Despite the results of the Aug. 8 primary election, Andrew Goss of Independence Township said he plans to run for Republican nomination for State Representative for the 44th district in 2008.
The final results show 28-year-old Goss behind incumbent John Stakoe, who heads into the November election opposing democratic nominee Mark Venie.
Stakoe will be term-limited in 2008. Goss expects that crop of candidates to lead a more competitive race.
Goss is determined to raise more money for the next campaign, a sum estimated near $100,000 over the course of the next 20 months.
‘It’s very difficult to do a grassroots campaign,? Goss said. ‘It’s unfortunate that money is a political reality.?
He said he is not interested in getting involved with special interest groups to get the money either.
‘I’m bucking a very established system,? Goss said. ‘Hard working people who work 50-60 hours a week like me, that’s who I know,? Goss said.
Goss, a 1996 Clarkston High School graduate, said he learned some things throughout his campaign and said he was only able to execute 5 to 7 percent of his game plan.
During door-to-door visits, Goss said he found that typically only 1 in 5 households had someone home during his visits.
‘You’ve got to find other means,? he said.
One tool he utilized was the Internet.
‘The power of it surprised me,? Goss said. ‘People are really going out and looking.?
Goss said he found residents of Clarkston also have a challenge dealing with economic hardships, not only people of a younger generation, but seniors are worried about financial uncertainties.
He noted many families are dealing with their children being gone from the state, having left for better job prospects.
‘Think about how that affects the families, not seeing those kids,? Goss said.
Goss, a father of five, said people need to understand taxes and unemployment, which will affect not only his generation, but his children as well.
‘As you get older you think, ‘What about my kids?? Their future is my concern.?
Goss said he wants to change politician’s priorities if he wins the representative position including making education a top concern and forcing others to make decisions on the issues.
‘Dove hunting is not a priority,? and it should be far down on the list, Goss said.
Goss is currently enrolled at Oakland Community College finishing coursework for a degree in computer information systems. He plans to transfer to Walsh College of Business afterward.
Goss said he enjoys crunching the numbers and analyzing statistics.
‘Numbers reveal a lot of cool things. When you start doing that, you see a lot of cool things,? he stated.
Goss noticed a big mistake in the city of Pontiac’s budget in 2001, where he said the city misrepresented its numbers in the budget and was not as financially well off as city leaders planned. He went before the city council after learning that and the board laughed him off.
‘I’m not one of those people who just believe what they’re told,? Goss said.
That is one of the personality traits that got him into politics. He said he has been interested since childhood. He said he was bothered when he saw that solutions were not being made for problems.
To read more about Goss and others? opinions about today’s political issues, visit www.clarkstonnews.com.