This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at C Mich chapter.

GOVERNOR

BILL SCHUETTE — REPUBLICAN

RUNNING MATE: LISA POSTHUMUS LYONS — REPUBLICAN

Bill Schuette is a Republican from Midland, Michigan, running for Governor. His platform is based on making Michigan a “jobs state” by cutting taxes, including the pension tax, and promoting both colleges and trades. He proposes to give transportation scholarships to students who go to school in subpar districts, creating school of choice. Schuette also plans to review the infrastructure budget to revamp it top to bottom, which could include cuts on auto insurance. He wants to implement legislation that limits opioid prescriptions and create an education program to combat the opioid crisis. Bill Schuette is endorsed by the NRA, President Donald Trump, and Vice President Mike Pence.

GRETCHEN WHITMER — DEMOCRATIC

RUNNING MATE: GARLIN D. GILCHRIST II — DEMOCRAT

Gretchen Whitmer is a Democrat from Lansing. Whitmer’s platform includes upgrading Michigan roads, bridges, and water systems, including a New Soo Lock. She wants to improve water systems across Michigan, especially in the city of Flint, by replacing lead piping, sewer systems, and creating a position within the government that investigates all hazardous water claims. Whitmer would restore funding to Planned Parenthood. She would create new lobbying rules, including a five-year cooling off period in which legislators are not allowed to endorse other legislatures to collect large sums of money. Whitmer also would extend the Freedom of Information Act to the governor’s office and legislature, as Michigan is one of only two states that does not already have this measure in place. Whitmer is endorsed by Joe Biden, Debbie Stabenow, and Gary Peters.

BILL GELINEAU — LIBERTARIAN

RUNNING MATE: ANGELIQUE CHAISER THOMAS– LIBERTARIAN

Libertarian candidate Bill Gelineau proposes Detrexit, the separation of Wayne County into two counties. The split is aimed at dividing the assets and debt equitably to rebuild the city of Detroit. Gelineau also stands for MI- Way Forward, an assistance incentive program that benefits individual women who are dependents on public assistance that delay their first pregnancy. The program aims to reduce long-term expenses from other programs such as Medicaid and Social Welfare. Gelineau is for the legalization of marijuana and is also a supporter of assisted suicide.

TODD SCHLEIGER — U.S. TAXPAYERS

RUNNING MATE — EARL P. LACKIE — CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICAN

Tom Schleiger is campaigning on the promise to bring 500,000 new jobs to Michigan in the next four years as governor. He would end corruption in our courts and legal system, and shrink our state government and its spending with the goal of efficiency. His plan to reduce taxes for citizens of Michigan also includes an elimination on personal property taxes on primary residence only. He believes in full disclosure on all funding and spending and will hold monthly fireside chats with the people of Michigan, keeping lines of communication open.

JENNIFER V. KURLAND — GREEN PARTY

RUNNING MATE: CHARIN H. DAVENPORT — GREEN PARTY

Jennifer Kurland is the candidate for the Green Party. Her platform is based full lead pipe replacement in the city of Flint, a comprehensive sexual education class addressing consent, and free tuition at public college and universities. Kurland is for the legalization of marijuana and wants prison reform, including keeping non-violent offenders out of prison as often as possible. She would increase the minimum wage to $15-hour and have a permanent cost of living adjustment in the future.

SECRETARY OF STATE

Mary Treder Lang — Republican

Mary Treder Lang is the republican candidate running on three main principles: security, optimization and stability. She would fight cyber threats by recruiting poll workers with computer experience, ensuring fair elections. Lang wants to improve the art of election training and modernize technology to save taxpayer money. She would reduce waiting times at branch offices by increasing online services for the Secretary of State, including an app and self serve kiosks.

JOCELYN BENSON — DEMOCRAT

Jocelyn Benson, Democrat, is campaigning on a 30 minute guarantee at the secretary of state for renewals of driver’s license, registration for vehicles, or to cast a ballot. Benson would toughen penalties for those who commit election fraud. She would open up voting rights to ensure absentee ballot regardless of reasoning. Benson is endorsed by former VP Joe Biden, the Detroit Free Press, and former U.S. Senator Carl Levin.

