Although he’s never been old enough to vote in a presidential election, Nick Kowalski did not back down from running for public office when the Ingham County Republicans told him they were looking for a candidate. The political theory and constitutional democracy sophomore is campaigning out of his dorm room to become Ingham County Commissioner representing the 10th district. If elected, he would represent the bulk of MSU’s campus, excluding West Circle.
His job title would mean being part of the Board of Commissioners, which serves as the acting legislative body for Ingham County. The board plans the county budget and decides which county services will be available.
Kowalski is running to give the students the chance to elect “one of their own,” he said.
First asked to run by the Ingham County Republicans, Kowalski said he hopes to bring some balance to the Ingham County Board of Commissioners.
“Right now, the divide amongst the board is 13 elected Democrats and only three elected Republicans, so we’re hoping after this election cycle, we’ll bring this number a little closer to even … and get sensible legislation passed.”
After spending several weeks this summer interning at the Republican National Committee in Washington, D.C., Kowalski is back in East Lansing and readying his campaign.
Fresh face
A conservative Republican, 19-year-old Kowalski is a dramatic contrast to the current 10th district County Commissioner, Mark Grebner.
Grebner, a 57-year-old MSU alumnus, is a liberal Democrat who has served in the seat since 1977, only taking a few years off to go to law school.
“(Grebner has) been in office for 30 years, three decades,” Kowalski said. “I’ve been alive, alive, for less than two decades. It has been awhile (since Grebner was elected). Times have changed. It just doesn’t seem right to have this individual representing the campus population.”
With support from students, Kowalski said he thinks he can run a close race and win against Grebner in the Nov. 2 elections. Kowalski said he’s been handing out fliers, working voter registration drives and building his Facebook campaign page.
“(Grebner) has had easy elections,” Kowalski said. “He’s been re-elected 14 times without much hassle. For those (students) that claim residency here, how they feel on issues should be directly represented by one of their own.”
Kowalski might be a student, but his conservative views do not match with most of the MSU population, Grebner said.
“This district is about 90 percent MSU campus, and I just don’t know that the MSU campus is looking to the Tea Party for inspiration,” Grebner said. “It has been hard to worry about him too much.”
Grebner also was young when he was first elected, only 23 years old, but he said his political experience prepared him for the job.
“I was a campaign manager for a campaign. I knocked on doors. I registered voters. I did a lot of stuff for about five years before I ran,” Grebner said. “He has never voted yet. It just seems a little peculiar.”
Building experience
If elected, Kowalski said his top priority will be fiscal responsibility in the county.
“I wouldn’t favor a tax increase at all,” Kowalski said. “That’s No. 1. When our reserve funds allow, I would like to seek a rollback in the tax structure. I want to give money back to the people in the county and allow them to save more of their profits.”
In addition to campaigning, Kowalski writes a blog called “The Other Side,” in which he discusses his political views, although he said he does not focus on Ingham County. Kowalski began the blog in November 2009.
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“I don’t talk about the campaign,” Kowalski said. “It’s just more or less my opinion on compelling political events.”
Several other MSU students have run for political office in the past, said Ross Emmett, a James Madison College professor and Kowalski’s adviser. Although they often do not succeed in getting elected, campaigning is a good experience, Emmett said.
“It’s a chance to be involved in political life (and) a chance to be involved in campaigning; all these things in terms of looking toward what you’re going to do after graduation or seeking political offices,” Emmett said. “It is a good thing to do.”
Although he wants to remain involved in the political arena, Kowalski said he is unsure if he wants to build his career as a public official.
For now, he is focusing on this race and campaigning with the slogan “Pick Nick and Rick (Snyder) in 2010.” He said he hopes many students come to the polls and truly examine their ballots before voting.
“Don’t assume that all students are Democrats, because I’m not, so if you want to vote for me, don’t vote straight ticket (Democratic),” Kowalski said. “(But) if you’re going to go to the polls and check the box for Rick Snyder (for governor), you may as well check it for me.”
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