Meet the candidates for state Senate
Note: The responses may have been formatted, but have not been edited in any way. Candidates are listed in alphabetical order.
Political party (if applicable): Republican
Office you're running for:
Age: 67
Occupation: Retired
Education:
Elected offices held: None
Community Involvement: Campaign Co-Coordinator,
Why are you running for office? Conservative leaders such as Senator
What do you think are the 2/3 biggest issues facing the city/county/state right now?
1. Education and improving our graduation rate, ability to have college-ready students, and children who can read in the third grade.
2. Lower car insurance and registration fees, especially for seniors.
3. Fixing the roads and infrastructure.
How do you plan to address these issues?
1. I want to fix education from the ground up not force-feed teachers and students from the Federal and State level. Get rid of
2. Work on getting rid of fraud in the car insurance industry... set some fees so that a
3. Put the money into the roads that was originally ear-marked for them, but more importantly, build higher quality roads with a rubberized surface that last 3-4 times longer(already tested).
What qualifications/experiences set you apart from your opponents?
I am married, with a large family, which gives me a unique perspective and worldview. I have a passion for young people and have been volunteering two days a week at
Political party (if applicable): Republican
Office you're running for:
Age: 39
Occupation: Michigan State Representative,
Education:
Elected offices held: Michigan State Representative, elected in 2014 and 2016
Community Involvement:
Representative
Children's Afterschool Achievement Program, Former Board Member
Kid's Food Basket, Former Board Member
West Coast Chamber Public Policy Committee Member
Leadership
Why are you running for office?
I am running to be a voice for
What do you think are the 2/3 biggest issues facing the city/county/state right now?
My top priorities include working to sustain the economic progress we have made over the last eight years, addressing the education, workforce and talent needs of our community and maintaining a fiscally responsible budget that is completed in a timely fashion. Other priorities include addressing infrastructure needs and lowering auto insurance rates for
How do you plan to address these issues?
Since my time in the legislature, I have made it a priority to understand the needs of our growing community. I have met with businesses, educators, local units of government, community members etc. to identify the concerns and opportunities in our region and then advocate on behalf of
I will continue to work with the business and education community to address the economic and talent issues that face our state. I will continue to work on legislation that provides for deregulation and smarter regulation in order for our business community to succeed. I have worked on and will continue working to provide flexibility in our schools so that our students may enter the workforce prepared when going directly into the workforce, into a skilled trade or a two or four-year degree program. I will continue to support programs that provide for skilled training for individuals who are currently in the workforce and need additional skills for the jobs of today and the future.
With respect to roads and infrastructure, I will continue to advocate for responsible investment from the State's general fund and increased accountability. Since my time in the legislature,
What qualifications/experiences set you apart from your opponents?
I have a unique background in public policy, with over 15 years of policy experience. I know how to work with stakeholders, craft policy and understand the appropriations and legislative process. I take the time to study legislation and work with individuals in our community to understand the policy implications that it will have on our community. Throughout my career, I have worked on policy issues that impact all residents of
Political party (if applicable): Republican
Office you're running for: State Senator,
Age: 58
Occupation: Director, Governmental Affairs,
Education:
Elected offices held: State Representative, 2009-2014;
Community Involvement: Many organizations, including my church,
Why are you running for office?
To finish the job I worked on as chair of the
What do you think are the 2/3 biggest issues facing the city/county/state right now?
1. Strengthening local government as they are closest to the people and can respond to problems more quickly with less cost than can
2. Restoring civility and honor to our issue and political discussions, thereby increasing the opportunity for cooperation and ending gridlock on such issues as the high cost of auto insurance;
3. Reforming
How do you plan to address these issues?
1. Increase revenue sharing for local governments to address roads, water, sewer and other infrastructure needs without raising taxes by using my experience as House Appropriations Chair to re-direct savings found in duplication and waste in state departments to fund more tools for local government.
