Kelley, who worked as treasurer of Meadows’ 2006 campaign, said he is proud of the work Meadows has done as a member of Michigan’s House of Representatives.

“It’s kind of a mentor and protégé relationship,” Kelley said. “I know I can rely on his friendship, and he can come to me for advice.”

Meadows, D-East Lansing, might be seeking that advice this fall as he runs for his second term as the District 69 state representative.

Since leaving Kelley’s office after 27 years, Meadows has held several public offices — with about a decade on the East Lansing City Council, including a stretch as mayor from 1997 to 2006.

He said his experience in politics gives him the know-how that his Republican opponent, Frank Lambert, can’t offer.

Lambert is a General Motors Corp. line worker who has not held public office.

“Our job is to serve you — I have the experience to do that,” Meadows said. “I don’t know Frank, but I know he doesn’t have that experience.”

In particular, Meadows said he is proud of legislation he sponsored to keep children from being left alone in vehicles and to protect senior citizens from financial exploitation.

He said he also is proud of helping push the Great Lakes compact to protect against water diversions.

State Rep. Joan Bauer, D-Lansing, is a former Lansing City Council member who has known Meadows professionally for more than 15 years. She said his experience is one of his greatest political assets.

“He understands the state government system perhaps better than almost any other legislator,” Bauer said.

As representatives for neighboring districts, Meadows and Bauer meet regularly to discuss issues of regional importance. Bauer said she is amazed by the amount of leadership Meadows has shown as a first-term representative.

Meadows volunteered to serve on the following committees: Labor, Great Lakes and Environment, Intergovernmental, Urban and Regional Affairs, Judiciary, New Economy and Quality of Life and Regulatory Reform.

“He’s very active in the committee process,” Bauer said. “Most people have two or three, but Mark’s got (six). Plus, he was appointed and took on a really big special committee that deals with retirement issues.”

As the representative for a district comprised largely of college-aged constituents, Meadows said the state’s educational funding problem is a top priority. He said the only way to fix the problem is to increase government spending.

“If we continue along this line, only the wealthy are going to be able to attend college,” Meadows said. “I hate to admit it, but (the solution) is a tax increase. We ought to at least put on the ballot a raising of the sales tax from 6 to 7 cents.”

He also supports implementing a sales tax on bottled water and other non-necessity goods.

Meadows has been endorsed by pro-choice group MI Good Guys, a women’s rights group that seeks to elect pro-choice Democratic candidates. Meadows is one of seven candidates on this year’s ballot to receive a $100 campaign contribution from MI Good Guys, the group’s director Barb Fuller said.

“It is in recognition for his leadership and commitment to a women’s right to choose free from government interference,” Fuller said.

After two years in the state Legislature, Meadows said he has learned the ropes and is ready to accomplish the goals he set when he took office in 2006. Namely, he said he would like to help pass legislation to create jobs and protect the environment.

But first, he has to be re-elected.

Kelley said he’s not worried about his mentee’s chances.

“He has an excellent personality and a good manner about him,” Kelley said. “He’s been in the Legislature for three years and done a good job. His voting record is there for the public to look at, and I don’t think he’s ever voted against the public interest.”