2. +
General Information
County: Ingham
US House District: Congressional District 8
State Upper House District: Senate District 23
State Lower House District: House District 69
Michigan Unified School Districts: East Lansing School District
County Commission Districts: 8 Ingham County District
3. +
The Candidates
The following pages will provide details on candidates
Some of this information will be direct quotes from each
candidate’s website
The information presented is not my own view, and is
representative of the candidate’s political stance
4. +8th Congressional District : Michael Bishop (R) -
Incumbent
Conservative Record: Mike Bishop is a life-long conservative leader with the
record to prove it. Mike Bishop has led by supporting: more than $1billion in
budget cuts, lower taxes, right-to-work, part-time legislature, reduced pay for
public officials, 2nd amendment rights including co-sponsoring ‘shall carry’ CPL
laws; pro-life legislation including a 100% pro-life record.
Record of Cutting Government Spending and lowering taxes: As a
conservative leader had a record of putting forth more than $1 billion in cuts
and fought for lower taxes in Michigan. Mike Bishop received a 100% rating
from the Michigan Chamber of Commerce.
Repeal Obamacare: Mike Bishop has fought against Obamacare from the
start. Mike Bishop will vigorously fight against Obamacare.
2nd Amendment: Supporting our 2nd amendment right to bear arms, Mike
Bishop championed right-to-carry legislation, received A/A+ rating from NRA
and is personally a gun owner with a CPL.
5. + 8th Congressional District : Suzanna
Shkreli (D)
Suzanna will stand up to any attempt to privatize, reduce benefits, or turn the
programs over to Wall Street and private health insurance companies.
In Congress, Suzanna will oppose raising the retirement age, and will support
efforts to bring down the price of prescription medicine, such as allowing
Medicare to negotiate for lower rates.
Suzanna believes we must make college and higher education more affordable
for everyone who wants to earn a college degree. She will also fight to make
community colleges and trade schools more accessible for those who want to
improve their skills.
In Congress, Suzanna will continue that fight by voting to reauthorize the
Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), which protects domestic abuse survivors.
She will fight to pass legislation like the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, which
further prevents discrimination in the workplace.
Most importantly, Suzanna believes women should be able to make their own
health care decisions, and will fight back against members of Congress who want
to outlaw a woman’s right to choose.
6. + 8th Congressional District: Other Candidates (These
Candidates don’t have substantive platforms)
Jeff Wood (L)
Maria Green (G)
Jeremy Burgess (NL)
7. +
8th Congressional District:
The following link contains a detailed Candidate fact sheet
http://lwvmi.org/documents/VG2016GE.US08.pdf
8. + 69th District, Michigan House of Representatives: Sam
Singh (D) Incumbent
“Positioning Michigan in a global economy means having top rate schools and
universities, robust job growth and a strong commitment to a clean
environment. If we focus on these three areas, we can create the type of
Michigan we want to see in the 21st century. As a former Mayor, non-profit
employee, and current State Representative I’ve worked closely with
community leaders to bring real solutions to our state’s problems”
We must make sure that we are supplying our teachers with the appropriate
technology, training and resources to make sure students are getting the best
educational opportunities.”
“We need to support the technology transfer from higher education institutions
to entrepreneurs so we can take ideas from the laboratories to the
marketplace. We need to adequately fund all levels of education so our
students are prepared to enter into a global workforce.”
9. + 69th District, Michigan House of Representatives: Sam
Singh (D) Incumbent Continued
“As a State Representative, I have sponsored legislation to increase our state’s
energy efficiency standards. We need a comprehensive state agenda on clean
energy and energy consumption which will help us make the right long term
decisions.”
“I am proud to have supported progressive issues throughout my entire career
both in politics and in the nonprofit sector. Though our state has made many
strides over the years, we have stepped back in some areas. I am a strong
supporter of a women’s right to choose and voted against legislation that
prevents private insurance companies from offering coverage for abortion
without the purchase of a special rider. “
“I also offered an amendment to the state budget to prevent state funds
from being used for court costs defending Michigan’s unconstitutional and
discriminatory anti-marriage law. I have been and will continue to be a
voice to protect the rights of underrepresented people across our state.”
