GLADSTONE, Mich. (WZMQ) – The voters in Michigan’s 108th House district had a chance to hear directly from candidates Thursday night during a forum in Gladstone as the race to succeed state representative Dave Preston continues. Prestin is not running for reelection in the 108th, choosing instead to throw his hat in the ring for the state’s 38th state senate seat as Senator Ed McBroom reaches his term limit.
The candidates in attendance were Menominee City Mayor Casey Hoffman, Mid-Pen School Teacher Chris Reynolds, Menominee County Commissioner Larry Johnson, Mackinac County Commissioner Darryl Schroeder (via video call), and Gladstone school employee Steve Viau. Candidate Kurt Perron was not in attendance.
Representative Prestin did have some advice for the candidates. “Healthcare, mental health, energy, and the economy are the top things that we face. Energy is probably number one, because without affordable, abundant energy, we lose everything else,” said Prestin.
The forum, hosted by the Delta County and Menominee County Republican parties, allowed voters to compare the candidates side by side ahead of the August 4 primary.
Here are some of their closing statements. “I want to tell Lansing to get it together, and we need to take care of ourselves. We need more local control, and I want to tell Lansing that myself,” said Reynolds. “Making it easier for businesses to do business, making it easier for businesses to expand into the area,” said Johnson. “Listening is probably one of the most important things any representative can do, and respecting your constituents, regardless of whether you agree with them or not,” said Viau. “I would introduce that amendment to make Michigan a constitutional carry state and to eliminate taxes on our firearms,” said Hoffman. “I do also promise to also work with all the legislators in the UP, as well as, as well as other folks, so that we stick together in the UP and really fight together,” said Schroeder.
The republican primary is scheduled for August 4th, with the winner advancing to November’s general election, where they will likely face the only democrat in the race so far, Rachel Keys of the Bay Mills Indian community.
