Get to Know Your Michigan Candidates

KEY ISSUES + CAMPAIGN PRIORITIES

• Affordability - Benson cites her Affordability Agenda to tackle the costs hitting families hardest, including Housing, Healthcare, and Childcare. 

• Housing - Benson says she will focus on “streamlining regulations that slow down construction, incentivizing development of starter homes and affordable units, and cracking down on corporate investors who buy up properties and drive up rents.”

• Healthcare - She cites a focus on “lowering healthcare costs by increasing transparency in medical billing, passing a $5,000 caregiver tax credit, and ensuring that pharmaceutical companies can't price gouge Michigan families.”

• Childcare - Benson’s campaign website states that she will “make childcare more accessible and affordable by bringing Rx Kids statewide and removing barriers that prevent qualified providers from opening their doors.”

• Energy Costs - Benson’s Affordability Agenda focuses on transparency and reform of the rate-setting process, restricting political contributions from public utilities, and modernizing Michigan’s energy grid to drive down costs. 

• Education - Benson has a 5-pillar education plan posted on her campaign website focusing on providing a world-class education for every child, increasing pay and retaining educators, supporting child and family needs from birth to pre-K, providing the resources and funding for schools based on student needs, and building systems that work together. 

• Data Centers - In her own words: “data centers [can] come to Michigan only if they can improve and deliver prosperity, well-paying union jobs, and affordable, low energy costs for our residents.” Benson plans to enforce the following mandates: 

  • Public hearings to ensure projects do not go through without residents having the opportunity to share their concerns.  

  • Transparency and disclosure reporting to ensure no backdoor deals that exclude communities.  

  • Requiring developers to prove prior to construction that the data center will not abuse natural resources – from water to land.

  • Data Centers bear the cost of additional energy usage. Not the consumer. 

  • Union contracts that ensure the creation of well-paying jobs.

BACKGROUND

As Michigan’s Secretary of State, Benson has implemented accessibility to government services through technology upgrades, scheduling, and operational improvements. She oversaw Michigan’s election security efforts, including hundreds of audits, and expanded voter access.

Benson was previously appointed Dean of Wayne State University Law School, making her the youngest woman to lead a top-100 law school in US history. She is the co-founder of Military Spouses of Michigan and has served as a board member of the Southern Poverty Law Center in Alabama. She is also the founder and executive director of the Michigan Center for Election Law and the author of State Secretaries of State: Guardians of the Democratic Process. She received a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Wellesley College, has a Master’s Degree in Sociology from the University of Oxford, and graduated from Harvard Law School with a Juris Doctorate Degree. 

Campaign Website JocelynBenson.com 

KEY ISSUES + CAMPAIGN PRIORITIES

• Corruption - James would like to focus on reforming government transparency by rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse, and claims he will lead by example. 

• COVID Accountability + Relief - James’ CLEAR Initiative is his plan to restore trust and integrity following Michigan’s enforcement of COVID-19 mandates. 

• Parenting - Citing his religious beliefs, James aims to establish a Parents’ Bill of Rights to protect the parent-child relationship. 

• Education - James wants to make Michigan #1 in education in America by 2037 through scholarship access, ‘back to basics’ literacy practices, teacher rewards, defending Title IX, and focusing on supporting boys by recruiting more male teachers and mentors. 

• Income Tax - James would like to eliminate income tax in Michigan, with plans to retain and relocate worker tax credits and provide a 100% tax credit for businesses investing in student scholarships. 

• Health - stating he aims to Make Michigan Healthy Again, James says he will prioritize a family-first, freedom-first, prevention-first agenda to protect America’s health security. 

BACKGROUND

John James currently serves in the U.S. House of Representatives for Michigan’s 10th Congressional District, a position he has held since being elected in 2022. Previously, James served 8 years in the U.S. Army as a Ranger-qualified aviation officer. He then came back to Michigan to lead his family’s business after earning a Master’s in Supply Chain Management from Penn State University and an MBA from the University of Michigan. James is married with three children and has been a proud ally of President Trump. 

Campaign Website JohnHamesMI.com 

KEY ISSUES + CAMPAIGN PRIORITIES

• Keep Michigan Safe: Savit is experienced in leading prosecution and prevention of serious crime, including sex crimes, domestic violence, and child abuse; he has built several new community-based programs geared towards preventing gun violence and intimate-partner violence.

• Fight for Our Rights: Savit plans to work tirelessly to ensure that every Michigander’s rights are protected—regardless of race, sex, religion, sexual orientation, or gender identity.

• Defend Workers: Savit says he will prioritize ensuring that workers are paid what they are owed, have access to the benefits they’ve earned, enjoy safe working conditions, and have protection for the right to organize and to raise claims of unfair labor practices. 

• Protect Consumers: Savit aims to prioritize consumer protection and will litigate to stop price gouging, deceptive practices, and other consumer abuse.

• Safeguard Our Constitution: Savit will use every tool at his disposal to ensure that no Michigander is denied their constitutionally protected rights, including the rights to free speech, due process, and freedom from federal overreach. 

• Protect Our Environment: Savit would be the first Attorney General in Michigan history to have previously practiced as an environmental lawyer on behalf of states and will work to protect our air, water, and Great Lakes. 

• Promote Justice For All: Savit will support evidence-based, community-based programs across the State to enable rehabilitation.

• Work with Local Communities: Savit is a nationally recognized expert on how state attorneys general can use their authority to address local concerns and has a track record of partnering with local governments and community leaders to do so.

BACKGROUND

Born and raised in Ann Arbor, Eli Savit attended Kalamazoo College and worked as a public school teacher before attending the University of Michigan Law School. Following graduation from law school, Savit worked for two federal judges and was selected to clerk on the United States Supreme Court for Justices Sandra Day O’Connor (ret.) and Ruth Bader Ginsburg. 

As Senior Legal Counsel for the City of Detroit, Savit oversaw the city’s lawsuits against the opioid industry, led the city’s efforts in the landmark right-to-literacy lawsuit, served as the top lawyer in international negotiations that facilitated the construction of the Gordie Howe International Bridge, led the City’s successful lawsuits against tax-delinquent banks, slumlords, and land-speculators, and negotiated a deal that allowed thousands of low-income Detroit families to avoid tax foreclosure and remain in their homes. 

Savit was elected Prosecuting Attorney for Washtenaw County in 2020. Under his leadership, the Prosecutor’s Office established dedicated special-victims and domestic violence units, launched multiple successful programs that allow people dealing with behavioral health and substance-use issues to obtain rehabilitative services, established Washtenaw County’s first-ever conviction integrity and expungement unit, and fought against unlawful corporate exploitation by establishing an Economic Justice Unit, among other successes. 

Campaign Website EliForMichigan.com 

KEY ISSUES + CAMPAIGN PRIORITIES

• Fair Prosecution: Lloyd says he will prosecute criminals fairly, without political favor or bias.

• Advise Michigan Lawmakers: Lloyd plans to advise lawmakers in crafting strong, commonsense laws for Michigan.

• Constitutional Rights: Lloyd says he will prioritize protecting your God-given constitutional rights without compromise and will stand firmly against political lawfare and weaponized prosecutions.

