One person attends Rep. Schmidt's public gathering | News

GRAND RAPIDS (WZZM) - Republican State Representative Roy Schmidt has always held coffee hours to meet with citizens, but he put that practice on hold after he switched parties at the last second before the primary election.

Tuesday morning, Rep. Schmidt held his first public coffee since the controversy erupted.

Expecting a crowd, he moved it to a larger restaurant, but media and staff members far outnumbered concerned citizens. Outside of friends and family, only one constituent came to chat.   Bob Strek discussed concerns he has about the impact of Grand River whitewater rafting on the fishery there.

Others who spoke with Schmidt included his brother, and a Grand Rapids police officer who was at Schmidt's reelection party earlier this month.

Schmidt says he's been hearing a lot from citizens as he's campaigned door to door, but admits he was surprised by the tiny turnout Tuesday.