents want review of school safety plan
FOX 2 Detroit
April 14, 2022
“Attorney General Dana Nessel is expected to meet with Oxford parents and students next week.”
Trump endorsement shakes up Michigan Secretary of State race
Detroit Free Press
April 7, 2022
“Sellek, CEO of Harbor Strategic, a Lansing-based public relations firm, said that "it's very reasonable to think that Kristina Karamo has this thing locked up." GOP delegates who will decide the convention outcome are "becoming more and more and more Trump or nothing," he said.”
Fred Upton retires. Another Trump critic finds no home in today’s GOP
Bridge Michigan
April 5, 2022
“Sellek, a former staffer for former Republican Attorney General Bill Schuette, told Bridge Michigan that while Trump’s attacks on Upton may have played a role in his retirement, it wasn’t the deciding factor.”
Donald Trump returns to Michigan to back his candidates, prepare for ‘24
Bridge Michigan
April 3, 2022
“DePerno appears to be locked in an "incredibly close” convention race with former House Speaker Tom Leonard and, if he loses, "the national media will pick up on that quickly as a sign that (Trump's) influence is waning," Sellek told Bridge.”
AgriPAC Fundraiser 2022 Elections Discussion
Lansing, Michigan
February 22, 2022
“What does it take to make sure Michigan farmers are well represented in politics? A panel of election experts — Kyle Melinn, co-owner of MIRS News; John Sellek of Harbor Strategic Public Affairs; and Adrian Hemond, CEO of Grassroots Midwest — will offer commentary on all thing’s election 2022.
AgriPAC Fundraiser 2022 Elections Discussion
Lansing, Michigan
February 22, 2022
“What does it take to make sure Michigan farmers are well represented in politics? A panel of election experts — Kyle Melinn, co-owner of MIRS News; John Sellek of Harbor Strategic Public Affairs; and Adrian Hemond, CEO of Grassroots Midwest — will offer commentary on all thing’s election 2022.
My Take: Don’t eliminate the Register of Deeds.
Sault Evening News
February 16, 2022
“Why would we “fix” a part of government that is already working for us? While some claim it will save a few bucks, that is unlikely and will result in negative side effects that you should know about."
Community members denounce UMich Board of Regents’ handling of sexual misconduct
Michigan Daily
February 18, 2022
“Brourman said Coleman and the University were aware of former Provost Martin Philbert’s previous sexual misconduct allegations when he was made dean of the School of Public Health."
Is 2022 another ‘year of the outsider?’ Michigan GOP gubernatorial candidates are banking on it.
MLive
February 19, 2022
“There’s that old saying about how everybody has a plan until you get hit the face,” Sellek said. “We haven’t really seen significant hits of any kind landed inside the GOP primary."
Experts: Politics, as well as science, fuel Whitmer COVID, mask decisions
Bridge Michigan
February 19, 2022
“He and others point to Republican Glenn Youngkin’s victory in the Virginia gubernatorial election in November, which analysts say is largely because independents were upset over school closures from COVID. “They (the Whitmer administration) look really smart from a political science perspective right now,” Sellek said. “She is making moves to the middle with every move she makes.”
What does the San Fransisco school recall mean for 2022?
WJR - Detroit
February 16, 2022
“Sellek, Founder and CEO of Harbor Strategic Public Affairs, talks with Guy Gordon about San Francisco voters ousting three members of the Board of Education, and what it means for the midterm elections."
GOP candidate for governor wants to convert Super Bowl ad into higher name recognition
The Detroit Free Press
February 13, 2022
“Sellek, CEO of Lansing-based Harbor Strategic Public Affairs, said one risk of airing Super Bowl ads is that "you're competing with the world's best ads," and if the ad does not make a strong impression, "people are going to throw their Doritos" at their screens.
Michigan governor's race: U.S. Rep. Lisa McClain endorses Tudor Dixon
The Detroit News
February 9, 2022
“She has done this methodically by winning the Trump consultant sweepstakes, then holding a Mar-a-Lago event with Trump and now adding a second pro-Trump congressional endorsement," the consultant added."
