Since announcing his candidacy in December, MSU College of Law student John Knowles has learned how much work campaigning for a seat in the Michigan House of Representatives involves.
"It's been tremendously exhausting," Knowles said.
Balancing his campaign and other commitments has 25-year-old Knowles typically working from 8 a.m. to midnight, he said.
Knowles is taking 14 credits as he works toward his law degree, and as an assistant in the Office of the Deans at the law college. He's also an active member of St. John Student Parish in East Lansing, where he serves as a Eucharist minister and lecturer.
In addition, he works as a chapter advisor to Delta Sigma Phi.
"The campaign takes up about as much time as those combined," he said.
Knowles, a Republican, will seek the 69th District seat held by Rep. Gretchen Whitmer, D-East Lansing. The district includes MSU, East Lansing and Williamston and Meridian townships. The general election for that seat will be held in November.
Knowles said he hopes to address three major issues during his campaign. First, push for reform of the regulatory and tax environment in Michigan.
"I don't think you can separate the issue of economic recession from the state's irrational tax and regulatory environment," he said.
Knowles said he also wants to produce legislation to combat eminent domain seizures, adding he "believes strongly in property rights." Finally, Knowles believes the state should work to promote positive values in our society.
While he acknowledges that the campaign has been time consuming, Knowles is excited about the progress made in the past month.
He said his campaign has raised thousands of dollars and attracted the interest of state leaders and help from numerous volunteers.
Those volunteers represent a wide variety of people, Knowles said, including students, young professionals, longtime East Lansing residents, and people across political viewpoints.
"It's a broad range of people and backgrounds," Knowles said. "That's the type of representative I want to be as well. I want to represent a large body of people."
Knowles admits it is fair for people to question how someone his age can expect to be a leader in state government, but believes his experiences will help him overcome that.
As an undergraduate at Western Michigan University, where he earned a degree in international relations and comparative religion, he was student body president. The experience helped him to better understand how policy is made, he said.
In addition, he cited Whitmer, who was elected at the age of 29, as an example of the citizens of this district being willing to elect a younger candidate.
International relations junior David Coogan, who is the second vice chair for the MSU College Republicans, had an opportunity to meet Knowles last week when he attended one of the group's meetings. He came away from the meeting impressed by Knowles' energy and speaking ability.
"If he was in the state legislature he would be able to represent a different demographic than is being represented there currently," Coogan said.
Knowles also believes people are looking for new types of leaders.
"I am not beholden to anyone. I don't know any lobbyists," he said. "I can honestly say nothing stands between me and them (the constituents)."
Another Republican, John Currie has also announced his intention to run for the seat.
Norm Shinkle, chair of the Ingham County Republican Party, believes both Currie and Knowles are strong candidates, but East Lansing, which is the largest unit of government in the 69th District, tends to favor Democrats.
"(Knowles) is very energetic, thoughtful, and very intelligent," Shinkle said. "I think his energy is going to be his strong suit not only for this campaign but for any endeavor that he is preparing to undertake."
Meanwhile, Shinkle said, Currie's experience will aid him.
"(Currie) has been around the capitol scene for quite a few years. He is mature and thoughtful," Shinkle said. "Both of these guys would make good state reps. I am pleased with what I see."
