By By ANDY HAMILTON / Niles Daily Star
BUCHANAN - Michigan's 78 district has a new Republican running for office. Bruce Hipshear of Buchanan has announced he will challenge Rep. Neal Nitz (R-Baroda) in the August 8 primary for a seat in the House of Representatives.
Specifically, Hipshear said regulations on landfills need to be evaluated. He said he was particularly concerned with two local sites in Buchanan and Three Oaks.
He also pointed to educational funding as an area needing more attention.
Hipshear said the amount of funding for education seems to increase during elections, but is cut-back during non-election years.
If elected, Hiphsear said he would form a bipartisan committee and invite experts, such as superintendents and principals, to provide necessary feedback on funding.
Hipshear is a life-long resident of the Buchanan area. He graduated from Buchanan High School in 1981 and has been employed in the office equipment industry for 23 years.
Hipshear has coached Buchanan High School's men's and women's cross country teams for the past 12 years and has also been involved with the Optimist Soccer League and the Jr. Bucks basketball league.
He and his wife, Sue, also a Buchanan High graduate, have been married for 23 years. The couple has two daughters. Tabatha is a sophomore at Buchanan High and Chelsea is in sixth grade at Buchanan Middle School.
Hipshear said he made his original public announcement at the First United Methodist Church in Buchanan, where he and his family attend.
His official announcement came at the Monday, Feb. 27 City Commission meeting, Hipshear said.
Michigan primary elections are on Aug. 8. The state's general election is Nov. 7.