Cam Cavitt

ALPENA — Cam Cavitt, the state legislator for Northeast Michigan, knew if he voted in opposition to Democrat Joe Tate, of Detroit, for Speaker of the House, there could be blowback from the new House leadership.

So, he said, in the interest of residents in the 106th District, he voted for Tate to become Speaker. The move paid dividends because he was appointed to several committees that are key to Northeast Michigan.

The eight Republicans that entered nay votes against Tate have not been assigned to committees or very few, Cavitt said.

Cavitt said the vote for Speaker was largely ceremonious because the Democrats already held enough votes to elect Tate. Typically votes for Speaker are unanimous. But in a break from the norm, some Republicans voted against Tate.

Cavitt said he was sent to Lansing to work for the people and try to get things done. Voting against Tate, and not being on committees, Cavitt said, would not accomplish those goals.

Cavitt said Tate is a moderate Democrat and a better option than someone who leans further left who could have been proposed.

“He was the best card we could have drawn,” Cavitt said. “There was no alternate choice because the caucus already decided. It was basically a ceremonial vote, not like what was happening in Washington at the time.”

Before he was elected, Cavitt said he would work across the aisle to help get legislation passed that the Alpena area could benefit from.

Cavitt said it wasn’t worth the risk to vote against Tate and be blackballed from committees. He said his calculated move worked because now he will serve on the influential House Appropriations Committee, which controls the state budget process.

Cavitt was appointed Republican Vice Chair of the Military, Veterans Affairs and State Police appropriations subcommittee, and will also serve on the following subcommittees: Environment and Great Lakes, Judiciary, and School Aid.

“I will be involved with budgets and how money is dispersed,” he said. “We have a base in Alpena, lots of veterans, schools that are lagging behind in terms of technology, and of course our lakes and environment. I can now have my voice heard. If I entered a nay vote, that wouldn’t be the case.”

Cavitt had his eye on being appointed to the Housing Committee, but he said that appointment never came to light.

Cavitt’s vote in support of Tate has caused some friction with some Republicans in Northeast Michigan. He said the Presque Isle County Republican Party intends to vote to censure him at its upcoming meeting.

The same action was considered by the Alpena County Republican Party, but the issue was not added to the agenda, County Party Treasurer Kevin Osbourne said.

“A resolution to censure me will be on the agenda at the next Presque Isle County Republican’s meeting after my very first vote,” Cavitt said. “But, I knew if I didn’t vote for the speaker, I wouldn’t get on the committees and wouldn’t be as effective as I want to be.”

Cavitt said the backlash will not distract him from the job he has in front of him because he represents more people than those in the local parties. He said the job will be harder now that the Republicans don’t have the majority, but he said he is confident compromise on bills and spending can be reached.

“We have hope because we have a strong caucus and the Democrats are kind of split in two right now,” he said. “I’ll work with whoever I need to do what is best for Northeast Michigan.”