• Defend Michigan’s Sovereignty: Lloyd aims to root out corruption, stop political overreach, and defend Michigan’s sovereignty.

BACKGROUND

Lloyd earned his Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and his Juris Doctorate from Thomas M. Cooley Law School. As Eaton County Prosecutor, Douglas R. Lloyd currently serves as the chief law enforcement officer for Eaton County. Lloyd is responsible for the administration of the Eaton County Prosecutor’s Office’s domestic violence, drug, and economic crimes units. 

Prior to being named Prosecutor in June 2013, Lloyd served as Assistant Prosecutor, Senior Assistant Prosecutor for the Economic Crimes Unit, and Chief Assistant Prosecutor. In 2013, Lloyd was appointed by Governor Snyder to the Organized Retail Fraud Advisory Board. He also served on the Insurance Fraud Task Force launched in September 2013 by Secretary of State Ruth Johnson. Lloyd has also been confirmed by the Michigan Legislature to serve on the State Drug Treatment Court Advisory Committee. Lloyd is a Past President for the Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan and has served on numerous boards and committees throughout his career. 

Campaign Website VoteDougLloyd.com 

KEY ISSUES + CAMPAIGN PRIORITIES

• Garlin Gilchrist states that he is committed to “standing tall for our democracy”, defending the sacred right to vote, and making government services better, faster, and more convenient. In particular, he aims to: 

• Fight for more legislative action that shines a light on dark money in our politics.

• Modernize licensing and registration by providing smarter, 21st-century services.

• Stand up against big tech companies and the Trump administration who want to abuse your personal voter registration information and license-plate data.

• Hold companies accountable that rip off consumers needing car repair services.

BACKGROUND

Born in Detroit, Garlin Gilchrist graduated from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor of Science in Engineering with majors in computer engineering and computer science. In 2011, Gilchrist became a community organizer with the Center for Community Change and then as a national campaign director with MoveOn.org. During his time as the City of Detroit’s Director of Innovation, he created the Improve Detroit smartphone app to amplify residents’ voices on local issues and ensure the city addresses problems such as running water, potholes, damaged street signs, and other issues.

Since 2019, Gilchrist has served as Lieutenant Governor for the State of Michigan, where he played a leading role in delivering free pre-k for all, increasing small business success and diversifying the state economy, protecting abortion access, bringing more high-quality jobs to Michigan, reforming our justice system to create opportunity and keep communities safe, and connecting tens of thousands of Michiganders to reliable, affordable, and fast internet. He has served on statewide task forces on jails, pretrial incarceration, and juvenile justice, and has chaired Michigan’s COVID-19 Racial Disparities Task Force.

Gilchrist originally campaigned for the Michigan Governor seat in this election, then backed out of the race to instead run for Secretary of State. In a sit-down with WZZM 13 On Your Side, Gilchrist stated, "We have to have a Secretary of State to make sure to protect your right to vote,” and “At a time when technology poses so many challenges and opportunities and anxieties for people, I think it's important that we have leaders who actually understand how to use that stuff to work with people and to protect people from its harms."

Campaign Website GarlinGilchrist.com 

KEY ISSUES + CAMPAIGN PRIORITIES

• Anthony Forlini’s priorities are described as protecting election integrity, strengthening transparency, enforcing the rule of law, and running a high-performing office that respects the public. According to his campaign, he wants to: 

• Strengthen safeguards, standardize best practices, and make it easier for the public to trust the process.

• Run a high-performing office that respects the public.

• Push for tools to increase transparency.

• Commit to the rule of law, due process, and clear accountability.

BACKGROUND

Born in Detroit, Anthony Forlini graduated from Western Michigan University with a Bachelor’s in Business Administration. From 2004-2011, Forlini served as a township supervisor in Harrison Township and in 2011 became a member of the Michigan House of Representatives, serving District 24. In 2016, he ran but lost a bid to become a US Representative from Michigan’s 10th District, currently represented by John James, who is the Republican gubernatorial candidate in this election cycle. In 2017, he became an Operations Manager for Macomb County Public Works, and then, in 2021, began serving in his current role as Macomb County clerk. 

Forlini made headlines earlier this year after saying he'd had his office cross-check the state's voter file (I.e., the Qualified Voter File, or QVF) with the local jury pool, and alleged that his office found multiple people who had been registered to vote at some point but weren't citizens. The approach used is controversial, and the Michigan Bureau of Elections (BOE) investigated Forlini's claims. According to a January release from the Michigan Department of State, the BOE found the following: 

• Three are U.S. citizens and eligible voters.

• Four are apparent noncitizens. BOE will send them a letter asking them to confirm their eligibility to vote. If they do not respond, BOE will cancel their registration.   

• Four were previously removed from the voter rolls.

• Four are under review by BOE for additional documentation to verify their citizenship status.

Forlini has also teamed up with Americans for Citizens Voting, a group seeking to place a question on the November ballot asking whether Michiganders should be required to prove their citizenship to register to vote, akin to the SAVE Act, which has stalled at the federal level.

Campaign Website ForliniForUs.com 

KEY ISSUES + CAMPAIGN PRIORITIES

Money Out of Politics: 

Abdul El-Sayed’s first campaign priority highlights the following legislative priorities; 

• Banning Corporate Money in Politics - Supporting legislation to overturn Citizens United and banning outside spending on elections, including caps on campaign spending. 

• Ending Gerrymandering - Building a federal nonpartisan committee of experts with defined terms to work alongside the U.S. Census Bureau to draw congressional districts. 

• Supreme Court Reform - Implementing term limits and allowing the same number of appointments for each presidential term. 

• Abolishing the Filibuster - Ending the filibuster so that Senators cannot shield one another from having to take hard votes. 

• Making Voting Easier - Opposing mandatory Voter ID laws that impose unnecessary barriers to citizens voting, and supporting automatic voter registration at 18 or upon moving, making election days holidays, and expanding absentee and early voting access for voters. 

• Civil Rights + Liberties - Protecting the rights of all Americans, including our freedom of speech, assembly, religion, and self-expression, and protecting the right to make individual healthcare decisions without government interference or access to your private data, including protections for healthcare providers.  

• Immigration - Abolishing ICE and implementing a new organizational structure that creates a clear pathway to citizenship under a fair system. 

• Environment + Natural Resources - Holding polluters accountable for contaminating Michigan’s land, air and water by codifying the Endangerment Finding into law and strengthening standards and NEPA. Protecting our Great Lakes by shutting down Line 5 and fighting for a pathway to 100% renewable energy with investments into energy infrastructure built by unions to improve efficiency and save Michiganders money. 

• Water - Fighting for a federal water guarantee to ensure every family has access to enough clean water with bills capped at 2% of household income and protections against shutoffs for families struggling to afford their bills. Accelerating infrastructure funding to remove lead pipes, funding investments into modern drainage and purification systems, and holding polluters accountable for contamination. 