Self-funded millionaires, small-dollar donors shape Republican race to challenge Whitmer
MLive - Statewide
February 3, 2022
“It might seem odd that Craig is more visible to a national audience, but it’s all strategy “Every time you see him go on Fox News, they fundraise off it,” said John Sellek, CEO of the Michigan consulting firm Harbor Strategic Public Affairs."
Breaking Down What Was Said, and Not Said, in State of the State Address
9 & 10 News - Traverse City
January 27, 2022
“She said, ‘Hey I hear you, schools should be open,’ but she didn’t say a school‘s must be open,” said Sellek. “She doesn’t have that control but she only touched on the issue without actually using her bully pulpit.”
Reviewing Gov. Whitmer’s State of the State Speech
Morning Wake Up - WILS AM
January 27, 2022
Dave Akerly and John Sellek weighed in on Governor Whitmer's State of the State Address.
John and Michael Patrick Shiels analyze Governor Whitmer's State of the State address.
The Big Show - Statewide
January 27, 2022
“She is laying claim to the independent voters who have now abandoned President Biden.”
Whitmer calls for tax cuts and unity in 2022 State of the State address
Michigan Public Radio
January 26, 2022
Hosted by Michigan Radio's Rick Pluta, it also includes analysis by John Sellek (CEO, Harbor Strategic Public Affairs).
New Developments in the New Macomb Congressional Seat
Guy Gordon Show - WJR Detroit
January 24, 2022
John Sellek talks with Guy about polling numbers showing Governor Whitmer's lead over former Detroit Police Chief James Craig.
New Developments in the New Macomb Congressional Seat
Marie Osborn Show-WJR Detroit
January 21, 2022
Sellek, Founder and CEO Harbor Strategic Public Relations, discusses the interesting names Democrats are floating as candidates for the newly drawn 10th district in Macomb County.
What multi-billion dollar investments mean for GM, EVs and Michigan future
The Detroit News
January 21, 2022
“Having General Motors standing next to her is worth its weight in gold, and she will amplify it in her speech on Wednesday,” Sellek said. Unlike GM, Ford and partner SK Innovation picked Kentucky and Tennessee for a total $11.4 billion investment.
The President Speaks
WJR AM - Detroit
January 20, 2022
John Sellek talks with Kevin and Tom about about President Biden's press conference.
Chances were missed to stop U. of Michigan sexual abuse
Associated Press
January 19, 2022
“WilmerHale found at least 20 occasions when a student, athlete or other individual spoke with university staff about Anderson."
University of Michigan reaches $490 million settlement in Robert Anderson abuse case
ESPN
January 19, 2022
“The University of Michigan has agreed to a $490 million settlement with more than 1,000 people who say they were sexually assaulted by Dr. Robert Anderson during his nearly four-decade career at the school"
Sexual Assault Survivors of UM Doctor Call for Culture Change With New President
9 & 10 News Traverse City
January 18, 2022
“This is a Dr. Frankenstein and these are the kinds of things that went on that you don’t know about because this university will not commit to transparency,” said Robert Stone, a survivor
Supreme Court blocks vaccine mandate for large businesses, not healthcare workers
WDIV - Detroit
January 14, 2022
“With this mandate, what we really were voicing concerns about were the unintended consequences associated with it,” said Wendy Block of Listen To MI Businesses. “Just the logistical challenges that went along with this.”
Trump's support in Michigan dips, creating crunch for GOP, Detroit News-WDIV poll finds
Detroit News
January 12, 2022
“They may not want to vote for him, but he retains the ability to be a voice of their frustrations, even if they are afloat at sea on a partisan basis," Sellek said."
Is The Maps Becoming Scraps Likely? Is It Unlikely? Or Something In Between?
MIRS News
January 3, 2022
“Where to live is the toughest choice if you fear the maps will change due to a VRA suit or other issues,” he said."
Pollsters and Pundits with Tim Skubick
Off The Record, WKAR
December 24, 2021
“Pollsters join pundits Adrian Hemond and John Sellek along with Tim Skubick to look ahead at what to expect from Michigan politics in the new year."