Modern Whig Party Member Seeks State Rep. Seat

Updated Oct. 17: William Trombley announced he will run as a Republican to better his odds of getting on the ballot.

At this time of year, it's not unusual for incumbents and challengers to take their election goals public.

But local resident William Trombley's political affiliation itself may stand out in the crowd.

Trombley, who filed paperwork to run for 32nd District state representative (currently represented by Andrea LaFontaine, R-Richmond), will be listed as an independent and is a member of the Modern Whig Party.

"We have entrusted all of the power into two parties who only seem to care about themselves and their donors," Trombley said in his statement announcing his bid for public office. "Those same parties continue to nominate candidates who lack real-world experience and that are easy for the party to control and sway. These politicians are not bad people, but they lack the experience to stand up to the party machinery in Lansing."

His words don't stray from the overall message of the Modern Whig Party of political reform and non-partisanship.

According to its website, the contemporary spin off the original party Abraham Lincoln was in started in 2007 by Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans. 

"This grassroots movement has quickly attracted thousands of new members," the site states. "We represent politically moderate and independent-minded voters from all walks of life that are committed to finding pragmatic solutions to the problems facing our country by putting methodology above ideology and using rational thinking instead of partisan dogma."

Trombley is a 1989 L'Anse Creuse North graduate who retired from the U.S. Navy as a senior chief petty officer following 21 years. He served in Operation Desert Storm, Kosovo, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

He said he is forming an exploratory committee and, with help from volunteers, will be seeking to collect at least 600 signatures in the New Baltimore and Chesterfield Township area in effort to be placed on the ballot, he said.