• Sensible Foreign Policy - Opposing the war in Iran and demanding an immediate end to the hostilities, supporting diplomatic approaches to conflict or competition, including Iran and China, and leading the world in protecting democracy, such as in Taiwan. Opposing direct blank-check funding to foreign militaries and instead spending our tax dollars to support Americans. Supporting enforcement of conditional military aid and sales provisions, as well as an immediate arms embargo on Israel. Supporting the re-investment in foreign humanitarian aid and engagement in the World Health Organization, the Conference of the Parties, and the Paris Agreement. 

Money In Your Pocket: 

El-Sayed believes in an economy built by and for working people - and that it shouldn’t be this hard to get by. He promises to fight against corporate tax breaks and support the right of workers to join a union and earn a fair wage that can support a family, along with access to guaranteed healthcare and abolishing medical debt. His campaign highlights the following priorities; 

• Jobs + Trade - Bringing well-paying jobs to Michigan through investment in new technologies and with the voice of unions in decisions about the future of our economy, holding corporations accountable by supporting the FTC and legislation to protect workers, investing in critical research agencies that allow taxpayers to earn back their returns on investments, and supporting targeted tariffs to protect Michigan manufacturers. 

• Taxing Billionaire Wealth - Supporting tax on capital gains and inheritance over $1 million at the same rate as ordinary income, raising the marginal tax rate on earnings over $1 million and over $1 billion, a cost of living exemption on federal taxes up to $50,000, and closing the Social Security payroll tax cap to ensure the wealthy pair their fair share and the program is sustained into the future. 

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) - Supporting legislation to create guardrails around when, how, and for what purposes AI is deployed, exploring income protection programs, developing clear regulations to protect security risks, and legislation to clarify the governance and legitimate use-cases of blockchain for financial services and protect consumers from fraud and corruption enabled with this technology. 

• Data Centers - Passing a policy proposal for “Terms of Engagement” for data centers and enabling comprehensive zoning guidelines to protect communities from unintended consequences.  

• Housing + Homelessness - Investing in building new housing, streamlining local regulations, banning large corporations from owning homes, banning algorithmic rental price-fixing software, requiring Big Tech to pay housing dislocation fees for the stock owned in local communities, and protecting Americans from unfair evictions. 

• Education - Protecting the right to literacy through universal childcare, pre-K, and public K-12 education and proposing tying any percentage increase in our national education funding to any equivalent increase in the national defense budget, allowing for further investment into our public education system such as raising the minimum teacher salary to at least $60,000/year and investing in paraprofessionals while opposing efforts to privatize public education. Supporting funding for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and America’s HBCU’s, community colleges, and trade schools while working alongside unions to expand vocational and apprenticeship training opportunities and providing students with debt-free and tuition-free pathways. 

• Farming - Fighting to redirect federal farm subsidies away from corporate agribusiness and toward family farmers through capping individual subsidy payments and reinvesting those dollars into specialty crops, diversified agriculture, and regenerative farming, pushing for trade protections for specialty crops, reforming the H-2A program via the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, and championing a federal right-to-repair law. 

• Medicare for All - El-Sayed has written a book on Medicare for All and aims to guarantee healthcare for every American by expanding Medicare to cover all necessary healthcare costs. He opposes the privatization of Medicare or the attempt to cut Medicaid or destroy the ACA market by cutting subsidies and will push to repeal these subsidy cuts from the “One Big Beautiful Bill” Act. Additional plans include;

• Veterans Affairs - Expanding and improving the VA to provide veterans with inclusive services. 

• Break up Big Healthcare - Empowering the FTC to retrospectively review mergers and acquisitions in the industry to break up monopolies by supporting the Break Up Big Medicine Act. 

• Prescription Drugs - Expanding the drug price negotiation policy passed under the Inflation Reduction Act to empower Medicare in price negotiations and supporting public manufacturing of essential medications such as insulin. Ending pharmacy benefit manager price-gouging and excessive drug patents in Big Pharma. 

• Public Health - Fighting for appointments to critical public health roles as fixed-term appointments and/or made with the consent of the Senate to protect their integrity, and to reinvest and reform critical institutions for the 21st century, including increased support and funding for local and state health departments. 

• Healthcare Freedom for Women + LGBTQ+ Americans - Fighting to codify the rights of patients to make personal decisions alongside their doctor without government interference and opposing any legislative effort to stop healthcare providers from providing full-spectrum healthcare that meets the needs of diverse communities.

BACKGROUND

Born and raised in Southeast Michigan, Abdul El-Sayed graduated with his Bachelor’s in Science from the University of Michigan and went on to earn his M.D. from Columbia University and a second doctorate at Oxford University. Recognized nationwide as an expert on improving the American healthcare system, he has authored Medicare for All: A Citizen’s Guide, which explains how to build a healthcare system that guarantees high-quality, affordable healthcare for every American. In 2020, he was selected to serve on President Biden’s Unity Task Force for Healthcare, helping craft policies that are lowering prescription drug prices today.

El-Sayed served as Detroit Health Director, where he rebuilt Detroit’s Health Department after bankruptcy. He later served as Wayne County’s Health Director, where he restructured Wayne County’s Department of Health, Human & Veterans Services, serving 1.8 million Michiganders in the state’s largest and most diverse county. Highlights of his public service include securing free glasses for kids in need, removing lead from Detroit’s elementary schools, taking on Michigan’s biggest polluters, and making life-saving Narcan universally accessible. He also spearheaded a program that will cancel up to $700 million in medical debt for 300,000 Michiganders over 2 years.

El-Sayed has been a card-carrying union member of AFT Local 477 and 6244, SEIU Local 500, the National Writers Union, and the AAUP. His campaign has pledged against accepting corporate PAC money and highlights that he is the only candidate who has never taken a dime of corporate money - and never will. 

Campaign Website AbdulforSenate.com 

KEY ISSUES + CAMPAIGN PRIORITIES

• Unlock Homeownership - Rogers will push to expand 529 savings plans to first-time homebuyers' down payments, lower interest rates by allowing families to build credit with timely rent payments, bring down purchase prices by rolling back overregulation, and incentivize new home construction with residential housing zones where 100% of new construction is tax-free. 

• Healthcare - Rogers campaign states that he aims to increase transparency in healthcare pricing and insurance data reporting so hospitals and insurance companies can be held accountable, and aims to expand access to Trump Rx to bring down prescription drug prices. 

BACKGROUND

Born and raised in Livingston County, Mike Rogers graduated from Howell High School and earned a Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and sociology from Adrian College. Following college, Rogers served as a lieutenant in the United States Army and then as a Special Agent in the FBI in Chicago, where he took down organized crime and public corruption. 

Rogers was later elected to the State Senate, where he wrote legislation to help families save for their children’s education, fought to reduce burdensome small-business regulations, and supported law enforcement in pursuing child predators. In 2000, he was elected to Congress, where he worked to eliminate federal taxes on education savings plans and to pass legislation to help low-income families access healthcare. He served on the House Energy and Commerce Committee and was Chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, where he recognized the economic and national security danger posed by China and worked to protect the auto industry. 

Following his time in Congress, Rogers entered the private sector, where he championed innovation and cybersecurity. Rogers is endorsed by President Trump and has accepted millions in financial contributions from corporate donors throughout his career. 

