West Michigan Democrat uses speech from Republican Gerald Ford to promote her reelection

WASHINGTON — Democratic U.S. Rep. Hillary Scholten of Grand Rapids launched a new campaign ad this week featuring Gerald Ford, the former president who also represented west Michigan in the U.S. House for 25 years.

Audio from Ford's 1976 address to the Republican National Convention in Kansas City spans almost the full length of the one-minute spot, playing over text and news headlines showcasing Scholten's first term in Congress.

"My record is one of progress, not platitudes," Ford said in the speech marking his acceptance of that year's Republican presidential nomination. "My record is one of specifics, not smiles. My record is one of performance, not promises."

"But I have no intention of standing on the record alone," he continued. A series of sound bites from the speech ensues, highlighting past issues that remain important in U.S. politics. "We will continue winning the fight against inflation... We will encourage urban programs, which assure safety in the streets... We will ensure the integrity of the social security system and improve Medicare."

The ad — invoking the words of a Republican former president — pitches Scholten as a bipartisan lawmaker who prioritizes unity and serves all constituents regardless of their personal politics.

Her GOP challenger, Paul Hudson, also has brought up Ford to cast himself in the same light in a race where both candidates have focused on attracting independents and middle-of-the-road voters from a congressional district that includes parts of Kent, Ottawa and Muskegon counties.

"This ad is focused on two things," Scholten said in a statement. "First, it’s about my record, showing voters how I have kept my promises to West Michigan in my first term, to be a bipartisan, solution-oriented leader that puts our community and our country ahead of any political party."

She added: "But this ad is also about the future, telling voters they can expect more of this kind of leadership as we face politically trying times. And there was no better way for me to do that than by paying tribute to President Ford–a political hero of mine."

Hudson, an East Grand Rapids attorney, has also held up Ford as an icon of political leadership and bashed Scholten for comparing herself to the former president.

"West Michigan has always looked for a good, commonsense conservative. And the example that I take is Gerald Ford — sort of the model legislator for this district, for this area focusing on problem-solving and commonsense solutions," he told The Detroit News in an interview ahead of his August primary victory.

In a social media post after the Scholten ad launched, he invited voters to choose him "if you're looking for the candidate who truly embodies the principles and values of Gerald Ford."

Ford was elected as Richard Nixon's vice president in the 1972 election. The veteran Michigan lawmaker assumed the presidency in 1973 after Nixon resigned following the Watergate scandal, but Ford lost his bid for a full White House term in a close 1976 contest with Democratic former president Jimmy Carter.

Asked about their usage of the Ford speech, the Scholten campaign said the footage was available as part of the public domain. The campaign did not comment on whether it reached out to the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation or the Ford family before launching the ad.

Gleaves Whitney, executive director of the Ford presidential foundation, told The News he did not have any communication with the Scholten campaign before the ad aired but it was "fair game" to use as part of the National Archives. Whitney said he saw it for the first time while watching television Tuesday.

The ad is Scholten's fifth since the primary elections on Aug. 6. Several of them have tried to turn away from partisanship and appeal to voters across the political spectrum.

Hudson has released one ad since the primary, calling out Scholten for her voting record in Congress in a 30-second spot released Oct. 8.

"Hillary Scholten pretends to be bipartisan, but her voting record: 96% of the time with Joe Biden. We deserve better. We deserve better," Hudson said in the ad. "From runaway inflation, to wide open borders, to crippling national debt, it's a mess. If we're going to leave a better country for our kids, we need better leaders."

Hudson cited a ProPublica database showing that Scholten, as of July 10, had voted against her party 5.2% of the time since taking office. That ranks 240th out of 435 U.S. House members.

The candidates are running to represent Michigan's 3rd Congressional District. Its boundaries include portions of Kent, Ottawa and Muskegon counties, encompassing Grand Rapids and reaching out to the lakeshore following Interstate 96. Political handicappers have rated the race as a likely win for Scholten.

Her campaign has raised about $4.7 million in the current election cycle, per its latest federal campaign finance filing. Hudson's campaign has raised about $880,000, including $250,000 he personally loaned to his U.S. House bid.

Election Day is Nov. 5, though absentee ballots became available in Michigan on Sept. 26. Early, in-person voting begins on Oct. 26.

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