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Daily News • Thursday, November 3, 2016
86th district state house of representatives
4 candidates hope to represent parts of Ionia and Kent counties By Cory Smith
individual states.” As a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, Albert is a supporter of the Second Four candidates are looking to secure the Amendment, the right to bear arms. open seat of state representative of Michigan’s “I will never vote for legislation which 86th House District on Tuesday. violates the Constitutional right to bear State Rep. Lisa Posthumus Lyons is term- arms,” he said. limited as the 86th District’s state representative and she is currently running for the posiBill Gelineau tion of Kent County clerk. As a Libertarian, Bill Gelineau of Lowell Republican Thomas Albert, Libertarian Township hopes to protect the rights of the Bill Gelineau, Democrat Lynn Mason and U.S. Constitution. Green Party candidate Cliff Yankovich are all “Most of the people in our district are doing on the ballot. The 86th District includes quite well. Our biggest challenge is recognizing seven townships in southeast Kent County, the struggles of a smaller but not insignificant the city of Lowell, four townships in north- number of our neighbors who continue to west Ionia county and the cities of Belding fight day-to-day to make ends meet, ensure and Ionia. their kids are educated, and take care of themselves and others,” he said. “I will continue to Thomas Albert be a bullhorn for misdirected state resources, Thomas Albert of Grattan Township is calling out our legislature for bad spending focusing on families and job creation. priorities.” “Residents of the 86th District need a repGelineau pointed to Michigan’s infrastrucresentative who will fight to reduce taxes and ture as a primary problem. “We’ve built too many roads and bridges over-regulation,” he said. “We need businesses that are not restricted from growing and by irresponsible cost sharing models,” he creating good jobs. We need a tax policy said. “I would work to re-shape the responsiwhich does not overzealously take hard earn- bilities of the state to ensure trunklines and major highways are maintained by MDOT.” ing household income from families. ” Gelineau said the model of traditional The Republican believes there has been too school systems will continue to decline as much federal overreach in state education. “It is time to push back and tell the federal online learning tools become more available. “I have long advocated for much more government that education is a responsibility reserved for the states. Each state has its own power and responsibility for ensuring a good problems which vary by region,” he said. education be given to parents,” he said. “(We “Nationwide standards are too broad and are need to) continue to create more educational not tailored enough for problems faced by models like the Khan Academy, whereas
‘cyber’ classrooms or ‘distance learning.’” Mason is a supporter of the Second Amendment, but she believes “common sense” regulations, such as background checks, are needed.
Daily News senior staff writer
70th district state house of representatives
Thomas Albert
Lynn Mason
Cliff Yankovich
learning is ongoing and virtually free.” Lynn Mason Lynn Mason of Otisco Township hopes to continue a career she has dedicated to public service. “I’m running because Lansing is broken,” she said. “It’s time Michigan’s legislators worked together to address Michigan’s needs.” The Democrat described the state’s infrastructure as “crumbling around us.” “Our decaying infrastructure puts Michigan citizens’ well-being and health at risk, and negatively affects tourism and our economy,” she said. “I would address these issues by forming a bipartisan coalition to design a plan that would make infrastructure a priority.” Mason said she is against “for profit” schools. “I do not support using public tax dollars to fund for-profit private schools, for-profit charters, or religious schools,” she said. “I do not support replacing teachers with computers, or over-emphasizing the role of so-called
Cliff Yankovich Cliff Yankovich of Cascade Township is running on the Green Party ticket as a believer that money has provided too much influence in Lansing. “I will put the best interests of the taxpayers of Michigan as a whole, and the 86th District in particular, ahead of my own interests and ahead of the interests of large corporations and companies,” he said. Yankovich said his main goals are the preservation and safety of water, keeping public schools from becoming profit centers, and putting an end to corporate warfare. According to Yankovich, there are 32,090 households in the 86th District, and his message is that he will work for each and every resident, “not just one.” “People from both major parties are consistently disappointed because they elect someone based on their premises only to see those disappear when the candidate gets to office,” he said. “Our roads are terrible. School children were poisoned with lead contaminated drinking water in Flint. Our schools are being turned into for-profit enterprise. All of this happens because of the power of corporate and PAC money in Lansing.” csmith@staffordgroup.com (616) 548-8277
