Michigan GOP cancels Huntsman event

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., April 29 (UPI) -- A Michigan Republican says she canceled an event set to be attended by Utah's moderate GOP governor because it would have betrayed the party's values.

Kent County, Mich., Republican Chairwoman Joanne Voorhees canceled the party fundraiser scheduled for Saturday, which was to be attended by Utah Gov. Jon Hunstman Jr., The Salt Lake Tribune reported Wednesday.

"The voters want and expect us to stand on principle and return to our roots," Voorhees was quoted by the Grand Rapids Press as saying in an e-mail. "Unfortunately, by holding an event with Governor Huntsman, we would be doing the exact opposite."

Voorhees didn't specify in the e-mail why the fundraiser was canceled, and she didn't return calls to the Tribune. However, the group Campaign for Michigan Families praised the cancellation, saying it was because of Huntsman's support of civil unions for same-sex couples.

"Presumably he is testing the waters (for a U.S. presidential run) and we hope he realizes now the waters in Michigan will be hazardous to someone who endorses the homosexual activist political agenda," campaign director Gary Glenn told the Tribune.