Campaign Website RogersforSenate.com 

KEY ISSUES + CAMPAIGN PRIORITIES

• Coming Soon

BACKGROUND

Coming Soon

Campaign Website Coming Soon

KEY ISSUES + CAMPAIGN PRIORITIES

BACKGROUND

Moolenaar has a degree in chemistry from Hope College and a master's in public administration from Harvard.  He worked at Dow Chemical and later was director of the Small Business Center for the Middle Michigan Development Corporation.  He was a member of the Midland City Council 1997-2000, Michigan House of Representatives 2003-2008, Michigan Senate 2011-2015, and U.S. House of Representatives 2015-present.

Campaign Website JohnMoolenaarforCongress.com 

KEY ISSUES + CAMPAIGN PRIORITIES

• Healthcare: Scholten is focused on bringing down the cost of healthcare and prescription drugs and supports policies that ban insurance companies from raising rates or denying coverage. She says she will continue to fight for paid family and medical leave, will vote to cap the cost of critical prescription drugs and insulin, and defend the Affordable Care Act while working to expand it. 

• Reproductive Health: Scholten is a supporter of protecting women’s right to choose, stating that reproductive health care is fundamentally a matter of privacy and freedom from government control. 

• Jobs and the Economy: Scholten is focused on bringing down costs to put money back in Michiganders’ pockets by investing in renewable energy, manufacturing, small businesses, and infrastructure, while fighting for fair wages and workers’ right to collectively bargain. 

• Education: As a mom of two, Scholten is focused on strengthening the public school system by supporting educators, compensating educators fairly, improving affordability from pre-K to college, and expanding job training, skilled trades programs, and apprenticeships to prepare students to engage in a 21st-century economy.  

• Social Security + Medicare: Scholten opposes efforts to raise the retirement age and to cut or privatize Social Security, instead advocating for improving efficiency and allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices.  

• Energy and the Environment: Scholten prioritizes protecting the Great Lakes and our drinking water from pollution, such as PFAS, and investing in renewable energy innovation to create good-paying jobs while reducing our reliance on foreign oil and lowering energy costs. 

• Roads + Infrastructure: Scholten says she is working to improve the standards and weight limits for our Michigan roads, advocating for Michigan’s fair share of federal road funding, and ensuring the roads are fixed right, with the right materials. 

• Voting Rights + Democracy Protection: Scholten will focus on ending voter suppression and expanding vote-by-mail and early voting nationwide, ending partisan gerrymandering, and protecting against attempts to subvert or overturn election results.

• Common-Sense Gun Safety Reform: Scholten is committed to advancing common-sense gun safety reforms like universal background checks, safe gun storage laws, and red flag laws.

BACKGROUND

Hillary Scholten was born and raised in West Michigan and attended Unity Christian High School in Hudsonville. She earned a degree in social work and became a caseworker for the Aids Action Committee, where she helped members of the LGBTQ+ community facing housing discrimination. Scholten cites the insights gained from her experience in social work as inspiration to pursue systemic change, and she went on to earn her law degree from the University of Maryland Thurgood Marshall School of Law and later clerked for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in their special unit focused on immigration issues. She then joined the Department of Justice (DOJ), where she continued to work on immigration and civil rights matters with the goal of creating strong, fair, and moral immigration policies. 

In 2022, Scholten made history by flipping a 50-year Republican stronghold and becoming the first Democratic woman and mother to ever represent West Michigan in the United States House of Representatives. She is currently serving her second term in Congress, representing West Michigan and running for re-election. Scholten is married with two children and is a dedicated Christian.

Campaign Website HillaryScholten.com

KEY ISSUES + CAMPAIGN PRIORITIES

• Affordable Healthcare + Patient Choice: DeBoer aims to expand healthcare choice and competition to lower costs, support Direct Primary Care and Health Savings Accounts, increase price transparency, protect access to care for disabled individuals and those with specialized needs, and put patients and doctors—not insurance companies or bureaucrats—in charge of healthcare decisions.

• Strong Economy + Lower Costs: DeBoer plans to support tax cuts, reduce government spending, eliminate small-business regulations, promote policies that help workers earn higher wages, prepare the next generation through educational freedom, and encourage innovation, competition, and job creation.

• Reliable + Affordable Energy: DeBoer supports an all-of-the-above energy strategy to keep energy affordable and reliable, strengthening and modernizing America's power grid, balancing environmental stewardship with economic growth and energy independence, and expanding clean, dependable nuclear energy production while opposing costly energy mandates that increase utility bills for families.

• Secure Borders + Safe Communities: DeBoer says she is focused on securing the border and enforcing immigration laws to stop illegal immigration and to remove criminals who enter the country illegally. She would like to reform the asylum process to prioritize the safety and security of American citizens.

BACKGROUND

Terri DeBoer was born into a military family at Fort Dix Army Base in New Jersey and, after high school, began her career in broadcast journalism. She moved to Kalamazoo in 1990 and studied meteorology, which led her to transition from news to weather in 1992, where she helped launch West Michigan’s first weekend-morning newscast. In 1995, she joined WOOD-TV, where she spent the next 28 years before taking a break and then returning to meteorology with FOX-17 in 2024. DeBoer has received multiple recognitions in the broadcast industry and has served on multiple Boards in the West Michigan community. 

DeBoer published a book in 2021 titled Brighter Skies Ahead: Forecasting A Full Life When You Empty the Nest, about transitioning from a busy mother to one with an empty nest. She is married with three children and multiple grandchildren, and is a proud Christian. 

Campaign Website TerriDeBoer.com 

KEY ISSUES + CAMPAIGN PRIORITIES

• Protecting Healthcare + Medicaid - As a Michigan state senator, McCann has focused his campaign on extending Affordable Care Act tax credits and lowering prescription drug costs.

• Lowering costs

• Not increasing the national debt

• Small Businesses: Helping small businesses grow

• Taxation: No tax breaks for special interests

• Women’s Healthcare: Women should make their own health care decisions

• Immigration: ICE and immigration policies should be overhauled

BACKGROUND

McCann was born and raised in Michigan, attended Western Michigan University, became a Kalamazoo City Commissioner, State Representative, and now serves as a State Senator in SW for the 19th district. Has been on the Michigan State Appropriation, Energy, and Finance Committees.

Campaign Website SeanMcCannforCongress.com

KEY ISSUES + CAMPAIGN PRIORITIES

BACKGROUND

In 2011, Huizenga became a member of the Michigan House of Representatives, serving District 24. He believes Obamacare has failed people, supports anti-choice legislation including access to contraception, votes against clean energy alternatives, and has supported the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement efforts and introduced legislation to strip naturalized citizens of protections if convicted of terrorism charges. He has also touted his vote on the One Big Beautiful Bill as a measure to protect taxpayers. Supports the Crypto Clarity Act.

Campaign Website Huizenga.house.gov 

KEY ISSUES + CAMPAIGN PRIORITIES

• Healthcare: Anthony aggressively supports the passage of Michigan House Bill 4407 to establish MiCare—a publicly financed, universal healthcare system covering every single resident in our state with zero deductibles or co-pays. 