michigan house of representatives
3 candidates vying for open seat Democrats aim for House control By Cory Smith
Daily News senior staff writer
Three candidates are vying for the open seat of Michigan’s 70th House District. State Rep. Rick Outman is term-limited from continuing on in his position. Green Party candidate Michael Anderson, Democrat Ken Hart and Republican Jim Lower all have the goal of representing Montcalm County and part of Gratiot County, including the cities of Alma, St. Louis, Bethany Township, Pine River Township, Seville Township, and portions of Arcada and Emerson townships. Michael Anderson Michael Anderson of Alma describes himself as a socialist with a goal to spread his message of the Socialist Party. “My goal with this campaign is to outreach to Michiganders and others in an attempt to spread Socialist Party principals and connect local, likeminded, anti-capitalist, and revolutionary socialist together,” he said. “To be honest, I’m not running to beat the other candidates. I’m running against the capitalist system.” If elected, Anderson would work to rid “systemic issues” he believes are inherent in a capitalist system, including racism, homophobia and misogyny. He would hope to construct a “new society” of egalitarian principals, embracing cooperation over competition, promoting a system in which health care, housing, food, education and basic
except in cases of rape or incest. Hart is in favor of the Second Amendment, the right to bear arms; however, he believes reform is needed. “I am pro guns and Ken Jim understand we need to step Hart Lower up the watchful eye, of necessities “are treated as those dealing guns,” he said. the right of all humans, not Jim Lower just those who can afford Jim Lower of Cedar Lake them.” is running with a belief that Anderson is also a propo“we the people” must be in nent of increasing the minimum wage in Michigan charge of the government. “The government has a from $8.50 to $15 per hour, saying he doesn’t believe the role to play in creating jobs. current rate is a livable That role is to create laws income for “the nearly and policies that encourage 100,000 Michiganders liv- economic growth in our ing at or below minimum communities and our state,” he said. “That does not wage.” mean handing out corporate welfare, it means creatKen Hart ing a playing field and an Ken Hart of Alma believes environment where compathe way business is done in nies can be successful and Michigan needs to return to provide good paying jobs.” the people, not corporaLower describes himself tions. as a “pro-life, pro-jobs, pro“I want to eliminate the Second Amendment, and State Purchasing Agency pro-family values” candiand allow state departments date. As a lifelong member to buy local, while saving of the National Rifle tax payer dollars,” he said. “I Association, Lower — a also would like to see every concealed pistol license state agency allowed a holder himself — said he three-year budget guaran- will be a “strong defender” teed each year. Let the agen- of the right to keep and bear cies save money and return arms. one half back to the treaHe is “100 percent” prosury and the other half the life. But the most important employees all share.” issue on his docket are jobs. Hart is not a proponent Lower believes his experiof charter schools. ence as the former village “I know our public school manager of Edmore, comsystem is in trouble and missioner of Ionia County hope to repair that by stop- and various political posiping all charter schools in tions in Lansing, would aid Michigan, so children can him in bringing more jobs entertain a real education to the 70th District. with sports and band and arts,” he said. csmith@staffordgroup.com Hart said he is pro-life, (616) 548-8277
eighth judicial circuit court
By David Eggert Associated Press
