For two years, incumbent Rep. Gretchen Whitmer has worked to establish herself within the chambers of the state House, getting experience with higher education funding issues. With term limits looming on many legislators, the East Lansing Democrat is poised to become a leading voice in the House.
We recommend Whitmer be re-elected to serve the 69th District, which includes MSU.
While her opponent, Larry Ward, R-Williamston, is a qualified and respectable businessman, the MSU community cannot afford to pull the investment it has in Whitmer’s freshman experience.
The 31-year-old MSU alumna also brings an open mind to the legislative table.
She is understanding of the social issues students are concerned about. She supports affirmative action and wants to improve upon the state government’s support for such programs.
She supports amending state civil rights laws to prevent discrimination based on sexual orientation and believes same-sex partners deserve the same legal benefits heterosexual couples have.
Ward’s social ideals are just too conservative for this area. While he speaks in support of equal treatment under the law for all citizens, he isn’t as passionate about pursuing steps to ensure protections.
Although some criticize Whitmer for being too quiet during her freshman term by failing to introduce legislation, they should realize the difficulties she faced as a new Democratic member of a Republican law-making machine.
But Whitmer should recognize the need for her to become a greater voice in her chamber.
She should make it a point to be a driving force during her second term. The House, hit hard by term limits, will need her leadership.
And while it is respectable for Whitmer to approach issues with an open mind and become well-researched, the time has come for her to choose her sides and fight hard for them. She seems to have figured that out.
Whitmer said she wants to make education her “No. 1 budget priority,” but she is a realist and acknowledges some cuts might be necessary to balance the state budget.
She seems unafraid of attacking the state’s budget difficulties - she wants lawmakers to stop “plugging holes” in Michigan’s budget and address more comprehensive issues, trimming government interference and considering a single-business tax cut pause.
While Ward speaks in the similar vein of recognizing the state’s need to eliminate waste from government funds and pressure important budget items, such as education and health care, he just isn’t in the position to get MSU what it needs.
Although the House could remain in Republican control, Whitmer knows the key players she will need to lobby - on both sides of the aisle - to close the funding gap between MSU, the University of Michigan and Wayne State University, because she serves on the House’s Higher Education Appropriations Subcommittee .
This issue is not partisan, but it is about college pride, and Whitmer stands to serve her school well.
When it comes down to who is in best poised to benefit the members of the MSU community, Whitmer is the clear choice. Voters should send her back to the state House.