• Data Center Moratorium:  Anthony will aggressively support the active Michigan Data Center Moratorium legislative package (House Bills 5594–5596). This critical legislation places a temporary pause on the issuance of massive data center permits. 

• Lower Costs: One job should be enough to live on.

• Education: Unnecessary mandates and funding gaps hold students back.

• Private life/Healthcare: The government should have no business in your private life or doctor’s office.

• Infrastructure/Taxation: Our infrastructure crumbles while corporations receive tax breaks without accountability.

BACKGROUND

Pennock has a Bachelor's degree in education from Robert B. Miller College (2015), a graduate degree in curriculum and instruction from Concordia University (2016), and an EdD in organizational leadership from Grand Canyon University (2021). Pennock's career experience includes working as a special education teacher.

Campaign Website Pennock4MISenate.com

KEY ISSUES + CAMPAIGN PRIORITIES

BACKGROUND

Campaign Website

KEY ISSUES + CAMPAIGN PRIORITIES

BACKGROUND

Campaign Website

KEY ISSUES + CAMPAIGN PRIORITIES

BACKGROUND

Campaign Website

KEY ISSUES + CAMPAIGN PRIORITIES

• Worker-Centered Economy: Groff-Blaszak says she will work to raise the minimum wage while incentivizing and supporting small businesses, establishing paid family leave and universal childcare, transitioning to a progressive tax structure, increasing protection of workers forming and joining unions, and restoring the rights of municipalities to set their own labor standards so communities can establish additional worker protections. 

• Adequate, Affordable + Accessible Housing: Groff-Blaszak plans to change existing laws to remove subjective and arbitrary zoning standards and legalize housing that builds communities, and repeal Michigan's prohibition on rent stabilization so that policies can be enacted to limit rent increases. 

• Public Education: She believes that all children deserve an excellent education, and will work to fund schools adequately and appropriately, provide professional pay to educators - including teachers, paraprofessionals, administrators and support staff - and to provide safe and comfortable learning environments.

• Healthy + Thriving Communities: Groff-Blaszak says she will work to support universally accessible and affordable healthcare through establishing a single-payer system and ensure that bodily autonomy for every person is upheld and respected. She plans to build people-centered infrastructure and transportation systems, make progress in gun violence mitigation, end the cash bail system, ensure safe drinking water, and prioritize clean energy.

• Protecting People + Democracy: Groff-Blaszak says, “Our state government is the most important bulwark in protecting Michiganders from the loss of basic services and protections by the actions of an unpredictable federal administration.”

BACKGROUND

Abbie Groff-Blaszak was born in the Upper Peninsula, graduated from East Kentwood High School, then earned her Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science from Indiana University and a Master's in Administration, Planning and Social Policy from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. She currently serves as a Third Ward City Commissioner in East Grand Rapids and teaches brewing science at Grand Rapids Community College. Groff-Blaszak has over 20 years of experience in public sector service, including elected office, classroom teaching at elementary, secondary, and college levels, public school and district leadership, policy leadership at the Michigan Department of Education, nonprofit program management, community organizing, labor union membership, and mentoring, coaching, and community volunteering. 

As a City Commissioner in East Grand Rapids, she has helped residents organize a group to advocate for safer streets and sidewalks, resulting in the addition of bike lanes throughout the city and changes to city policies to further improve the safety of vulnerable road users. 

Campaign Website AbbieGroffblaszak.com

KEY ISSUES + CAMPAIGN PRIORITIES

• Economy: Middleton says he will back small businesses, cut waste and fraud, tackle the housing shortage, and create pathways to prosperity for families.

• Justice System: He wants to enforce accountability, deliver justice to victims, and break the cycles that keep communities from healing.

• Political Divide: Middleton believes the primary division is due to a broken system, and he says he will support all Michiganders. 

• Make Michigan Healthy Again: Middleton says he is committed to policies that improve school nutrition, strengthen PE programs, expand access to healthy foods, and support parental involvement in schools.

• Transparency: Middleton says his legislation will require legislators to publicly disclose every lobbyist, corporation, advocacy group, and individual who sought to influence their votes.

BACKGROUND

Born in West Michigan, Brady Middleton graduated from Grand Valley State University with a degree in political science. He co-founded Metas, a managed labels services company, and holds patents in the United States, EU, UK, Canada, Mexico, Japan, Indonesia, India, and more than 20 additional countries. Middleton previously served as a former legislative intern to retired Republican State Senator Mark Jansen.

In 2009, Middleton was the victim of a violent attack and robbery by three assailants while working as a pizza delivery driver. He spent five years mentoring the youngest 13-year-old attacker until he graduated from high school. 

Campaign Website BradyMiddleton.com

KEY ISSUES + CAMPAIGN PRIORITIES

• Education: Glanville says she will “fight for our students like any teacher would” and will use her experience as an educator and legislator to ensure classrooms have the resources they need. 

• Affordability: Glanville states that she will continue to support working families and small businesses while fighting against cuts to services.  

• Healthcare: She is committed to ensuring every family can access affordable, quality healthcare regardless of their ZIP code. 

• Environment: Glanville is a member of the Great Lakes Legislative Caucus and works with leaders across the region to monitor and create policy that protects our water quality and usage. 

BACKGROUND

Carol Glanville is a lifelong resident of West Michigan and is currently serving her third term in the Michigan House of Representatives. She was raised in a union household and earned a Bachelor’s degree from Western Michigan University and a Master’s degree from the University of Phoenix. Glanville started her career as a classroom teacher and educator over 20 years ago. She has taught at all levels from pre-K through adult education, and has worked in public, private, and charter schools, mentored student teachers, and led technology integration at Grand Rapids Public Schools and the Grand Rapids Catholic Secondary Schools. 

Glanville served as a Walker City Commissioner before running for election to the State House in 2022, where she flipped a Republican stronghold. She currently serves as the minority vice chair on the House Appropriations Subcommittee on School Aid and the Department of Education and has secured more than $75 million in state investments for her district to support schools, fire stations, community centers, and programs like Meals on Wheels. Glanville has championed policies that improve the cost of living: eliminating the retirement tax, expanding the working families tax credit, and establishing universal Pre-K.

Campaign Website VoteGlanville.com

KEY ISSUES + CAMPAIGN PRIORITIES

• Economy: Huizenga says he will support small businesses, get the government out of the way, and make it easier to get things done. 

• Mental Health: He has worked to provide mental health resources, including funding for Pine Rest and in-school counseling. 

• Education: Huizenga says he will continue to fight for higher academic standards, more class options, effective teacher bonuses, early literacy intervention, and reading scholarships, so every child has the chance to succeed. 

• Public Safety: Huizenga will advocate for public safety and has backed funding for body cameras, safety resources, and improved officer training.

• Veterans: Huizenga has supported property tax relief for veterans, career training, and mental health resources.

• Roads + Bridges: He believes in making investments in critical infrastructure and plans to support projects that deliver long-term value. 

