Two sitting state representative and two challengers are running for the Republican nomination for state senator, 12th District, a four-year term, in the Aug. 7 primary.
Mike McCready of Bloomfield Township, 57, has lived in the greater Bloomfield area most of his life, serving as 40th District state representative, Bloomfield Hills City Commission member, and principal at McCready & Associates, a furniture manufacture’s representative, in operations since 1991.
“I am running for the 12th Senate district because I want to continue serving my community and making Michigan a better place to live and raise a family. Michigan has come a long way since the great recession and I want to ensure that our state continues on the path that we are on,” McCready said.
Top issues include getting Oakland County’s road fixed, lower auto insurance rates, and preparing students for the modern workforce.
“The roads are in terrible shape. I support prioritizing existing excess revenue towards infrastructure as well as taking a thorough review of the budget to find additional dollars for road repair. I also support reforming Act 51, the formula used to distribute road repair dollars across Michigan, ensuring Oakland County gets its fair share,” he said.
For years residents have been plagued by ever increase auto insurance rates, he said.
“I support making needed reforms to the system, such as establishing a fraud authority and reducing the amount of uninsured driving, while preserving the benefits our current system provides,” he said.
Too many students are not graduating with the skills needed to be contributing members of our communities, he said.
“I will work to ensure our students are equipped with the skills they need whether they seek higher education from a university, community college or a vocational training center,” he said.
Voters should select him for the 12th Senate District because of his professional and political experience, as well as his dedication to serving the community, he said.
“Also I am the only candidate who has focused on the issue of getting Michigan roads fixed and reducing auto insurance rates from the beginning,” he said.
Vernon Molnar of Auburn Hills, 64, has been a resident of the district for 30 years.
His top issues include fixing the roads, lowering taxes, and building Michigan tourism.
“Our roads need help and I have the professional expertise to provide it. I’d like to get on the transportation committee and get our roads into shape,” Molnar said.
He would also unwind gasoline taxes in Michigan.
“Just make one uniform tax and have it all directed toward roads,” he said. “As far as tourism, there’s just a multitude of things we could do to improve tourism in the Great Lakes. We should just explain it more and get more tourists here.”
Molnar has 30 years of experience in heavy construction, is a supporter of President Donald Trump, and has never been elected to public office, he said.
“I’m not part of the swamp. I’m just somebody new with fresh ideas,” Molnar added.
Jim Tedder of Clarkston, 49, is serving as state representative for District 43 and is an 18 year resident of Senate District 12.
“I am running to make Michigan better for everyone. I’m proud to call Northern Oakland County my home. This is where I was born, where I chose to raise my family, and where I’ve run my small business. There’s still plenty of work to do, but I look forward to continuing to be a proven leader that provides results, “ Tedder said.
His top issues are standing up for taxpayers, fixing roads without raising taxes, and limiting the size of government.
“Government must live within its means, just like families are forced to do. As chair of the House Tax Policy Committee, I have led the fight to repeal the Granholm ‘temporary’ tax increase on hard-working families. I will continue this effort and always look for ways to put money back in taxpayers’ pockets,” he said.
We need to ensure better quality construction and dedicate additional funding to repair our deteriorating roads with money we already have, he said.
“While other politicians try to claim they can’t serve taxpayers and fix our roads, I am demanding we stop the excuses and make the tough decisions,” he said.
He is a small business owner, so he knows the importance of saving money and time.
“I will continue my work to eliminate job-killing regulations and fight any attempt by Lansing bureaucrats to add more burdensome rules on businesses in our community,” he said.
He has had seven bills signed into law during 2017-2018 alone and is always accessible to those he serves.
“I take being a public servant seriously and pride myself on getting results for the communities I serve,” he said. “Northern Oakland County deserves a state senator that follows through on promises and doesn’t just say what they need to get elected. It is my hope voters recognize my record of hard work, transparency and results and give me the opportunity to continue these as their state senator.”
Terry Whitney of Clarkston, 42, has lived in the district for 22.5 years.
“In the fall of 2014, I had dinner after a Republican meeting with our current state representative, Jim Tedder. He flat out said he was against the proposed gas tax hike being discussed. We all know in spring 2015 both of my opponents Jim Tedder and Mike McCready, voted to increase the gas and vehicle taxes,” Whitney said. “I was raised with a simple philosophy, honor your word, and set out to do what you believe is right. I believe all of us in Michigan are overburdened by taxes, and I am tired of seeing our state decline while representatives like Tedder and McCreedy vote for special interests while the rest of us are left to shoulder the burden.”
Top issues include roads and infrastructure; tax relief by abolishing the senior pension tax and income tax, and repealing the 2015 gas and vehicle registration fee hike; auto insurance rates; transparency in government and accounting; and abolishing sanctuary cities and criminally prosecuting those that aid and abet illegal immigrants.
“We are going to properly fund our roads and infrastructure with the estimated $4 billion a year it would take to fund it,” he said. “We are going to audit the states processes for business automation and process efficiency. States such as Texas and Florida have done this saved billions of dollars each year. We are going to cut the horrible pension tax, income tax and repeal the 2015 vehicle registration fee and gas taxes.”
Michigan pays the highest insurance rates in the nation. Whitney would like to adopt policies from Maine, which has the lowest auto insurance in the nation, which rewards good drivers with lower auto insurance fees and criminally prosecutes those who drive uninsured.
“I will author a bill that makes it a felony for any state, or local resource to go to those involved in illegal immigration with mandatory prison sentences and hefty fines,” he said.
Whitney is self-funding his race.
“I am not beholden to any special interest group,” he said. “I am tired of watching my neighbors and community suffer under the abusive tax and spend policies of Lansing. I am tired of the litany of broken promises by career politicians. If people want a business leader with solutions and integrity, one willing to fight for them, then I humbly ask for hiring me for the next four years to solve the problems we all face put upon us by Lansing.”