Senate rejects another Whitmer appointee to hunting panel

By David Eggert
Associated Press

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — For the second time this month, Michigan’s Republican-led Senate has blocked one of Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s appointments to the state commission that regulates hunting and fishing.

The Senate on Thursday rejected George Heartwell, a former mayor of Grand Rapids. Gun-rights groups opposed his nomination in part because, as mayor, he backed an ordinance banning guns in public buildings and was a member of a gun-control group co-founded by former New York Mayor Mike Bloomberg.

Heartwell, who no longer hunts but fishes, has said he supports the Second Amendment and hunting.

Republicans said their constituents’ did not trust that Heartwell would have their best interests in mind. Democrats said the rejection was about politics because Heartwell was qualified.

Two weeks ago, the Senate rejected another Whitmer appointee, Anna Mitterling. Democrats said Republicans blocked her because Whitmer refused to pull Heartwell’s nomination.