Republican presidential candidate John McCain will be making two appearances in Grand Rapids in July according to media reports. McCain will appear at two fundraisers in the Grand Rapids area at the homes of wealthy Republicans. On July 2, McCain will be at a fundraiser at the home of real estate developer Samuel Cummings and on July 17, he will be at the home of Peter Secchia.
Both Cummings and Secchia are prominent businessmen in Grand Rapids who have in the past provided significant support to Republican candidates running for a variety of offices. According to the Center for Responsive Politics, Cummings–who owns Second Story Properties–has contributed $9,500 to Republican candidates and parties since 1995. Cummings is also listed as a “bundler”–a fundraiser that pools contributions from multiple political action committees (PACs) and individuals–for the McCain campaign according to White House for Sale.
Peter Secchia is a former Ambassador to Italy who has contributed $208,535 to Republican candidates and parties since 1995. In 2006, Vice President Dick Cheney spoke at a fundraiser at Secchia’s home.