• Environment: Huizenga says he will support protecting and preserving our natural resources and has worked alongside environmental advocates and business leaders as Chair of the Michigan Conservative Energy Forum. 

• Limited Government: His campaign states that he “has fought for greater transparency and accountability in spending” and that he will “continue to hold the line.” 

• Clean Drinking Water: Huizenga has authored bipartisan legislation to provide free blood testing for children in high-PFAS communities and improve access to resources. 

BACKGROUND

Mark Huizenga grew up on a small farm in West Michigan and is the incumbent candidate for Michigan Senator representing District 30. He earned a Bachelor’s degree from Calvin College and a Master’s degree from Aquinas College before entering the private sector, where he served many senior management roles at Spectrum Health (now Corewell Health), Health Development International, ProCare Systems, and other health care organizations. He also served as an adjunct instructor at Grand Valley State University and owns a consulting firm while also serving as a managing partner of Key Green Solutions, a local software company. 

Huizenga has served the city of Walker in various capacities, including on the planning commission, as city commissioner for the 3rd Ward, and as mayor. He was elected to represent the 74th District in the Michigan House of Representatives in 2018 and 2020, then elected to the Senate in 2021, where he is currently serving his second term.

Campaign Website VoteHuizenga.com

KEY ISSUES + CAMPAIGN PRIORITIES

BACKGROUND

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KEY ISSUES + CAMPAIGN PRIORITIES

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KEY ISSUES + CAMPAIGN PRIORITIES

• Education: Opal believes in getting back to what works - funding our schools and supporting our teachers - and supports investing in our children’s education.

• Environment: Opal focuses on taking action to hold polluters accountable, preventing contamination, and expanding opportunities for clean energy production.

• Economy: Opal wants investment and development of advanced manufacturing and data centers to be tied to community benefits for the people who live, work, and raise their families here.

• Democracy: Opal states that “America was founded on the idea that everyone has the freedom to participate in community life” and says we need to strongly protect voting rights and ensure every citizen can participate, not just the rich and powerful.

BACKGROUND

Stan Opal grew up in Michigan and enlisted in the US Army after high school, where he served as a Combat Engineer tasked with detonating and removing abandoned landmines in Korea. He then served ten additional years in the Army Reserve through the final years of the Cold War. Upon returning home from active duty, he started a small business and later joined a union as a crane operator in nuclear and coal-fired power plants. Opal spent his career keeping our power grid stable and maintaining power plants across Michigan.

Since retiring from the Operating Engineers, Opal has remained active in his community, including serving as Chair of the Friends of White Cloud Library, on the White Cloud Area Fire Board, and as a Governor appointee to the Michigan State Board of Professional Engineers.

Campaign Website StanOpalforthe33rd.com

KEY ISSUES + CAMPAIGN PRIORITIES

• School Choice: DeBoer wants to pass Michigan Education Savings Accounts, expand MESP 529 plans, open public school sports to all residents, and offer tax-credit scholarships. 

• Deregulate Employers + Kill Mandates: DeBoer says she will work to repeal the Earned Sick Time Act for firms with fewer than 50 employees, kill the Prevailing Wage to eliminate union-scale mandates on state contracts, and launch an online permitting portal. 

• Mental Health: DeBoer plans to eliminate Prepaid Inpatient Health Plans and direct Medicaid dollars to county Community Mental Health organizations through a block-grant model. She wants to prioritize faith-based and non-profit providers with faith integration encouraged and support crisis response.  

• Property Tax Reform: She will push to cut residential school millage by 20% over four years, end Non-homestead (Business) School Debt Payments, pass a Fair Share Millage Cap for households with no children, prevent foreclosures by slashing delinquent tax interest rates, and restrict all new/renewal millage votes to only presidential elections.  

• Slash Government Bloat: DeBoar aims to dissolve state agencies and devolve them into counties, sunset state programs such as the MDE teacher grants, and audit the state government with all cuts posted online. 

BACKGROUND

Katie DeBoer grew up in Michigan and attended Cornerstone University, where she holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. She previously worked in corporate spaces, but then left in 2019 to focus on her family and the residential construction business she owns with her husband. She is a proud Christian wife and mother, and in 2021 she joined with other parents to launch a homeschool co-op that is now formalized as a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. She recently authored her first book, a Christian sci-fi thriller. 

DeBoer currently serves as a Kent County Commissioner and holds a variety of committee positions. She previously served on the Cannon Township Board of Trustees. 

Campaign Website Katie4MI.com

KEY ISSUES + CAMPAIGN PRIORITIES

BACKGROUND

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KEY ISSUES + CAMPAIGN PRIORITIES

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KEY ISSUES + CAMPAIGN PRIORITIES

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KEY ISSUES + CAMPAIGN PRIORITIES

BACKGROUND

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KEY ISSUES + CAMPAIGN PRIORITIES

• Economic Prosperity + Fair Wages: Cheng-Schulting wants to focus on uplifting working families by raising wages to a true living wage and closing the tipped wage gap, lowering costs for families through targeted tax relief and affordable childcare, supporting small businesses with local investment incentives and access to capital, creating clear pathways to homeownership by expanding first-time buyer programs and addressing affordability, strengthening unions and collective bargaining rights, ending wage theft through stronger enforcement and accountability measures, and tying wage increases to the cost of living. 

• Universal Healthcare: She is committed to ensuring affordable care for every resident, expanding mental health access, and protecting disability rights by championing MiCare, supporting Carrie Rheingans Medicare for All plan, strengthening and enforcing Michigan’s Persons with Disabilities Civil Rights Act and the Michigan Handicappers Civil Rights Act, ensuring fair wages and working conditions for caregivers, expanding funding for disability support services, prioritizing mental health care, and protecting and expanding paid family and medical leave.

• Public Education: Cheng-Schulting wants to create an equitable, inclusive education system through ensuring equitable school funding, championing Michigan education reform, investing in mental health support, increasing funding for extracurricular activities and afterschool programs, providing fair wages and support for educators, and expanding access to technology and broadband.

• Clean Energy + Environmental Justice: Cheng-Schulting aims to protect access to clean air, safe, water, and a sustainable future by pushing to shut down Line-5 and investing in renewable, community-owned energy solutions, ensuring intentional implementation of the Michigan Health Climate Plan and the Grand Rapids Climate Action and Adaptation Plan, supporting the Protecting Overburdened Communities Act, enforcing stronger permitting standards to hold corporations accountable for contamination and public health impacts, expanding Michigan’s green infrastructure, including clean public transit, energy efficient schools, and affordable housing retrofits, protecting our Great Lakes and waterways, creating equitable access to clean energy jobs and workforce training, and championing environmental equity. 

• Immigrant Rights + Human Rights: Cheng-Schulting is committed to protecting the ability to participate in civic life for all by supporting “Drive SAFE” legislation, championing Senate Bills 508-510 (2025-2026) to protect safety, privacy and family unity for immigrants and non-immigrants alike, protecting due process and civil liberties, ensuring language access and culturally competent services, strengthening enforcement of Michigan’s civil rights protections, and partnering with local governments and community organizers.

