Betsy DeVos

Elisabeth "Betsy" DeVos is the former chairman of the Republican Party in the U.S. state of Michigan and wife of former Alticor (Amway) president Dick DeVos, the 2006 Republican candidate for governor of Michigan.

Current and former leadership positions

Source: Mediamouse.org [cite web | url=http://www.mediamouse.org/resources/right.php?personId=4 | title= The Far Right in West Michigan: Betsy DeVos | date=2006-09-01 | accessdate=2006-09-28 | work=Mediamouse.org]
* Acton Institute, former Board of Directors
* Advocates for School Choice, Board
* American Council of Young Political Leaders, Board of Trustees, 1995 to present
* American Education Reform Council, Board of Directors, 2001
* Choices for Children, Chairperson, 2001
* Compass Arts, Board
* Education Freedom Fund, Board of Directors, 1995 to present
* Great Lakes Education Project, Chairperson, 2001
* Michigan Republican State Committee, former Chairperson May 1996 to February 2000
* Republican National Committeewoman for Michigan, 1992-1997
* Restoring the American Dream PAC, Finance Co-chairperson, 2001

Biography

She is the daughter of Edgar Prince, who founded Prince Corporation, an automobile parts supplier based in Holland, Michigan, which has since been purchased by Johnson Controls. Her brother, Erik, founded Blackwater USA, a private security firm which has operations in Iraq.

After graduating from Holland Christian High School in Holland, Michigan, DeVos attended Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan where she earned bachelor's degrees in business administration and political science. She and husband Dick DeVos have four children.

Controversy

DeVos quit as chairwoman of the Michigan Republican Party in a dispute with then-governor John Engler over Engler's refusal to support a 2000 ballot proposal on school vouchers which was defeated by voters. [http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061101/OPINION02/611010414]

Betsy DeVos issued a press release on Tuesday, April 27, 2004, which in part stated that, "Many, if not most, of the economic problems in Michigan are a result of high wages and a tax and regulatory structure that makes this state uncompetitive." This led to a public backlash accusing DeVos of saying that Michigan workers were overpaid.

References

External links

* [http://www.statenews.com/op_article.phtml?pk=18532 Affirmative action initiative poses problems for politicians]
* [http://www.allianceforschoolchoice.org/ Alliance for School Choice]
* [http://www.metrotimes.com/20/21/Features/newGod.htm God Bless Vouchers]
* [http://www.mlive.com/news/kzgazette/index.ssf?/base/news-0/116170335434170.xml&coll=7 Betsy DeVos urges agenda of change]