Although the election to appoint a new representative for East Lansing in the state House is a year away, three candidates have announced they want to run for the position.
East Lansing Mayor Mark Meadows and East Lansing residents John Currie and Mary Lindemann have announced their plans to fill the seat currently held by Rep. Gretchen Whitmer, D-East Lansing.
"We are well underway," Meadows, a Democrat, said. "I'd like to accomplish a lot of things. I want to see more equitable funding between all state universities. We've gotten to a point where it is a critical issue everywhere."
Lindemann, who is a Democrat, said higher education also is a major priority, adding she also would like to implement new environmental policies to protect resources such as the Great Lakes.
"I am going to try very hard to try and get appointed to the subcommittee on higher education," she said. "I hope I would work closely with President (Lou Anna K.) Simon and the other faculty.
"(MSU) is the most wonderful institution in the state of Michigan. My cat even knows the fight song."
Currie, a Republican, did not return repeated calls for comment, but sent out a statement announcing his candidacy.
Whitmer cannot run for the 69th District again because of term limits and said she wants to fill the seat currently occupied by Sen. Virg Bernero, D-Lansing.
"I want to provide a strong voice on behalf of MSU and higher education for everyone in the state," she said. "We've got to make sure more people can get a quality college degree."
Bernero is running against incumbent Tony Benavides in Lansing's mayoral race on Nov. 8. If Bernero wins, a special election could be called to fill his seat in the Senate — Whitmer said she is preparing to run for the seat.
"The election is on Tuesday — I don't know what is going to happen," she said. "I am going to make sure we continue to have a strong progressive voice."
A special election would have to be called by Gov. Jennifer Granholm, but it's too early to tell what will happen, Granholm's spokeswoman Liz Boyd said.
"Depending on the outcome of the election, the seat would not be vacated until Jan. 1," she said.
Cullen Schwarz, Bernero's campaign manager, said Bernero is clearly the front runner, but they aren't taking anything for granted.
"We've been knocking on doors and making phone calls to Lansing residents since May," he said. "This allows him a chance to listen to the needs and concerns of the people of Lansing."
The Benavides camp said it is poised for victory and can win the mayoral election on Nov. 8.
"We've got so much momentum going right now," John Moralez, Benavides' campaign manager said. "We have been covering a lot of ground over the last two weeks. We are on the verge of making history."
