Snyder picks GVSU alumnus as runningmate

Republican gubernatorial nominee Rick Snyder named a Grand Valley alumnus and Republican state representative from Portland as his pick for lieutenant governor at a campaign event in Grand Rapids Wednesday.

Rep. Brian Calley is serving his second term in the state legislature. He represents Barry and Ionia counties in the 87th District. Calley, 33, serves on the banking and financial services, health policy, tax policy and retiree health care reform committees. He is vice chair of the Community College Caucus.

Calley earned a master’s in business administration from Seidman College of Business in 2000. "What I always liked about Grand Valley was that the professors practiced in the subject areas they taught. They were always knowledgeable about the way things work in the real world," Calley said.

Other Grand Valley alumni running for political offices include incumbent state representatives Jon Switalski (D-Roseville) and Terry Brown (D-Pigeon), who are seeking re-election to the House, and Frank Foster (R-Pellston), who is the Republican nominee for the House in the 107th District.

Switalski earned a bachelor’s degree in political science in 2000, Brown earned a master’s degree in education in 1995 and Foster earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 2009.