2. Encourage the initiation of civility courses in schools, colleges and state employee training programs to encourage positive debate and constructive critical speech. In the Legislature, insist on enforcement of existing rules that prohibit personal attacks during debates.
3. Using my
What qualifications/experiences set you apart from your opponents?
Alone among the four candidates for state senator I have the following combination of experiences: husband, father, grandfather; 21 years in the construction industry; 30 years of public service in
Political party (if applicable): Democrat
Office you're running for:
Age: 41
Occupation: Administration,
Education: Attended
Elected offices held: None
Community Involvement:
Member
Board Member of
Community Park Party Organizer
Community Event Planning for churches
Why are you running for office?
I believe in democracy and the importance of the voice of The People, I am running to represent a voice of many that have been under-represented for far too long. I desire to bring compassion back into government and invest in people, rather than corporations.
What do you think are the 2/3 biggest issues facing the city/county/state right now?
How do you plan to address these issues?
Living wages and
I support a minimum
I will work with municipalities to address new construction initiatives that will incentivize new homes being built in the
We must first stabilize the Affordable Care Act, then work towards a Medicare-for-All plan that removes profit and reduces healthcare cost for employers and employees.
I want to address Mental Health discrimination by streamlining complaints for those seeking mental health treatment. Hold the corporations and institutions accountable to the Federal Parity Law and customer access of services. I will lead
Public Education
We must first stop raiding the K-12 education fund.
Stop our tax dollars from going towards for-profit charter schools and private schools.
Create equitable funding distribution to school districts.
Fund schools with a tiered
What qualifications/experiences set you apart from your opponents?
My opponents have experience in politics, I have experience in people. I have a wealth of life experience that allows me to empathize with those in poverty, those experiencing homelessness, abuse, and those struggling to pay bills each week. I come with the lens of a Latina, a survivor, a mother, and an advocate. I sit on boards that matter to people, because I represent the voice of the people. I want to bring that voice into government and put people above profits and bottom lines.
Political party (if applicable): Republican
Office you're running for: State
Age: 53
Occupation: Farmer -- Owner/Operator of
Education:
Elected offices held: State
Community Involvement:
Former President Ottawa County Farm Bureau.
Deacon and Elder at
Why are you running for office?
I am running for
What do you think are the 2/3 biggest issues facing the city/county/state right now?
Auto Insurance Reform
Road and Infrastructure Funding
How do you plan to address these issues?
1. Auto Insurance Reform
I am proud to have voted to lower our auto insurance rates. We pay the highest car insurance rates in the country and they are continuing to go up. The current system is simply unsustainable and unfair. We have to stop talking about the problem and take actions to solve it. To just say "NO" to the only chance we have had in 30 years to lower our car insurance rates is foolish and inexcusable.
I support auto insurance reform that: gives drivers a choice, stops fraud and abuse in the insurance system, requires transparency for auto no fault claims, and most importantly will prohibit healthcare services from charging more for auto accident related care.
2. Road and Infrastructure Funding
I recently worked with the Governor and a few fellow Representatives to pass the 21st Century Infrastructure Program. This legislation, the first of its kind in the nation, will provide us with a full understanding of the condition of our roads, bridges, waterways, and utilities. We will be able to properly budget and plan for comprehensive repairs and ensure that we are using proven best practices to build better and longer lasting roads, bridges, and water systems.
This is important because, while we can all see and feel how bad our roads are, it is much harder to see the condition of our water systems and other underground utilities. We have to look at all of our infrastructure concerns and make sure we are building a better and safer future for our community.
To better support these types of smart investments I have also secured increased road funding every year I served on the Transportation Budget Committee. I have worked hard to cut government waste and ensure that the funding goes directly into road repair.
3.
What qualifications/experiences set you apart from your opponents?
I am running for
This is why I hold my office hours on Saturdays, outside of 9-5, and at some of the busiest restaurants around. I want to talk to the hardworking men and women of
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