GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Local businessman Brian Ellis says U.S. Rep. Justin Amash doesn't vote with the values of the Third District in mind, and he'll be the candidate to bring those principles back to Washington.

Ellis spoke with MLive Grand Rapids Press on Friday morning regarding a host of issues as the race between the two men blazes a new trail following yesterday's heated exchange on a call-in radio show.

Despite their Republican Party association, Amash, R-Cascade Township, and Ellis are at odds. Here are a few areas where they differ and how Ellis describes his better path forward:

On the National Security Agency

"To me, it's two separate issues," Ellis said. "I'm not privy to all the data and information that (Amash) has, but by everything I read, it appears as if the NSA has overstepped the bounds and possibly is being too intrusive with collection of the data. We should rein that in.

"Where I'm not in agreement (with Amash,) ... when a government contractor takes our secrets ... goes to a foreign country and spills, Amash calls that a whistleblower. I have a problem with that. He's a flat-out traitor in my book.

"I agree with what (Amash) is doing. Again, if the NSA appears, I'm going by what I read, if this steps over the line, then by all means our privacy should be protected. Our privacy and and safety always has been at tension. It appears we have overreacted from 9/11 and 9/11 was a horrific event, and our government has reacted to keep us safe. I think we all want safety ... but that doesn't give (Edward) Snowden a pass. He's broken laws.

"He's exposing our precious methods and information all designed to keep the country safe. That is not a whistleblower in my mind. ... There's a way to do that within our country and within our laws and he chose to violate that and disclose that information."

Amash on NSA: Rep. Amash condemns NSA spying, offers bipartisan solution at first town hall meeting since shutdown

On the government shutdown, the Affordable Care Act, or "Obamacare"

"Justin was part of the Ted Cruz, (R-Texas), faction, the threat to default on our debt," Ellis said. "I find that very irresponsible.

"At the end of the day, Republicans ended up with a black eye. The premise was right. 'Obamacare' is and has been a disaster but the tactic ... you do not threaten to default on our debt, you do not threaten the full faith and credit of the U.S. government. That's something you do not fool around with.

"Justin was right in the middle of it."

Amash on shutdown: Amash, Huizenga vote against budget deal that ends government shutdown

On being an effective leader

"A lot of our issues are economic in nature, and I'm very focused on that because we need more jobs and a better performing economy," Ellis said. "When there's policy issues before Congress, you need to take votes that are going to further and bolster the economy.

"Cutting taxes for businesses is going to help, voting for the Keystone (XL) pipeline and creating jobs, lowering energy costs ... that's a big deal.

"You need to take an affirmative vote when these come before you, most Republicans are doing that. ... (Amash) isn't supporting these things, come on, what's going on?"

Earlier, with reasons behind Amash's votes: 'Traditional conservatism' to drive Brian Ellis' primary campaign against Rep. Justin Amash

Andrew Krietz covers breaking and general police/fire news for MLive | The Grand Rapids Press. Email him at akrietz@mlive.com or follow him on Twitter.