Voters should choose Democrat Gretchen Whitmer for State Representative in Michigan’s 70th district.
Both Whitmer and her opponent, Republican Bill Hollister, are qualified for the legislative seat. Both are strong candidates and have the experience and dedication to public service to be effective legislators.
Whitmer, 29, is an East Lansing attorney who grew up and currently resides in the city. She earned a bachelor’s degree from MSU, as well as earned a law degree from MSU-Detroit College of Law.
Whitmer has made a stronger argument to gain funding for MSU than Hollister. Whitmer shows interest in serving on the higher education subcommittee, in which she can take an active role in the fight for the university.
A state funding increase would have a huge impact on MSU. Faculty salaries are the lowest in the Big Ten and MSU will be experiencing a high rate of faculty turnover in the near future. Whitmer will be a stronger voice for the university and will fight to end this period of lack of funding for MSU.
Also, electing a Democrat to the state House will ensure that Democrats have a stronger voice in a state government run by the GOP. All branches of Michigan’s government are currently controlled by Republicans, which does not promote the vigorous debate necessary to create the best public policy.
Hollister, 59, has served on the Board of Directors at Sparrow Health System for 20 years, as well as the Board of Trustees of Lansing Community College. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Oklahoma, and his master’s degree from MSU and served as a Lieutenant in the United States Navy in Vietnam. Hollister has been a homeowner in East Lansing for more than two decades, and he and his wife, Diane, have one daughter.
Each candidate possesses the character and integrity to represent this district. Both candidates are dedicated to listening to concerns of the district’s residents, as they have done during their door-to-door campaigning.
Whitmer and Hollister take similar positions on many issues. Reforming health care is a priority of both candidates. Both also believe in maintaining a high quality of public education.
Each candidate has enough practical experience to be an effective legislator. Hollister has firsthand experience in education and health care through his work at LCC and Lansing’s Sparrow Hospital. Whitmer has direct legislative experience through her work as a law clerk in the U.S. District Court and a legislative analyst for the Democratic Policy Staff in the Michigan House of Representatives.
Both Whitmer and Hollister have MSU roots. Both are MSU graduates and seem to have genuine interest and love for the university. Both recognize that MSU is not receiving its fair share of state funding, and both vow to work to close the gap between MSU and other universities in the state.
Despite the similarities between the two candidates, Whitmer deserves the support of voters.
A vote for Whitmer furthers MSU’s chances to receive appropriate funding and also lessens the chance of having one political party administer complete control over the state government.
