Mark Williams, chairman of the Tea Party Express, said the tour is targeting U.S. Rep. Bart Stupak, D-Mich., as a part of its efforts in Michigan. Stupak, a anti-abortion advocate heavily involved in the health care debate, announced his retirement Friday.

“Michigan is pretty much a poster child state of the failures of freedom,” Williams said. “(Stupak) sold out his constitution, his country and his constituents for the sake of a legislative kickback for the health care vote. Mr. Stupak disappointed us all greatly.”

Stupak helped pass the health care bill last month, signing the legislation after President Barack Obama issued an executive order stating that federal money would not be spent on abortions. Stupak has since defended his decision and said he is proud to have been a part of an effort to provide affordable, quality health care to millions of Americans, according to a statement from Stupak’s office.

The number of stops in Michigan was increased from five to 10 after the tour decided to target Stupak, Williams said.

“No other state in the country has seen more jobs destroyed by social politics than Michigan,” he said.

The Tea Party Express arrived about an hour later than expected, but protesters were rallied by gubernatorial candidates Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox and Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard. Both spoke about irresponsible government spending and government disregard for constituent concerns.

Cox, who recently filed a lawsuit against the federal government calling the health care bill unconstitutional, said he was glad to see constituents speaking their minds.

“I started with (the Tea Party Express) in Escanaba and we’ve been making our way to Lansing ever since,” he said. “This is democracy in action. This is people getting out and using their voice in the political process, and that can only be good.”

Tea partiers both young and old picketed the lawn, including finance junior Martins Trautmanis, who joined his mother to protest the health care bill.

“I just think what’s going on in the government right now is really unfair and there are a lot lies and deceit going on,” Trautmanis said. “I think (the health care bill) is the wrong way to go. … A lot of companies have announced that they’ll be cutting coverage and cutting back on employees’ plans even for people with retirement plans.”

Lansing resident Kathy Miles said she was attending a tea party event for the first time because she is afraid the country is sliding into socialism.

“I’m not happy with the way the legislators and the president are conducting themselves,” Miles said. “I just felt I had to do something. I’m not here to represent either political party but more to unite myself with other Americans who are concerned with what is going on.”

Staff writer Marissa Cumbers contributed to this report.