LANSING — Conditions are ideal for Democrats to bolster their ranks in the Legislature, but capturing a House majority — and ending Republicans’ full control of state government — could be elusive. Democrats’ advantages include higher voter turnout for the presidential election and the departure of dozens of Republicans who were swept into office in the 2010 wave and cannot run again under term limits. Democrats have gained House seats in every presidential contest since 2004. With no statewide proposals and few statelevel races on the ballot, the focus is primarily on at least a dozen GOP-held House districts that will determine which party secures the minimum 56 seats for a majority. In six of the “toss-ups” identified by the publication Inside Michigan Politics, Republican incumbents are seeking re-election. The other six are open. Half of the dozen districts are blue-collar places where Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump may fare well — Macomb County, northern Michigan, “Downriver” Detroit and Monroe County — even if Democrat Hillary Clinton wins the state. Democrats hope that Gov. Rick Snyder’s low approval rating, which fell after Flint’s water crisis, and voters’ frustration with nearly six years of one-party control will net them the nine seats they need. “Democrats in this state are universally united on the importance of winning the Michigan House,” said Rep. Adam Zemke of Ann Arbor, who is House Democrats’ campaign chairman. He said Democrats have “great candidates” and “recruitment was pretty easy” because people are upset about GOP policies. He cited problems at a state veterans home and the Michigan Senate’s pricey planned move to a newer office building. “The Republican brand in Michigan is terrible right now. It’s terrible because of Trump. It’s terrible because of Snyder,” Zemke said. “Voters want to see balance in Lansing. They’ve seen that one-party control is not an effective way of running state government.” Republicans counter that Democrats are running “retread” candidates who have lost before, and voters are happy with GOP-led progress on job creation, unemployment, the business tax code, road spending and addressing long-term
public employee retirement liabilities. “People see the difference between how Washington, D.C.’s, being governed and how the state’s being governed. We’ve made great progress,” said Rep. Aric Nesbitt of Lawton, chairman of the House Republican Campaign Committee. Republicans have a 62-45 edge, with three vacancies. Nesbitt said Democrats struggled to find better-quality candidates, and some “far left” Democrats who won their primaries are out of the mainstream in battleground districts. “The indecision, the weakness of the Obama administration has provided a whole other generation of fresh-faced Republican leaders,” he said. Democrats contend that coattails for Trump, who polls suggest could be headed to a big loss if he does not turn things around, are not as strong in areas where the GOP expects him to have appeal. An unknown factor is whether disheartened Republicans will choose not to vote if the presidential contest is out of reach. Of 10 competitive races with the most combined fundraising among candidates through Aug. 22, Republicans had the financial edge in eight, according to the Michigan Campaign Finance Network. Six are incumbent Republicans, who would be expected to raise more money. Snyder’s nonprofit fund, Making Government Accountable, had spent $110,000 airing economic “comeback” ads on broadcast television through Oct. 10, according to a Center for Public Integrity analysis of data from media tracking firm Kantar Media/CMAG. Of the six districts being targeted, two are considered competitive but not highly competitive — those held by GOP Reps. Klint Kesto in Oakland County and Brandt Iden in Kalamazoo County. Susan Demas, publisher and editor of Inside Michigan Politics, said Democrats will gain seats, but Clinton has not polled well in Macomb County and northern Michigan — “areas where the Democrats need to pick up House seats.” She gave Democrats a 25 percent shot at taking the majority, noting that the last time they won back nine seats was 2008, when Barack Obama won Michigan by 16 points after John McCain stopped campaigning there and a record number of people voted. “They’re pretty much at their base level now,” Demas said of Democrats. “The only way to go is up.”
michigan supreme court
2 face off for seat on the bench Detroit judges challenge justices By Elisabeth Waldon Daily News news editor
An attorney and a former prosecutor are vying for the bench of 8th Judicial Circuit Court, which rotates between Ionia and Montcalm counties. Former Ionia County prosecutor Ron Schafer of Portland was appointed to the bench last March after Judge David Hoort resigned. Hoort’s term ends this year and Schafer is running for election. He is being challenged for the nonpartisan judicial seat by Monica Tissue-Daws of Stanton. Tissue-Daws faces an uphill battle after the August primary election, which Schafer dominated, taking 60 percent of the vote compared to 26 percent for Tissue-Daws and 14 percent for then-candidate Ron Finegood. Schafer even more than doubled Tissue-Daws results in the city of Stanton where she has served as the longtime mayor. However, Tissue-Daws is now the lone candidate from Montcalm County, while Schafer hails from Ionia County, so Tuesday’s election will show whether voters in both counties have a vested interest in having a local judge.
