Judge Joseph Sheeran reads the oath as Judy Brunner holds the Bible for her husband at the swearing-in on Wednesday.

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"My Door is Open, My Phone is On" -- New State Rep. Charles Brunner

Circuit Judge Joseph Sheeran Swears in Solon Before Huge Crowd

December 17, 2010
By: Dave Rogers

"My door is always open, my phone is always at my side," said State Rep. Charles Brunner after his swearing in Wednesday night by Circuit Judge Joseph Sheeran.

The United Auto Workers hall was jammed with well wishers, who stayed for dinner with State Rep. Charles and Judy Brunner.

The former mayor of Bay City, who made his bones by championing the auto industry on several trips to Washington during a crisis period last year, admitted he was lucky to survive a Republican tsunami in the November 2010 election.

At the Brunner swearing in are, from left, Circuit Judge-elect Harry Gill, District Judge Tim Kelly, Fr. Bob DeLand of St. James Parish, and Mr. Brunner.
(MyBayCity Photo by Dave Rogers)

Brunner defeated Dennis Poirier Sr. 17,064 to 15,684, a 1,380 vote margin that amounted to 52 percent to 48 percent victory. Brunner credited his wife Judy and to a campaign "team and family effort."

"It was closer than I thought, and I should be thankful," commented the new state representative. "It was a 'throw the bums out' year and it all amounted to doors and dollars, and you all helped so much. A lot of good people are not going back."

Before the election the Democrats held a 65-42 majority in the Michigan House; after the election the lineup is 63 Republicans to 47 Democrats.

"We are heading into a very difficult budget year," said Brunner. "But there are signs the economy is turning around and maybe we've hit the bottom."

He said he is looking forward to helping Michigan recover and hopes to serve the full six years until term limited in 2016. "I will do what I can," he said.

MyBayCity.com reported earlier that Mr. Brunner had met with new Republican Gov. Rick Snyder and was looking forward to a collaborative effort to improve the state's economy and job market.

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