What is going on here in West Michigan?

State Rep. Roy Schmidt has become a Republican.

Schmidt made the announcement in a news release. It appears he will run unopposed as a Republican for the 76th District seat in November. Democrat Matt Mojzak will challenge him for the seat. The Republicans in Lansing confirmed that Schmidt is now a member of the House Republican caucus.

The district was redrawn to be roughly 50-50 between the parties. Despite that, no other Republican ran - until Schmidt. The well-known Schmidt - who filed as a Democrat before withdrawing and then re-filing as a Republican - could've beaten Mojzak in a primary, then gone on to win the general election unopposed. In a statement, Schmidt says he is a moderate and that he wants to put his job above his party. But he did have this to say:

I believe I was sent to Lansing to serve the people of Grand Rapids, not political bosses. The simple truth is, extreme Democrat party bosses like Mark Brewer are unwilling to listen to ideas or accept my positions on issues that matter to me and Grand Rapids.

I only have this to say about this matter: 1. I do not know who Matt Mojzak is. 2. Schmidt's son ran for office several years ago as a Republican. Still, this is surprising. 3. Time will tell if he really puts West Michigan above his new party, as he promises. If that's the case, then as a lawmaker he will have to vote as though he's still a Democrat - because voting with the Republicans is voting against the needs of the people of this area.