Thursday, January 1, 2026

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NEWS

Whitmer: Funding, budget top priorities

For state Rep. Gretchen Whitmer, there wasn't a particular instance that got her interested in politics. Instead, the 33-year-old mother of two said growing up in East Lansing in a family with a history of public service helped her recognize the importance of serving others. Her father worked in former Republican Gov.

NEWS

Joel I. Ferguson

Age: 65 Party affiliation: Democrat Hometown: Lansing Occupation: Real-estate developer Education: Bachelor's degree from MSU Experience: MSU Board of Trustees, 1986-present Family: Separated; five children Web site: None • Supports keeping tuition affordable for students. • Supports more board involvement in university decisions such as tailgating

NEWS

Kerry looks to unseat incumbent

Abortion What Sen. John Kerry says: Pro-choice, but feels abortions should be "safe, legal and rare." What he's done: Voted against partial-birth abortion ban in 2003.

NEWS

John Kerry

Age: 60 Party affiliation: Democrat Hometown: Boston Occupation: Senator from Massachusetts Education: Bachelor's from Yale University, law degree from Boston College Experience: Navy lieutenant, prosecutor, lieutenant governor Family: Spouse Teresa Heinz; daughters Alexandra and Vanessa; stepsons Andre, John and Christopher Web site: johnkerry.com

COMMENTARY

Bombs away

Although President Bush's administration has repeatedly said the main goal of the war in Iraq is to disarm the war-torn nation, it was revealed Monday that there are 380 tons of devastating explosives missing in Iraq with whereabouts unknown. The news is startling, as the lack of information on the location of the weapons means we don't know if they have fallen into the wrong hands and used in past attacks already.

NEWS

Phil Thompson

Age: 57 Party affiliation: Democrat Hometown: Owosso Township Occupation: Executive vice president, Michigan Public Employees, SEIU Local 517M Education: Bachelor's degree from MSU Experience: Three-term Shiawassee County Commissioner; finance chair, County Board of Commissioners; member of the MSU Labor and Industrial Relations Advisory Panel Family: Married Web site: philthompsongogreen.com • Make sure college costs remain affordable • Establish a strong outreach program with MSU's students, faculty, and employees

NEWS

Bill Hall

Age: 48 Party affiliation: Libertarian Hometown: Rockford Occupation: Commercial real estate attorney; partner with Warner, Norcross & Judd L.L.P. Education: Bachelor's degree from Wabash College; law degree from Northwestern University School of Law Experience: Real-estate lawyer/partner, more than 10-year chairman of firm's real-estate services group; 23 years of law practice; worked with nonprofit organization boards like Heartland Institute, Michigan Legal Foundation Family: Married; two sons Web site: None •: Focus on campus security •: Keeping tuition at a reasonable rate

NEWS

Stuart Dunnings III

Age: 51 Party Affiliation: Democrat Hometown: Lansing Occupation: Ingham County Prosecutor Education: University of Michigan Law School Experience: Private practice for 16 years Family: Married; three daughters Web site: None

NEWS

Mike Rogers

Age: 41 Party affiliation: Republican Hometown: Brighton Occupation: U.S.

NEWS

Leonard Schwartz

Age: 59 Party affiliation: Libertarian Hometown: Detroit Occupation: Retired professor of law and economics Education: Bachelor's degree from University of Chicago, Master's degree from Johns Hopkins University, law degree from Wayne State University Law School Experience: Taught at Oakland University, University of Michigan-Dearborn Family: Single Web site: schwartz45.com

NEWS

Deborah Thomas

Age: 51 Party affiliation: Democrat Hometown: Detroit Occupation: Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Education: Bachelor's degree from Western Michigan University and law degree from Valparaiso University Experience: Ten years as Wayne County Circuit Court Judge, 16 years as an attorney Family: Two children Web site: None

NEWS

Marilyn Kelly

Age: 66 Party affiliation: Democrat Hometown: Detroit Occupation: Supreme Court Justice (incumbent) Education: Bachelor's degree from Eastern Michigan University, law degree from Wayne State University Law School Experience: Former President of the Michigan State Board of Education; principal and owner of Marilyn Kelly & Associates in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan Court of Appeals, Michigan Supreme Court Family: Married Web site: kellyforjustice.com

NEWS

Randall L. Pittman

Age: 50 Party affiliation: Republican Hometown: Ann Arbor Occupation: Chairman and chief executive officer, Ypsilanti-based Forest Health Services Corp., 1991-present Education: Bachelor's degree from MSU; master's degree from MSU Experience: Michigan State University Board of Trustees, 2002-present Family: Married; one daughter Web site: None • Will try to find a way to help the university connect to large number of students so there is more retention • Believes MSU must stay affordable to everyone in the state

NEWS

John Edwards

Age: 51 Party affiliation: Democrat Hometown: Born Seneca, S.C., grew up in Robbins, N.C. Occupation: North Carolina senator Education: Bachelor's from North Carolina State University, Law degree from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Experience: Senator from North Carolina (1998), former trial lawyer Family: Spouse Elizabeth; daughters Emma Claire and Cate; sons Jack and Wade.