LEIGHTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. -- U.S. Senator Ted Cruz's father spoke at a fundraising event Monday night at the Galloway family home in Allegan County's Leighton Township.
The Rev. Rafael Cruz asked the dozens of wealthy donors who gathered there for support of Michigan Pray. That is the fledgling organization founded by freshman Republican State. Rep. Gina Johnsen of Lake Odessa. Cruz pulled no punches in attacking the Democratic-led government in Michigan and in Washington, D.C.
"You may call me partisan, but I'm going to say it. We have a Marxist regime in the White House ... And the number one tenet of Marxism: God doesn't exist," Cruz said.
Cruz also talked about what he says is the spiritual warfare that is taking place not only in the Michigan Legislature but in higher places.
Cruz called for the wealthy donors who attended the event to give graciously to Michigan Pray. That is a for-profit organization formed recently by State Representative Gina Johnsen, who attended the event along with State Reps Rachelle Smit, Nancy DeBoer and Luke Meerman.
Michigan Pray is focused on educating and guiding leaders of state and local governments. Johnsen said the former nonprofit House of Prayer in downtown Lansing has been re-branded and legally reorganized as Michigan Pray, a private for-profit group.
"If we do not face right now the dire straits we are in, we will not have another chance, I believe," Johnsen said. "It's the 2024 election, but it's about right now. The church has to wake up in Michigan. We have almost no more time left."
She noted that even the most conservative pockets of Michigan have had low voter turnout in recent elections. She advised Republicans to stop using excuses to avoid going to the polls.
"Enough of loving or hating (former President Donald) Trump. Enough of worrying about, 'I don't like the top of the ticket and who endorsed her or him.' Or election fraud: 'My vote doesn't count.' That's an excuse. Your vote counts as long as you're voting," she said.