Voter’s guide to the state election
Oct 30, 2014
State Senate for the 30th District:
Sarah Howard (D):
- Lawyer from 2002 to 2014, former experience with political offices
- BA from Western Michigan University, law degree from the University of Michigan
- Supports state funds for Detroit
- Supports the construction of the Detroit River International Crossing
- Does not support the “Right to Work” law, which allows workers to choose not to be represented by a union
- Wants to equalize the income tax burden
- Wants to amend the Elliot-Larsen Civil Rights Act to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation
- Does not support the Abortion Insurance Opt-Out Act
Arlan Meekhof (R):
- Current state senator, former state representative
- Bachelor’s from Davenport University
- Supports state funds for Detroit
- Does not support the construction of the Detroit River International Crossing
- Sponsored the “Right to Work” bill
- Has worked to repeal the Michigan Business Tax and the Personal Property Tax
- Does not want to amend the Elliot-Larsen Act
- Supports the Abortion Insurance Opt-Out Act
State House of Representatives for the 88th District:
Janice Gwasdacus (D):
- Billing service manager at AT&T
- BBA from Davenport University
- Thinks Michigan should focus on alternative energy sources
- Supports the Affordable Care Act
- Believes in campaign finance reform
- Wants to allow student borrowers to enter bankruptcy
Roger Victory (R):
- Current state representative
- Bachelor’s degree from Davenport University
- Wants to repair the Michigan roads with state funds
- Voted against the minimum wage increase
- Wants to strengthen the Michigan agriculture sector
- Does not support legalized abortion or gay marriage
State Senate for the 28th District:
Deb Havens (D):
- Producer/ writer and retired educator
- BA from Western Michigan University, MA from University of Florida, doctorate from Eastern Michigan University
- Supports the allocation of state funds to help Detroit emerge from municipal bankruptcy
- Advocates for the construction of the Detroit River International Crossing
- Does not support making Michigan a “Right to Work” state
- Supports amending the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act to prohibit discrimination based on a person’s sexual orientation
- Supports same sex marriage and the decriminalization of recreational marijuana
Peter MacGregor (R):
- Current representative for the 73rd District
- BA from Michigan State University
- Does not support the increase in minimum wage
- Does not support legalized abortion or gay marriage
- Helped pass “Right to Work” legislation
- Helped eliminate lifetime welfare benefits and implemented a 48 month lifetime cap on cash assistance for able-bodied individuals
Ted Gerrard (UST):
- Business owner
- BS from Southern Illinois University Carbondale
- Does not support the increase in minimum wage
- Believes Michigan should divest itself from the Department of Education
- Advocate of the right to bear arms
- Does not support legalized abortion or gay marriage
- Believes in limited government involvement
State House of Representatives for the 75th District:
Brandon Dillon (D):
- Current representative for the 75th District, former Kent County commissioner
- Bachelor’s degree from Grand Rapids Community College
- Opposes “Right to Work” legislation
- Supports amending the Elliot-Larsen Civil Rights Act to prohibit discrimination based on a person’s sexual orientation
- Advocates for small class sizes and education funding
- In favor of legalized gay marriage
John Lohrstorfer (R):
- Chief technology officer at Loxodonta Development
- Degree from Aquinas College
- Supports a tax credit for employers who pay for public transit for employees
- Did not provide more information on his positions on key issues
State Senate for the 29th District:
Lance Penny (D):
- Professional driver
- BA from Beloit College
- Does not support the state’s current use of emergency managers
- Supports raising fees on heavy trucks to raise funds for roads and dedicating the current sales tax on gasoline to roads
- Supports legally recognized gay marriage
- Supports legalized abortion
Dave Hildenbrand (R):
- Current State Senator
- BS from Michigan State University
- Supports the state’s current use of emergency managers
- Does not support legally recognized gay marriage
- Does not support legalized abortion
State House of Representatives for the 76th District:
Winnie Brinks (D):
- Current state representative for the 75th District
- BA from Calvin College
- Supports multiple tax credits
- Would like to slow the rapid rise in college tuition
- Supports an increase in minimum wage
- Committed to restoring funding to Michigan schools
- Supports legalized abortion and gay marriage
Donijo DeJonge (R):
- Professor of public finance at Grand Valley State University
- BS from Central Michigan University, MA and PhD from Rutgers University
- Would like to reallocate part of the gas tax revenue to repair the state’s roads
- Does not support any further increase in minimum wage
- Would like to see an increase in a trained labor force in Michigan
- Does not support legalized abortion, but leaves marriage up to religious institutions
William Mohr (UST):
- Former precinct delegate for the Republican party, currently self-employed
- No higher education information provided
- Advocates for Second Amendment rights
- Believes the Department of Education should be abolished
- Does not believe there should be a minimum wage
- Does not support legalized abortion or gay marriage