GREGORY SCOTT STEMPFLE — LIBERTARIAN

Gregory Scott is campaigning on the platform of runoff voting. This election reform is used when there are races with more than two candidates. Rather than vote for one candidate, voters would rank candidates, if no one receives the majority of the vote, the last candidate is dropped and the voters repeat the process until a candidate receives a majority of support. Further, Scott endorses absentee ballot for any reason, automatic voter registration, same day voter registration, and opposes Voter ID laws unless state provides free cards.

ROBERT GALE — U.S. TAXPAYERS

Robert Gale is a self employed Sterling Heights businessman. He is campaigning on putting money back in people’s pockets by privatizing the system, including having a private company run state elections. I’m not here to do what’s popular,” he said. “I’m a taxpayer, not a politician.”

ATTORNEY GENERAL

TOM LEONARD — REPUBLICAN

Tom Leonard, Republican, has a platform focusing on ending elder abuse, creating a mental health court, continual crackdown on offenders of sexual assault, and is focused on ending the opioid crisis with compassion and care.

DANA NESSEL — DEMOCRATIC

Dana Nessel as attorney general would stand for prosecution of hate crimes and discrimination, protecting women’s rights, and defending immigrants from federal overreach. She would fight to shut down pipelines that threaten the Great Lakes. She is for the legalization of marijuana. She is also an advocate for senior citizens promoting wellness checks on assisted care facilities to ensure unsafe facilities have license revoked, and would prosecute cases of Medicaid fraud.

SENATORS

JOHN JAMES — REPUBLICAN

John James is a Republican running for Michigan senate seat. His campaign promises include fighting for limited government, defunding “sanctuary” cities of illegal immigrants, a balanced budget, and entitlement program reform. James stands for the military, second amendment, and is pro-life. He also is interested in protecting and preserving social security for generations to come.

DEBBIE STABENOW — DEMOCRAT

Debbie Stabenow is a Democrat running for senate with a platform that includes standing up to big pharma and their practice of heightened prescription prices for profit, a new jobs training program to help students of all walks find their path after graduation, and affordable healthcare for families and veterans. Stabenow wants to close loopholes that send jobs overseas and keep jobs here in America. She supports debt free college through The Red Act, a comprehensive plan that includes two years of community college free, and allows borrowers to refinance.

GEORGE E. HUFFMAN — U.S. TAXPAYERS

Senate candidate George Huffman of the U.S. Taxpayers party is running to guarantee every Michigan citizen in good standing to have the right to vote. He also would abolish term limits on state legislature and incorporate approval voting to state elections. “Under approval voting in multi-candidate, single-winner elections voters are allowed to give one vote each to that candidate or candidates they support with the candidate having the most votes winning.”

MARCIA SQUIER — GREEN PARTY

Senate candidate Marcia Squier, Green Party, plans on fighting several Acts of Congress if elected to office. She would fight to end the War on Drugs by legalizing marijuana and hemp at the Federal Level. She would reallocate funds within the Federal Budget from military spending towards ventures like health care and education.

REPRESENTATIVE IN CONGRESS (4th district)

JOHN MOOLENAAR — REPUBLICAN

John Moolenaar is running for the seat of 4th the district of Michigan in Congress. Moolenaar stands for lowering spending in order to have a balanced budget. He is a supporter of No Child Left Behind, and wants to repeal the Affordable Care Act. He is pro-life, pro second-amendment, and also for tax reform.

JERRY HILLARD — DEMOCRAT

Jerry HIllard, Democratic candidate, has a platform based on the middle class. He is focused on common sense gun policy, college debt forgiveness, and health care reform. Rather than Obamacare, Hillard prefers a private market model that gives families more choices and takes the government out of the middle.

Go out and Vote: Part II of your 2018 Michigan Candidates

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