On Tuesday, East Lansing voters will decide not only which Democrat and Republican gubernatorial candidates will advance to the November general elections, but also who will advance in numerous other positions at the local, state and federal levels.
Michigan has an open primary system, so any registered voter can cast a ballot without belonging to a specific political party. Voters cannot, however, “split” their ticket and vote for candidates from both parties.
East Lansing and MSU voters are divided into several precincts within the city. To view a copy of your precinct’s sample ballot and find your polling location, visit michigan.gov/vote.
The polls are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Republican
Mike Cox, Michigan Attorney General
Experience: worked at Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office 1990-2002, attorney general since 2003
In his words: “The first step to creating new jobs in Michigan is cutting government spending and cutting taxes and letting families and entrepreneurs keep more of their money,” spokesman Nick De Leeuw said. “That will kick-start the economy.”
State Sen. Tom George, R-Kalamazoo
Experience: elected to state House of Representatives in 2000, elected to state Senate in 2002, physician for Hospice of Greater Kalamazoo
In his words: “We need to invest in things that produce jobs. … We have to invest less in our social programs and move that money back to things that will bring jobs.”
U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra, R-Holland
Experience: 15-year career at Herman Miller Inc., U.S. congressman since 1992
In his words: “The No. 1: You have got create a better business climate. Once you create a better business climate in Michigan, Michigan businesses will be able to grow and prosper. … Then other businesses will take a look at coming to Michigan.”
Rick Snyder, Ann Arbor businessman
Experience: CEO and co-founder of Ardesta, an Ann Arbor microtechnology firm, and former CEO and chairman of Gateway Inc.
In his words: “We need to invest in higher education funding because it’s one of the greatest assets we have in our state. One of the challenges there is right now: Tuition is too high for many people and we need to make it more affordable.”
Mike Bouchard, Oakland County sheriff
Experience: served in state Senate 1991-99, appointed to Oakland County Sheriff in 1999 and has been reelected three times
In his words: “Jobs, jobs, jobs. It has to be jobs and the creation of jobs, that’s why I’m running, because I want my daughter to stay in the state. … Everything else comes from a solid economy.”
Democrat
Andy Dillon, speaker of the state House, D-Redford
Experience: served in state House since 2004, speaker since 2007
In his words: “Jobs … require our kids to get an education past high school, so we need to put more dollars to it. … We have got to look at more of a pre-kindergarten to 14 model, rather than a K-12 model.”
Virg Bernero, Lansing Mayor
Experience: elected to state House of Representatives in 2000, elected to state Senate in 2002, Lansing mayor since 2005
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In his words: “Everyone agrees jobs (are) the No. 1 priority. But … in today’s global economy, education is right there with economic development. …We have to invest in our universities.”
Republican
Frank Lambert
Experience: U.S. Army veteran, General Motors Corp. lineworker, ran unsuccessfully for state Senate in 2006 and state House of Representatives in 2008
In his words: “We need to redo the tax structure, but when we redo it, the people need to vote on it, so it becomes part of the (Michigan) Constitution. It needs to be a fair tax structure for everyone so everyone can win, rather than what we are doing now — picking winners and losers.”
Susan McGillicuddy
Experience: 10 years as Meridian Township supervisor
In her words: “I’m running because I want to make a difference in state government. The state doesn’t run that much differently than the township, so for me, I like the process and I work well with people. I look for ways to compromise and work together and I think we can accomplish a lot.”
Democrat
Mark Meadows, incumbent
Experience: two-time incumbent and former East Lansing mayor
In his words: “My priorities are to continue to fight for more education dollars, to continue to propose legislation and pursue legislation that can get Michigan moving again.”
Republican
Kyle J. Haubrich
Experience: student at MSU’s College of Law
In his words: “It’s better to be a student and get elected because at least I have observed the students’ needs. Another reason (I’m running) was I have two little kids and my wife and I are expecting a third in December. I’m watching as their futures are being put in debt.”
Democrat
Gretchen Whitmer, incumbent
Experience: state representative 2001-06, elected to Senate in 2006
In her words: “We have got to make sure that education remains one of the things we do the best. I’m going to not only fight against cuts, but continue to fight for a greater investment in education, because I think it’s one of the most important things we need to do in the state.”
Republican
Mike Rogers, R-Brighton, incumbent
Experience: U.S. Army veteran, special agent with Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Chicago office, state Senator 1995-2000, U.S. representative for 8th District since 2000
In his words: “He believes that we need to stop so much spending and putting the country in such deep debt,” spokeswoman Sylvia Warner said. “That kills jobs here in America. He also thinks that we can’t set the country back on its feet if we can’t get that funding and that debt that we are running up under control.”
Democrat
Kande Ngalamulume
Although he remains on the ballot, Ngalamulume dropped his bid for Congress on June 2, citing a lack of funds. He has not campaigned since then.
Write-in candidate
Lance Enderle, running as a write-in candidate
Although his name will not appear on the ballot, Enderle, a 41-year-old MSU graduate student, hopes to win more votes than Ngalamulume to contest Rogers in the November general election.
In his words: “Someone had to do something. I’m a person who believes in democracy and people. No one gets a free ride, especially Mike Rogers.”
Gregory Crockett
Experience: attorney at Crockett Law Offices, 19 years of experience as a lawyer
In his words: “I look forward to getting to work and trying to do the good work of the people. We have a great court system, really, in the United States.”
Jim Jamo
Experience: litigator who has been in private practice for more than 25 years
In his words: “I’m interested in public service position at this point in my career. My experience is I believe unique in the types of cases and the volume of cases that I have handled in the circuit court.”
Billie Jo O’Berry
Experience: assistant city attorney for the city of Lansing throughout the past 23 years
In her words: “I like to see judges on the bench that have a very broad, strong base of practice experience behind them. I feel that my experience makes me uniquely qualified.”
*Clinton Canady *
Experience: founder of Canady Law Offices, 37 years of experience as an attorney
In his words: “Case resolution is always a top priority for judges. You don’t want cases languishing for unnecessary periods of time, so certainly courtroom efficiency would be top priority (if I were elected).”
Public Transportation System for Elderly and Disabled Millage Question
A renewal of a millage approved in 2004 and 2006, the proposal will fund three programs to help the elderly and disabled get around, said John Neilsen, deputy controller with Ingham County. The first portion, which costs about $3 million, is a contract with the Capital Area Transportation Authority, or CATA, to provide specially arranged transportation for the elderly and disabled in the urban areas.
Another contract with CATA to provide service to any residents who live in the rural areas outside of CATA’s urban routes and a service unaffiliated with CATA to transport area veterans to nearby Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals are included in the millage and require smaller portions of the money, about $325,000 and $100,000, respectively, Neilsen said.
Capital Area Transportation Authority (CATA) Millage Proposition
A renewal from prior voter approvals, the money CATA receives through this millage represents 42 percent of its budget. It will not affect buses that run only on campus, but will affect any routes that venture outside of MSU’s campus. This millage will cost taxpayers 3.007 mills per year, meaning approval of CATA’s millage will cost about $300 per year on a house valued at $100,000.
County Commissioner and Delegate to County Convention
MSU’s campus and surrounding neighborhoods encompass several County Commissioner and Delegate districts. For more information on your district, visit michigan.gov/vote.