BACKGROUND

Born in Taiwan, Lily Cheng-Schulting moved to the U.S. as a toddler when her parents immigrated in pursuit of a better future for their children. After graduating from high school with honors, Cheng-Schulting attended the University of California, Berkeley and interned for a U.S. Congressman as a freshman. After earning her bachelor’s, she moved to Boston, where she worked for Elders at Risk, helping to protect vulnerable seniors from abuse and neglect. She went on to earn her Juris Doctor from Syracuse University College of Law and says her time strengthened her commitment to using the law as a tool for justice, equity, and empowerment. 

Cheng-Schulting is the Founder & President of Disability A-Team of West Michigan, a coalition organized after cuts to the special education schools in Kent County impacted her family, as her autistic son lost access to vital support services. She was formerly elected as the Democratic nominee for State Representative in HD72 covering Kentwood, Gaines Township, and NE Allegan County. Cheng-Schulting currently serves as Co-Chair of the Kentwood Dems Club and is a former Vice Chair of the Progressive Caucus of the Michigan Democratic Party and former Co-Chair of the Kent County Progressive Caucus. 

Campaign Website Lily4MI.com

KEY ISSUES + CAMPAIGN PRIORITIES

In a Facebook post on April 3, 2026, Lee stated that “his campaign will focus on improving education, increasing government accountability, and bringing real-world problem solving to Lansing.”

BACKGROUND

According to his answers on Ballotpedia, Doug Lee is a business owner and community advocate. Lee is the owner of Jam’n Bean Coffee & Tea Company, a locally owned business based in the Grand Rapids area, and has over 40 years of experience in business operations, problem-solving, and organizational management. In addition to his work in the private sector, he is also associated with Taro Systems, Inc., a software company serving the real estate industry nationwide.

Lee became actively involved in local education issues in 2020, regularly attending school board meetings and advocating for increased transparency, parental involvement, and a stronger focus on academic achievement. Lee became active in the Forest Hills School District in 2020-2021 and ultimately ran for, but did not win, a position on the school board in 2021. Lee became known as a member of the 'Chalkboard Four" who had the support of Forest Hills for JUST Education and was endorsed by Moms for Liberty. 

KEY ISSUES + CAMPAIGN PRIORITIES

• Housing: Wooden states, “I’m one of a few legislators in state history who have actually built housing for working & middle-class families. I know the hurdles our state housing crisis faces and am ready to offer solutions. I’ll work to cut red tape, build more homes, invest in affordable housing, and crack down on Wall Street investors.”

• Childcare: Wooden wants to expand reliable, high-quality, and affordable childcare to grow our local economy and build strong communities.  

• Education + Job Training: Wooden wants to protect universal pre-K and free school meals while refocusing efforts on improving literacy and expanding job training.

• Environment: He will support the transition to cheaper, cleaner energy like wind, solar, and battery storage while improving the grid to prevent blackouts and bring down energy costs for homeowners and small businesses. 

• Affordable Healthcare: Wooden says he will fight back against prescription drug price gouging and federal cuts to affordable healthcare. 

BACKGROUND

Stephen Wooden spent his early childhood in New York City, and was just 10 years old when the U.S. was attacked on September 11th. He says he learned then that people of all races, religions, incomes and backgrounds, at their core, want the same things: to live in safe neighborhoods, support their families, send their kids to good schools and even celebrate now and again. 

Wooden’s family moved to Grand Rapids in 2005, and he graduated from Grand Rapids Catholic Central High School. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Political Theory & Constitutional Democracy from Michigan State University in 2013. He served as Kent County Commissioner for six years before being elected to the Michigan State House in 2024, where he is currently serving his first term and is running for re-election. 

Campaign Website StephenWooden.com

KEY ISSUES + CAMPAIGN PRIORITIES

BACKGROUND

DeBoer currently serves on the Forest Hills Public School Board. According to an article posted on CanvasRebel, DeBoer works in event design and vintage retail, and co-founded Red Pilled Michigan, a political action committee that coordinates event services for candidates and engages volunteers in becoming a church liaison for Citizens for Traditional Values’ “Pews to Polls” program, applying to become an election inspector, and/or a Poll Challenger. It appears the PAC is not currently active.  

Campaign Website

KEY ISSUES + CAMPAIGN PRIORITIES

• Housing Access + Affordability: Grant says she will lead the Housing Readiness Package to reduce barriers to affordable housing, increase supply, and lower housing costs for working families. 

• Community-Centered Development: Grant will push to direct state investment toward projects that reflect the needs, culture, and identity of our communities. 

• Safety: She wants to establish the country’s first human trafficking interstate compact, ensuring coordination of enforcement across borders, disrupting trafficking rings, and continuing to expand universal background checks to improve community safety. 

• Environment: Grant says she will hold corporations accountable for reducing emissions by building out public tracking of local pollution levels, investing in cleaner environments, and addressing Grand Rapids' status as one of the most air-polluted mid-sized cities in the United States. 

BACKGROUND

Kristian Grant is a Grand Rapids native currently serving her second term as Michigan’s 82nd House District Representative. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University and was the youngest elected member of the Grand Rapids Public Schools Board, where she served for 6 years, including two years as Board Chair. During that time, she also served on the City of Grand Rapids Master Plan Committee, Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. Board of Directors, the Southtown Corridor Improvement Authority, the Promise Zone Authority, the Convention Arena Authority, and the SmartZone Local Development Finance Authority. 

As Representative for District 82, Grant has passed 11 bills and secured over $73 million for her district. Outside of Lansing, Grant is actively engaged in real estate development and neighborhood revitalization through her small business. Grant says that “every decision I make starts with one question: will this make life better for the people I represent?”

Campaign Website ElectKristianGrant.com

KEY ISSUES + CAMPAIGN PRIORITIES

BACKGROUND

According to his LinkedIn profile, Malinoski is a catering manager at Aramark and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management from Grand Valley State University.

Campaign Website

KEY ISSUES + CAMPAIGN PRIORITIES

• Housing: Fitzgerald has supported policies that help build more homes and rehabilitate homes already in our neighborhoods, and recognizes the need for more housing that enables working families, young adults, and seniors to afford a home as our communities grow. 

• Affordability: Fitzgerald states, “I want to get our state back to where hard work and a day’s wages mean a family can make memories, not just make ends meet,” and says he will continue fighting to create good-paying jobs that pay wages people can use to get ahead. 

• Education: He wants to address Michigan’s education challenges through classroom improvements and responsible funding, including paying teachers what they deserve, equipping students with the tools and technology they need to succeed, and providing extra support for students who need additional attention and instruction.

• Healthcare: Fitzgerald says he is committed to working on solutions that make it easier to access healthcare and preventive services, and to avoid unnecessary trips to the emergency room. 

• Safety: Fitzgerald says he “will continue working to ensure our communities are protected by well-trained, well-prepared first responders while supporting local leaders and proven strategies that help prevent crime before it happens.”

BACKGROUND

John Fitzgerald was born and raised in Michigan and earned a bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University. After experiencing his father’s death as a teenager and watching his grandparents age, he became a volunteer and advocate for causes supporting child and adolescent grief and quality elder care with organizations such as Ele’s Place and The Clark Foundation. 

