Elissa DeVos visits campus for campaign

November 6, 2006 —

Elissa DeVos in one of her father's ads.

Thursday, Elissa DeVos, daughter of Michigan gubernatorial candidate Dick DeVos, was on hand to promote her father in the waning days of the 2006 campaign trail.

DeVos spent little time on her father's policies, instead choosing to focus on her father as a person, in hopes that his constituents and possible swing voters will see him as more than just a businessman or politician.

"I'm going to schools talking about my dad as I know him as a father," says DeVos. "To show him as the kind, supportive, compassionate man I know him as."

DeVos has touched nearly every corner of the state, visiting Michigan colleges in both peninsulas, including Central Michigan, Alma College, Western Michigan, University of Michigan, Michigan State, Northwood, and others.

DeVos also spoke about her dad's plans for the future of Michigan, and how he hopes to bring more jobs to a state that has been lacking in recent years.

"It's about creating a climate in Michigan where it's easier to do business in Michigan,"

Before she left for CMU, DeVos expressed a politician's optimism concerning the results of the tomorrow's vote.

"We're working hard," she said. "I think we'll be celebrating on Election Day."

Elissa, one of four DeVos children, is a senior at Princeton and has been very active in her father's quest for the governorship.

She was featured along with her sister Andrea in a recent DeVos campaign ad. Again she spoke on her father's qualities, not only as a politician, but also as a father.

DeVos plans on visiting several more college campuses before tomorrow's gubernatorial elections.