State representative candidate John Bippus kicked off his campaign Friday in Cassopolis at the Holden Green Tavern. (Leader photo/SCOTT NOVAK)

Not being from Cass County, Republican candidate for State Representative of the 59th District John Bippus decided to kick off his campaign in Cassopolis Friday.

His kickoff was held at the Holden Green Tavern.

Bippus is no stranger to government at the local level. He is currently the chair of the St. Joseph County Road Commission, President of Michigan Guardianship Association and a member of the Glen Oaks Community College Board of Trustees.

He is the former chair of the St. Joseph County Board of Commissioners, former chair of the St. Joseph, Branch and Hillsdale Health Agency and former three-term member of the Three Rivers city commission and mayor pro-tem.

A realtor by profession, Bippus is the past president and current member of the St. Joseph County Realtors Association.

Bippus always knew that he would run for state office, he just didn’t know when that would be. His attendance at Boys State 40 years ago fueled the fire of wanting to serve.

“It was put on by the American Legion and was a week-long leadership and citizenship program,” Bippus said. “We studied state government and ran mock elections to learn about it. Looking back, I was really inspired to get into public service. So running for state representative is something I knew I wanted to do for 40 years. It is just an extension of public service. I am community leader, not a politician.”

Nearly a decade later, he would begin his journey toward becoming a state representative at the local, and then, the county level.

Two of the biggest items he would like to address if elected stem from his background — roads and education.

He is a firm believer in the community college system and being on the road commission, he knows first hand how bad the problem is.

“I really have a good feel for some of the big issues coming up now,” Bippus said. “I have a depth of experience having dealt with roads for several years now and I have a depth of experience with community colleges. I see that partnership between community colleges and high schools needs strengthen. Community colleges need to take the lead role in career training primarily because of the cost of equipment and resources needed to do it.”

You can find out more about Bippus at www.johnbippus.com.