10. + 69th District, Michigan House of Representative:
George Nastas III ®
“Indiana is a right-to-work state now, so Indiana has got a
comparative advantage versus Michigan,” he said. “And when
manufacturers look at where they’re going to expand their
businesses or put their businesses, they’re going to look to
Indiana rather than Michigan. That’s not to say people
shouldn’t have the right to form unions, but workers shouldn’t
be compelled to join those unions as a condition of
employment.”
(Could not find other relevant info)
11. +
State Board of Education
Duties: The State Board of Education has eight members and
has leadership and general supervision responsibility over all
public education, including adult education and instructional
programs in state institutions, except institutions of higher
education granting baccalaureate degrees. It shall serve as the
general planning and coordinating body for all public education,
including higher education, and shall advise the legislature as
to the financial requirements in connection therewith. It shall
appoint a Superintendent of Public Instruction who shall be
responsible for the execution of its policies.
12. +
State Board of Education:
Candidates
Link to Candidate Fact Sheet:
http://lwvmi.org/documents/VG2016GEStateBoardofEd.pdf
13. +
University Administration Elections
University of Michigan Board of Regents
Michigan State University Board of Trustees
Wayne State University Board of Governors
15. +
Ingham County Commissioner:
Mark Grebner (D)
The County's priorities have remain largely unchanged for 40 years: how to
allocate our scarce resources to deal with new and changing public needs.
Looming on the immediate horizon is the need to replace our outdated jail and
associated facilities. Because the public is unlikely to support a stand-alone
millage for that purpose, we will need to be creative in finding the $80 million
needed.
As a liberal, I will try to protect services to the needy and vulnerable. At the
same time, I will continue my efforts to put the County on a sound fiscal footing,
by ensuring that we don't finance current programs by saddling future Boards
with debts, in the form of unfunded pension or retiree health care obligations.
I intend to rewrite the County's ethics policy to cover other elected officials and
provide clearer guidance to County employees. I'd also like to speed up the
Trails millage process.
17. +
Ingham County Clerk
The County Clerk is elected for a four-year term and is
responsible for keeping records of births, deaths, assumed
names, co-partnerships, and issuing and filing marriage
licenses.
Candidates:
Barb Byrum (D)
Joseph W. Werner (R)
18. +
Ingham County Drain Comissioner
The Drain Commissioner's Office provides for construction,
maintenance and improvement of County public storm
drains. Responsible for the legal establishment and
administration of drainage districts. Assesses benefited
property owners to pay for costs of the drains. Other
responsibilities include lake level control, soil erosion control
(through issuance of permits), acting as the County Board of
Public Works and review of proposed subdivision plats.
Candidates
Patrick Lindermann (D)
George Platsis (R)
19. +
Ingham County Prosecutor
The Prosecuting Attorney’s Office reviews all requests for complaints and
warrants involving violations of state law, Michigan State University and/or County
ordinances.The Prosecuting Attorney is responsible for a wide array of legal
functions for Ingham County some of which include:
Chief Law Enforcement Official for Ingham County
Reviews, authorizes and prosecutes violations of felony and misdemeanor
criminal laws of the State of Michigan committed within Ingham County
Reviews petitions involving juvenile persons under 17 who engage in state law
violations
Reviews all drug and property forfeiture matters
Attends contested mental health commitment hearings
Files and prosecutes actions to establish paternity
Files actions to establish family support matters
20. +
Ingham County Prosecutor: Billy Jo
O’Berry (R)
“I am running for the office of Ingham County Prosecutor because
our community has been betrayed. As a public servant for the last
30-years I am angry about the hypocrisy that has gone
unreported. I am uniquely qualified to lead the Prosecutor’s Office
to a place of integrity and pride. I have been married to Rick for
42-years; our daughter Jolina is a defense attorney and my
granddaughter, Grace is 9 years old. I have prosecuted and
supervised staff attorneys in thousands of cases. I will hold those
who violate the law accountable while upholding constitutional
rights. I am the most qualified candidate in this race. I have the
experience required to be effective and above all else I am not just
looking for a job. I have been a part of this community my entire
life and will always have the best interest of the community in
mind. I am not interested in seeking another office, I am not
interested in backroom deals or taking the easy way.I am
interested in truth and justice.”