Fitzgerald was elected to the Wyoming City Council in 2020 after immersing himself in various community nonprofit initiatives, and to the Michigan House of Representatives in 2022. He is in his second term as Representative of Michigan’s 83rd House District and running for re-election. Fitzgerald serves as Chair of the Local Government and Municipal Finance Committee and shares that he is “determined to help improve the prosperity of local communities, striving to make Michigan’s hometowns even more special by enhancing infrastructure, public amenities, and central services people depend on.”

Campaign Website John4MI.com

KEY ISSUES + CAMPAIGN PRIORITIES

• Economy: Ramirez says she will focus on supporting local businesses and creating good-paying jobs for working families.

• Education: She wants to invest in our schools so every child has access to quality education and opportunities to succeed.

• Healthcare: Ramirez wants to fight for affordable healthcare so no family has to choose between medical care and paying bills.

• Safety: Her campaign prioritizes keeping our communities safe while building trust between law enforcement and the people they serve.

• Community Empowerment: Ramirez wants to give every resident a voice and ensure local communities have the resources they need to thrive.

• Infrastructure: Ramirez says she will invest in roads, broadband, and clean water infrastructure.  

BACKGROUND

Cindy Ramirez is a West Michigan native and daughter of a migrant worker. She attended Grand Rapids Community College to earn her Associate’s in Computer Technology and received a Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design from the Academy of Art University. She has held various roles in marketing, accounts payable, and as a hilo driver. 

Campaign Website Cindy4MI.com

KEY ISSUES + CAMPAIGN PRIORITIES

• Education: Silvis plans to expand career and technical education opportunities, support affordable and accessible higher education - including college, community college, or skilled trades, increase the per-pupil funding for our K-12 public schools, support teachers with fair pay, and uphold the universal free breakfast and lunch program.

• Veterans + First Responders: Silvis will push to expand access to veteran mental health resources, ensure adequate resources to supportive service agencies, expand existing college tuition assistance programs to include the children of disabled veterans, and ensure first responders receive the resources and support they need to keep communities safe.

• Economy: She wants to fund new economic opportunities in the Grandville, Walker, and NW Grand Rapids areas, upgrade aging infrastructure, expand access to public transportation, and promote family-oriented policies such as paid family leave and expanded daycare access.

• Environment: Silvis says she will prioritize protecting our Great Lakes and local waterways from pollution, supporting clean energy solutions that create Michigan jobs, ensuring every community has access to safe drinking water, and encouraging responsible development that balances growth with environmental stewardship.

• Healthcare: Silvis aims to protect Michiganders’ healthcare from policies, including impacts at the Federal level that could increase costs or threaten coverage, lower prescription drug prices, support local healthcare providers by working with hospitals, healthcare facilities, and professionals to strengthen care, and expand access to care, including primary care, mental health services, and preventive healthcare.

BACKGROUND

Khristian Silvis is a veteran, wife, and mother of two. She began her service in the U.S. Army as a combat medic on tour in Afghanistan, then continued serving her community by working alongside former U.S. Representative Sean Patrick Maloney as his Director of Military & Veterans Affairs. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communications from Colorado State University. After moving to West Michigan, Silvis served as District Director for U.S. Representative Hillary Scholten. In this role, she worked to connect people with the resources they needed and to ensure their voices were heard in Washington.

Campaign Website VoteSilvis.com

KEY ISSUES + CAMPAIGN PRIORITIES

• Affordability: Robbins says he will advocate for reducing the tax burden on working families and making Michigan more affordable for everyone.

• Public Safety: Robbins wants to support law enforcement and first responders while keeping our neighborhoods safe.

• Education: He wants to ensure that every child in the 84th District has access to excellent schools and opportunities.

• Local Business Growth: Robbins plans to cut red tape and create an environment where small businesses can thrive in West Michigan.

• Veterans’ Services: He wants to focus on expanding access to healthcare, housing, and employment resources for those who served.

• Infrastructure + Environment: Robbins wants to invest in roads, clean water, and sustainable practices for future generations.

BACKGROUND

Drew Jake Robbins was born in Grayling, Michigan and moved to Grand Rapids to attend Grand Valley State University, where he obtained his B.B.A. in Human Resources Management and Finance. Following graduation, Robbins enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve and served for six years, attending the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School, where he graduated as the Distinguished Honors Graduate and valedictorian of his class. 

Robbins was elected as a Grand Rapids City Commissioner in 2022. During his time on the City Commission, he served as Chair of the Community Development and Fiscal Committees, was a member of the Public Safety Committee, and was appointed as President of the Commission for his final full year. Most recently, Robbins worked as a Sr. HRIS Software Analyst for an agribusiness company. 

Campaign Website RobbinsforMichigan.com

Born in Lansing and raised in East Lansing, Megan Cavanagh grew up immersed in public service. After graduating from the University of Michigan with a degree in environmental engineering, Megan worked as a consultant evaluating environmental risk and property development before discovering her true calling in the law. She earned her J.D. from Wayne State University Law School while working full-time, building a career grounded in discipline, independence, and perseverance. Elected to the Michigan Supreme Court in 2018, Megan has championed a justice system that is accessible, transparent, and centered on people. She has led efforts to improve child welfare outcomes, strengthen legal representation for families, collaborate with tribal courts, and ensure that courts serve every community with fairness and dignity. 

Justice Noah Hood is a lifelong Detroiter, public servant, and jurist committed to facts, fairness, integrity, and the rule of law. Born in 1986 and raised on Detroit’s east side, he grew up in a family deeply rooted in public service, faith, and community leadership.  Justice Hood attended Yale University, where he studied anthropology and languages. He went on to earn his law degree from Harvard Law School and began his career practicing commercial litigation in Detroit. Driven by a commitment to public service, Hood joined the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Toledo, where he prosecuted complex federal cases including fraud, identity theft, money laundering, and crimes against children. His work earned recognition from federal law enforcement partners for his leadership and dedication to justice. In 2019, Hood was appointed to the Third Judicial Circuit Court in Detroit, one of the busiest trial courts in the country, where he presided over high-volume criminal dockets and handled serious felony trials. During his tenure, he also presided over the Veterans Treatment Court, a problem-solving court for justice-involved veterans. His experience on the bench shaped his belief that justice must be both efficient and fair, ensuring that every case receives careful attention. In 2022, Hood was appointed to the Michigan Court of Appeals. There, he authored numerous opinions on nearly every aspect of Michigan law, including search and seizure, the Confrontation Clause, juvenile justice, family law, zoning law, construction law, and no-fault. The decisions demonstrated a commitment to high-confidence facts and our rules-based order. Today, Justice Hood continues his service on Michigan’s highest court, bringing a deep respect for the law, a commitment to thoughtful judicial decision-making, and a lifelong dedication to the people of Michigan.

The presiding judge in the Oscoda County Circuit Court.

A judge in Michigan’s 6th Circuit Court.

A candidate nominated at the U.S. Taxpayers Party convention.

A candidate running under the U.S. Taxpayers Party platform.