Age: 57

Party affiliation: Democrat

Hometown: Owosso Township

Occupation: Executive vice president, Michigan Public Employees, SEIU Local 517M

Education: Bachelor's degree from MSU

Experience: Three-term Shiawassee County Commissioner; finance chair, County Board of Commissioners; member of the MSU Labor and Industrial Relations Advisory Panel

Family: Married

Web site: philthompsongogreen.com

• Make sure college costs remain affordable

• Establish a strong outreach program with MSU's students, faculty, and employees