Rogers, who announced his retirement from politics in March, has served in Congress since 2001. The two Republicans and four Democrats who are vying for a spot on the November ballot met Tuesday in Brighton for an open forum.
Republicans
According to his website, Bishop is a proponent of cutting government spending and lowering taxes. Rogers has endorsed Bishop, saying he would make the 8th district proud.”
“If I had the opportunity to champion a piece of legislation it would be to do whatever I could to generate, to kickstart, this economy, to get government out of the way, to reduce regulation and to find a way to get us back up and working again,” he said at the forum.
Bishop is a MSU alumnus and former Republican majority leader of the Michigan Senate. He served in the state House from 1999 to 2002 and in the state Senate from 2003 to 2010.
McMillin said driving down the national debt and deficit, along with repealing the Affordable Care Act, are important to his campaign.
“We have a very serious debt and deficit problem. We continue, unconscionably, to pile that debt and deficit on our kids and grandkids,” he said.
McMillin said he supports government transparency and greater attention to NSA surveillance programs.
McMillin has served in the Michigan House since 2008.
Democrats
Darga’s platform is devoted to restoring manufacturing jobs in the United States. According to his website, the loss of manufacturing jobs has put the country’s economy and security in jeopardy.
One of the key issues of his platform is giving funding higher education, according to Darga’s website.
Darga served as Michigan’s State Demographer for 22 years before retiring to run for Congress.
Grettenberger, a MSU alumna and Central Michigan University professor, said her platform is one of economy, education, environment and equality.
Grettenberger said one of her first actions in Congress would be passing legislation that allows students to borrow at the same rates banks borrow at, because students are “getting crushed right now” by student loans.
Hank, a MSU alumnus and attorney, said he’s running because the current state of affairs necessitates an “American Renaissance,” which includes attaining 100 percent renewable energy, among other policies.
According to his website, Hank said in Congress he would work to offer student loans at decreased rates and create programs for students to work off their debt through public service.
“The current situation of rising college tuition and the method of providing more debt in order to get an education, particularly in an economy where wages are stagnant or decreasing and job opportunities are lacking, is not acceptable,” Hank said in a statement on his website.
Schertzing, a MSU alumnus, has served as the Ingham County Treasurer since 2001.
Schertzing said many of the key issues he supports are bipartisan issues that are stunted by partisanship.
“Priorities I would take to Washington include creating good-paying jobs, rebuilding our infrastructure, investing in education and job training,” Schertzing said.
