Carol L. Higgins, District 59

Democrat

61 years old

Mendon

Education

• Vicksburg High School 1972

• Nazareth College (bachelor’s) 1987

• Western Michigan University (master’s) 1992

Professional Background

• Partner, Maple Shade Farms, 1972-1984

• Marcellus Public School Teacher, 1988-2004 (also middle school coach, union president, contract negotiator)

• Co-owner/operator of Arrowhead Cove Bed and Breakfast 2005-2013

• Substitute teacher, 2009 to present

Political experience

• Chair of the St. Joseph County Conservation District, 2011 to present

Civic involvement

• Member of Mendon Area Community Council

• St. Joseph County Solid Waste Committee

• SW Michigan Land Conservancy

• Sierra Club agriculture committee

• National Farmer’s Union climate champion, church choir and Earth Care Committee

What will be your top priority if elected to office? 

Reduce the influence of money in Michigan politics restore opportunities for citizen-initiated referendums. I would seek to reduce allowable contributions from lobbyists/PACs, limit the amount of time and money allowed in each campaign cycle and make it easier for citizen groups to collect signatures to put issues on the ballot.

What makes you the best candidate for the job? 

I am able to use research effectively to solve problems dedicated to protecting the rights of all citizens, including the LGBT community, able to see both sides of an issue as a seasoned environmentalist and farmer, and am anxious to find ways to help small business owners and poverty-wage workers.

What professional/political accomplishments are you most proud of in your life?

Under my leadership, the Conservation District has expanded programs and improved its financial position. I have successfully petitioned school boards to increase substitute teacher pay that had been stagnant for 20 years. As union president, I successfully resolved the positions of teachers and administrators to reach a contract settlement.

What is the biggest challenge our region faces? How would you address it?

Our biggest challenge is removing obstacles that prevent residents from obtaining dependable work. Needed are CTE programs in schools, base pay support for small businesses, affordable day care, affordable college tuition, a program to accept medical marijuana users in the workforce and paid, family leave provisions.

Other comments 

The Republican-controlled legislature has increased the gap between rich and poor.  It failed to protect Flint citizens from lead and failed to improve education under emergency managers in Detroit. It has limited the ability of citizens to collect signatures for ballot initiatives and enacted legislation to overturn citizen-approved referendums. It approved funds for private schools, which is constitutionally prohibited.

 

Aaron Miller, District 59

Republican

29-years-old

Sturgis

 

Education 

• Sturgis High School, 2006

• Western Michigan University, 2010 (bachelor’s in secondary education; political science, social studies, mathematics)

• Bethel College, 2014 (master’s in school administration)

Professional Background 

• Teacher, 2011-2014

Political experience 

• State representative (2015-present)

• Member, St. Joseph and Cass County Republican Party

• Former executive board member of the WMU College Republicans

Civic involvement 

• Member, Grace Christian Fellowship Sturgis

• Frequent announcer, Centreville High School

• Member, St. Joseph County Conservation Club

What will be your top priority if elected to office?

My top priority if elected will be serving the constituents of this district fairly and diligently.

What makes you the best candidate for the job? 

I work hard, I do my homework on the issues and I communicate well with people. I have fulfilled this role in the last two years so as to demonstrate my ability to it well for two more years.

What professional/political accomplishments are you most proud of in your life?

I’m proudest of the individual students I was able to help during my years spent teaching.  If I can help a child understand a mathematical algorithm better and see his or her eyes light up, that makes all of the work worth it.

What is the biggest challenge our region faces? How would you address it? 

Our single biggest problem as a region is how much we pay for auto insurance. An honest conversation must be had about how rich our unlimited care is in Michigan and how it can be limited in ways to keep care adequate while reducing costs for Michiganders.