The GOP candidate for governor of Michigan, Dick DeVos, has has invested tens of millions of dollars in building the organizations of the religious right and the wider conservative movement. The money comes primarily from family foundations related to AMWAY company. But according to an article in the Detroit Metro Times, he doesn't like to talk much about the profoundly Christian right views that inform his philanthropy and certainly his politics. Although he does his best to be a stealth candidate in this regard, the truth is that if you like James Dobson, you'll love Dick DeVos.

DeVos currently trails incumbent Governor Jennifer Granholm according to the latest polls, however if elected, as governor of a major state, and a possible candidate for higher office, he will be one of the most prominent Christian right elected leaders in the United States.

Fortunately, author and journalist Russ Bellant has been researching the DeVos empire for many years, and agreed to be interviewed by the Detroit Metro Times for a piece on the DeVos family philanthropy -- which for starters contributed $570,000 to James Dobson's Focus on the Family between 1996 and 2004 (the last year for which there are public records available.)  Here are a few details from this important story.