Ron Schafer
Monica Tissue-Daws
Tissue-Daws has had a longtime private law practice based in Stanton. She believes her 20 years of experience qualify her for the various types of cases she would be called upon to decide as judge. “More than half of the caseload of a circuit judge is civil matters,” she said. “My opponent has no experience in civil matters, as he was a career prosecutor. I have experience in all of the types of cases handled by a circuit court judge, both criminal and civil. I have even prosecuted criminal and child protection cases. Tissue-Daws noted that Schafer was not elected to the bench, he was appointed by Gov. Rick Snyder. “The voters need to know that even though my opponent appears as the incumbent, he was appointed and not chosen by the people,” she said. “The
appointment occurred only a few days before the deadline to appear as an incumbent on the ballot. “Montcalm County voters should also be concerned that we already have one circuit court judge from Ionia County (Judge Suzanne Hoseth Kreeger) and none from Montcalm County,” she added. Schafer’s first job was chief assistant prosecutor in Ionia County. He was elected Ionia County prosecutor in 2004 and he remained in that job until being appointed judge last March. He believes his background as prosecutor, as well as a local small town resident, is an important qualifier for the bench. Schafer noted that although he resides in Ionia County, he has the support of every countywide elected leader in both Ionia and Montcalm counties. “Our elected leaders come from every corner of the two counties,” he said. “They have different backgrounds, beliefs and philosophies, but they all unanimously endorse my candidacy. These countywide elected leaders work in and See Judge, Page 15
By Ed White
Associated Press
Joan Larsen made national news in May when Donald Trump’s campaign listed her as a possible pick for the U.S. Supreme Court if he becomes president. “People say, ‘Do you want to be on the Supreme Court?’ I say, ‘I’m on the Supreme Court’ — and that’s where I’d like to stay,” Larsen said. She was referring to the Michigan Supreme Court, where Larsen has been a justice since being appointed a year ago by Gov. Rick Snyder. Now the former law professor is seeking election with Justice David Viviano in the two most significant races for statewide office on the Nov. 8 ballot. Larsen is being challenged by Wayne County Judge Deborah Thomas, while Viviano is facing Wayne County Judge Frank Szymanski. The justices were endorsed by the Republican Party. Their main opponents were nominated by the Democratic Party. But party affiliations aren’t listed on the ballot in Supreme Court races. Larsen and Viviano will be labeled as justices, which is clearly an advantage when voters usually have no idea who’s on the bench and are unaware of a candidate’s credentials. “I don’t see us having enough money to do TV or much radio,” Szymanski said of efforts to promote himself and Thomas. “I just go out and tell people, ‘If you really want justice for all, you’ve got to tell eight people and two of those are going to have to tell eight people.’ That’s the only way we have a chance.” Republican justices have a 5-2 majority over
Democratic justices, but the days of a rancorous Supreme Court appear long over. Through midOctober, at least 20 opinions this year have been unanimous. “Getting the law right is the most important thing,” Viviano said. “When our court is able to speak with one voice, that’s a good thing.” The major candidates: • Larsen, 48, was a professor at University of Michigan law school when Snyder picked her to fill a vacancy in 2015. She said she takes a “textual” approach to her work — or “reading the law for what it says,” not for what she wishes it would say. Larsen was a law clerk to U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, a conservative giant on the court, and spoke at a memorial following his death in February. She also served in the U.S. Justice Department when George W. Bush was president. She considers criminal law and constitutional law to be her strongest areas. “Family law is not something I spent a great deal of time with. That has been a learning curve,” Larsen said. “Those cases have been tragic but also incredibly interesting. ... I enjoy the variety of legal issues that come to us.” • Thomas, 63, is making her second run for the Supreme Court after losing in 2014. She considers the constitution to be a “living organism.” “We have to apply the law in the days and times in which we live,” said Thomas, adding that she and Larsen “are at opposite ends of the pole.” If elected, she wants more specialty courts in See Supreme Court, Page 15