Democrat Sam Singh
Consultant with the New Economy Initiative
Served as East Lansing mayor (2005-07) and councilmember (1995-2005)
MSU alumnus
Notable quote: “I’ve been very disappointed with the lack of long-term planning by the state Legislature (and) the lack of investment in key areas, such as education and environmental protection, and that frustration led me to run for state rep., so I could begin to change the conversation that’s happening at the state Capitol.”

Democrat Susan Schmidt
Adjunct faculty member at Lansing Community College, 2008-present
Former chief of staff to state Rep. Mark Meadows, D-East Lansing, 2006-2011
Notable quote: “With my expertise in education, I’ve learned mobilizing people is the only way to get them involved. You can’t be a person who just votes on it; you have to mobilize people. I’m going to have to answer to the people I’m representing, first and foremost.”

Republican Susan McGillicuddy
Serves as Meridian Charter Township supervisor, 2000-present
MSU alumna
Notable quote: “I really believe in reducing the budget and being fiscally sound. I really want to see us have better communication at the state level, which is sorely needed. I want us to be fiscally responsible for the future and make sure that we can afford all the departments that we have.”

George Nastas
Retired analyst for the U.S. Department of Defense
MSU alumnus
Notable quote: “I think a lot of families are in distress, and we need to improve that environment. I think we need tax reform (and) regulatory reform, and we need to downsize government on the business tax. I think I’m probably the most fiscally conservative of the three (Republicans).”

Republican Frank Lambert
General Motors Co. lineworker,
Ran unsuccessfully for state House of Representatives in 2008 and 2010
Notable quote: “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.”

U.S. Senate

Democrat Debbie Stabenow
Current U.S. senator for the state of Michigan
MSU alumna
Notable quote: “Congress needs to create the right environment to help companies continue to make things in America, because when we make things and grow things here, we create jobs here.”

Republican Pete Hoekstra
Served as U.S. representative for Michigan’s 2nd district, 1993-2010
Notable quote: “I think Washington’s become disconnected because Washington doesn’t understand that when they say no to the (proposed) Keystone Pipeline, that means people in our state (suffer). It means there’s going to be people that get up in the morning who don’t go to work. They’re involved in these mega-debates that are not getting anything done, and the end result is people all across the country are hurting.”

Republican Clark Durant
Co-founded and served as chairman and CEO of Cornerstone Schools in Detroit
Notable quote: “I made the decision to run (because) our country is at risk because, frankly, Republicans and Democrats have been irresponsible in the debt and spending decisions that have been made.”

Republican Randy Hekman
Former Kent County prosecutor and juvenile court judge
Notable quote, told to WKAR: “The federal government is beyond broke. That is the big issue before our country today. The house that’s on fire is the federal government spending far more than they take in.”

The 8th district seat for the U.S. House of Representatives

Republican Mike Rogers
Serves as U.S. representative, 2001-present
Notable quote: “President Obama’s massive health care tax was never a good idea. The American people do not want these government taxes and mandates that increase costs, hurt jobs and limit choices.”

Republican Vernon Molnar
Runs a road-maintenance contracting firm in Holly, Mich.
Notable quote, told to the Livingston Daily: “I want to go for the people in my district, and I would like to have the opportunity to step up to the plate and make an effort and show what my capabilities are. We need a voice.”

Republican Brian Hetrick
Customer Care and Aftersales associate for General Motors Co. in Milford, Mich.
Notable quote: “I believe a new generation of politicians is needed, and the career politicians in Congress need to go. I believe the best ideas are the ones that come from a fresh perspective without the baggage and constraints from promises of the past.”

Democrat Lance Enderle
Former alternative education director at Leslie Public Schools
Notable quote: “The problems facing Michigan and America are serious and still remain; I pledge to lead by example and to stand up against everything that is wrong with our political process. I am not afraid to make the hard decisions that are needed, and will never forget who I represent.”

Judicial candidates

After Judge David Jordon announced his retirement in April, four hopefuls put their name into the race to become a judge in East Lansing’s 54B District Court, 101 Linden St. Jordon, who served on the bench for 22 years, handled cases such as the two men facing charges in the case of the armed robbery of an East Lansing gas station.

Andrea Larkin
If elected, she would be the first woman judge in East Lansing’s district court
Endorsed by both Jordon and former 30th Judicial Circuit Court judge James R. Giddings

Mark Meadows
Currently a state representative, D-East Lansing
Former mayor of East Lansing

Thomas Clement
Former assistant prosecuting attorney for the Eaton County Prosecutor’s Office
An adjunct faculty member at Thomas M. Cooley Law School

Frank McAlpine
Owns private law practice in East Lansing
Practiced law for about 35 years

Five candidates currently are in the race for Judge Paula Manderfield’s spot in Lansing’s 30th Judicial Circuit Court. Manderfield served 20 years on the bench and handled the case of former MSU medical student Andrew Thompson, who was sentenced in June for killing dogs.

Charles Ford
Served on Lansing City Council 1990-1994
Lansing school board member – 2008-present

Jim Jamo
Practicing for more than 25 years
Clients have included the City of Lansing Police Department, the Lansing Board of Water and Light and Williamston Community Schools

Ayanna Jones
Serves on the State Bar of Michigan Justice Initiatives Equal Access Committee
Assistant prosecuting attorney to the 30th Judicial Circuit Court, represents the people of the state of Michigan in the prosecution of felonies

Ken Ross
Served as Michigan’s assistant attorney general in the Tort Defense Division
Chief of staff for former state representative Agnes Dobronski

Wanda M. Stokes
First African American chief of staff for the office of the attorney general
Endorsed by Magic Johnson

Proposals
Juvenile millage renewal question
This renewal from 2002 and 2006 is up for a vote this year to continue Ingham County’s ability to detain and house juvenile delinquents and continue rehabilitation treatment for them until 2016. If approved, the proposal will raise about $3.9 million in millages for juvenile housing and programs.

Emergency telephone service millage renewal question
This proposal would renew funding for a countywide 911 emergency dispatch system, and it has been renewed every four years since 1996. If approved, it would last until 2016 and raise about $5.5 million.

Public transportation system for elderly and disabled millage question
This proposal would continue funding for a public transportation system used by elderly and disabled people in Ingham County until 2015. If approved, the millage will raise an additional $784,000 for the system.