21. +
Ingham County Prosecutor: Carol
Siemon (D)
As a life-long Ingham County resident and an experienced former
assistant prosecuting attorney, I working to create progressive
changes in the criminal justice system. My professional experience
is broad-based and extensive. I've managed staff, administered
budgets, developed policies, and worked collaboratively with state,
federal, and tribal officials. This campaign is a continuation of the
work I've done in a 35-year career. I've investigated child welfare
agencies, prosecuted domestic violence and sexual assault,
served on the CEI Community Mental Health Board, worked with
the Michigan Race Equity Coalition, and developed policies to
help stop the over-representation of juveniles in the juvenile justice
system.
I believe that justice, fairness, and equality should not belong to
just one party. I promise to work together to build a system to
reduces crime and provides justice for all.
22. +
Ingham County Sheriff: Eric
Trojanowicz (R)
I am running for Sheriff because I want to make a positive
difference and bring the community and the Sheriff Office
together. Working together is the only way we as a county can
improve our communities.
My top three priorities are as follows:
1. Create a positive change at the Sheriff's Office that incorporates
community involvement.2. Reduce the administration so that I can
increase the road patrol. The Sheriff's Office is too top heavy.3.
Work with the Board of Commissioners. The Sheriff needs to have
an open line of communication with them.
23. +
Ingham County Sheriff: Scoot
Wriggelsworth (D)
I am running for Ingham County Sheriff to protect children, families
and seniors throughout Ingham County. I look forward to building
on my proven track record of fighting crime, and making the
Sheriff's Office even more effective at responding to citizens.
To lead the men and women of the Ingham County Sheriff's Office
in this ever changing and dynamic world of law enforcement,
including corrections.
Challenge our employees to shake the status quo in our
profession and develop new and innovative ideas to keep people
in our county safe. I have a proven track record of doing this at
ELPD, and will challenge members of ICSO to do the same.
24. +
Ingham County Register of Deeds
The duties and responsibilities of the Register of Deeds Office
are established by state law to include recording, indexing and
retaining documents that convey or encumber real estate
located within the County.
Candidates
Derrick Quinney (D)
Gloria G. Richards (R)
25. +
Ingham County Treasurer: Bruce
Little (R)
On the issues: “Ingham County has the second highest
average property tax rate in the State of Michigan. We have a
health care millage which is being used to fund programs in
other counties most notably, we are funding the Livingston
County free dental program, a county which has one of the
lowest millage rates in the state.”
26. +
Ingham County Treasurer: Eric
Schertzing (D)
In my fourth term as Treasurer I have continually worked to
make the office responsive to the needs of the citizens. Early
efforts included Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program
leadership and the Board of Capital Area Community Services -
our local anti-poverty agency. After assuming the responsibility
for the property tax foreclosure process in 2004, in 2005 I lead
the creation of the County Land Bank Authority - the 2nd in
Michigan. Passion, vision, leadership and energy are what I
bring to the effort every day. Working to keep these local
programs responsive to the wants and needs of Ingham County
citizens, I ask for their continued support to make mid-Michigan
a great place to live, work and play.
27. +
Lansing Community College Board
of Trustees
Alex Azima
Ryan Buck
Angela L. Matthews (no website)
Robert E. Proctor (no website)
29. +
Justice of the Supreme Court of
Michigan: Joan Larsen
I am running to retain my seat as Justice of the Michigan
Supreme Court so that I can continue to use my legal training
and experience to serve the people of Michigan. My diverse
legal career has prepared me well to grapple with the high-level
legal questions that confront us on the Michigan Supreme
Court. I believe the people of Michigan want justices who are
evenhanded and who treat litigants, and each other, with civility
and respect.
