PARK TWP., MI (WHTC-AM/FM, June 16, 2022) – Jim Lilly is going to begin his post-legislative career early.
The term-limited Republican state House Representative from Holland’s North Side announced on Thursday that he would leave the Lower Chamber, effective July 1st, to become Vice President of Government Affairs for regional grocer SpartanNash. The chairman of the House Rules and Competitiveness Committee will create a governmental advocacy department for the Byron Center-based firm that may need him to become registered as a state and/or federal lobbyist.
According to MIRS News, Lilly is the fifth House member to leave office via resignation or death this term, and is believed to be the first lower chamber member to do so for a private sector job in 11 years. The Lansing-based news service added that Lilly has had no dealings with SpartanNash in his legislative leadership role, and the lawmaker denied that his decision was connected to any campaign finance issues or any past dealings with former state House Speaker Lee Chatfield.
With only 30 more scheduled meeting days on the state House calendar for this session, whether Governor Whitmer will call for a special election for someone to complete Lilly’s term is believed to be by Lansing insiders as problematic.
Comments