30. +
Justice of the Supreme Court of
Michigan: Kerry Morgan
To provide the People a way to recover their Constitutional
rights and freedoms through the judiciary.
The government's only compelling interest is in the security of
individual rights and freedoms. The Supreme Court's job is to
secure our rights, not to barter them away to the State of
Michigan or political subdivisions.
31. +
Justice of the Supreme Court of
Michigan: Deborah Thomas
In 1994, Deborah Thomas was elected by the people of Wayne County to serve as a
Judge on the Third Circuit Court, where she has served ever since. Judge Thomas’s
commitment to using whatever tools she has available to her to improve the lives of those
in her community is never ending. On the bench, she has consistently taken a rehabilitative
approach with those who come before her in court, recognizing that a community’s
success is predicated on its leaders’ ability to build pathways to success for its members.
Defendants in her courtroom who do not have a high school diploma often end up getting
“sentenced” to complete their GED as opposed to more traditional, retributive, “tough on
crime” sentences often handed out by other judges.
While on the bench, Judge Thomas started the largest Veterans Treatment Court in the
State of Michigan, which is currently used as a model for other similar courts. She has also
begun a Restorative Justice program in the Wayne County Circuit Court. Due in large part
to her efforts, the state’s first toll-free Domestic Violence hotline was created.
In addition to her service on the court, Judge Thomas organizes and attends bi-weekly
forums across the state of Michigan to educate the public on the legal issues of importance
to that community. She regularly speaks on subjects ranging from human trafficking, how
to deal with the police, how to restore one’s driver’s license, domestic violence, criminal
record expungement, and many others at her own personal expense.
32. +
Justice of the Supreme Court of
Michigan: Frank Szymanski
It is imperative that our Supreme Court be free of special
interest influence. As a Judge in the Juvenile Court, in Detroit
for the last 10 years, I have worked with some of the poorest
and most vulnerable young people and families in our
community. I love my work because I see it as an opportunity to
make a difference. I have started a number of community
initiatives, 1) GNG (Guitars Not Guns), (volunteers teach at risk
at youth to play guitar); 2) KKIS (Keep Kids In School) students
thrive when school discipline policies value class time and
suspensions are used as last option rather than a first option
33. +
Justice of the Supreme Court of
Michigan: David Viviano
I am seeking reelection to the Michigan Supreme Court
because I believe I can continue to be a powerful voice for the
rule of law in this state. I believe that a judiciary that adheres to
the rule of law, interpreting and applying the law according to
the lawmakers’ intent and not the judge’s own policy
preferences, is the fairest legal system because it provides a
principled and predictable basis for settling disputes. I am also
a proponent of technological innovations in our court system,
including the recent expansion of videoconferencing technology
in our courts, which has saved Michigan taxpayers over $14
million.
34. +
Justice of the Supreme Court of
Michigan: Doug Dern
No Statement or Info
35. +
Local Boards of Education
East Lansing Public Schools
Robert Clark
Mike Conlin
Kate Edsall
Erin Graham
Kyle Guerrant
Hillary Henderson
Nichole Martin
http://www.eastlansinginfo.or
g/content/school-board-race-
update
Lansing Public Schools
Mark Eagle
Amy Hodgin
Ronald L. Holley
Gabrielle Johnson
Melissa Lilje
Stephen Purchase
http://www.mlive.com/lansing-
news/index.ssf/2011/10/lansi
ng_school_board_candidate.
html
36. + Proposition: Ingham County, Potter Park Zoo &
Potter Park, Millage Renewal Question
For the sole purpose of renewing for the continued operation of
the Potter Park Zoo and Potter Park, including funding for
operations, maintenance, and improvements, shall the
Constitutional limitation upon the total amount of taxes which
maybe assessed in one (1) year upon all property within the
County of Ingham, Michigan, be renewed at up to 0.41 mill,
$0.41 per thousand dollars of state taxable valuation, for a
period of five (5) years (2016-2020) inclusive?
If approved and levied in full, this millage will raise in the first
calendar year of the levy an estimated $2,799,104 for
operations, maintenance, and improvements for Potter Park
Zoo and Potter Park.