A pair of candidates are running for the representative seat in the 52nd District of the state legislature as part of the Nov. 8 general election.
Current State Rep. Mike Harris is being contested by Robin McGregor.
The Clarkston News sent both candidates the same questionnaire, and here is how each responded, in alphabetical order.

MIKE HARRIS
Age: 49
Family: Wife Jennifer and six children
Work Experience/Profession: Currently, I serve as your 43rd District state representative. Redistricting has changed this district to the 52nd for the upcoming election and will include Clarkston, Independence Township, portions of Waterford, Springfield Township, and Lake Angelus. I have been appointed by the speaker to serve on the House Committees on Transportation, Insurance, Energy, and Rules & Competitiveness.
After a distinguished 25-year career with the Waterford Township Police Department, I retired as a sergeant in March of 2021. I served as the former union president for both the Waterford Township Police Officer’s Association and the Association of Waterford Police Supervisors, former chairperson for the Waterford Coalition for Youth, former vice-president of the Michigan Association of Police, and current member of the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police, Fraternal Order of Police, Sons of the American Legion, Waterford Area Chamber of Commerce, Clarkston Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Michigan Coalition of Responsible Gun Owners. I have also been a small business owner in the district since 1997.
How long have you lived in Clarkston? We lived in Clarkston from 2012-22. My family and I just moved to Waterford in September.
How long have you lived in the district? We have resided in the district continuously since 2009 and for several years in the 1990s. My wife was born and raised in the district.
Q: Why are you running for state representative?
A: I’m passionate about making Michigan a safer place to raise your family. As you current state rep and a former police officer in our community, I’ve spent decades of my life serving the people and protecting the most vulnerable. Now, I want to continue my fight in Lansing and protect you and your families, keep our laws against criminals strong, fight government overreach, continue to uphold my oath to support the Constitution, and support you and your family’s right to pursue the American dream.
Q: What’s your No. 1 issue facing the district?
A: I have talked with hundreds, if not thousands of constituents this year. There are so many passionate issues faced by the people of this district, but by far the top is local economy. I have always said that supporting our local economy will bolster Michigan’s economic stability. Gainful employment and putting food on the table is a focus for all of us. I voted to provide much-needed tax relief for people in our community as they deal with rising costs. Our plan would have provided billions in tax savings for workers, families, veterans and retirees, as well as temporarily suspending the gas tax. Unfortunately, the plan was vetoed by the governor. My voting record and stances have encouraged endorsements from organizations such as the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, Small Business Association of Michigan, National Federation of Independent Business, Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association, and Michigan Realtors, to name a few.
Q: What’s the No. 1 issue facing the state?
A: The No. 1 state issue mirrors local and federal concerns…the economy. People are concerned about the stability of Michigan. Looking at the big picture for Michigan is our key to success. Workforce readiness, shovel ready projects for enticing businesses to invest in Michigan, maintaining infrastructure (including Line 5), supporting small business, working across the aisle to find ways to keep our state at the forefront of manufacturing and innovations are ways to stabilize Michigan’s economy. Michigan Manufacturers Association, LiUNA, Associated Builders and Contractors, Farm Bureau, Corn Growers Association, and the above listed organizations have endorsed me for fighting to improve conditions in Michigan.

ROBIN McGREGOR
Age: 62
Family: I have been married to my husband Rudie McGregor for 40 years. He is a retired auto worker. We have two daughters, Elizabeth McGregor, who is an engineer in the auto industry, and Dr. Alexandra McGregor, who is a cancer researcher.
Work Experience/Profession: I currently work as a cathodic specialist for a utility company. This means that I use electrical and material properties knowledge to make sure that pipes don’t corrode and leak. It also means that when there is the potential for a gas explosion, there are times when I am out with the firefighters working to prevent that explosion.
While I have worked for a utility company in various roles for 31 years, I have also owned my own business, McGregor’s Maid Service, and I served on the Waterford Board of Education between 2009 and 2014.
How long have you lived in Clarkston? I have never lived in Clarkston. However, my in-laws, Bob and Barb McGregor, lived in Clarkston for 25 years. My husband and I also have many friends that live in Clarkston, and we visit them as well as businesses often.
How long have you lived in the district? I have lived in Waterford since 1971 when I moved here as a child. My husband and I raised our children here and actively volunteer in the community.
Q: Why are you running for state representative?
A: I am very passionate about my community! I have served my community by volunteering and leading throughout my entire life. I have even been awarded the Rotary Changemaker Award, the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Patriot Award for my work with young people, veterans, and for leading a group that got the Waterford landfill shut down when it was leaching toxic chemicals into the groundwater. However, seeing how our country has changed over the last few years, this did not seem like enough. I decided that I needed to run for office. I want to bring people together again and I will work hard to build a strong safe community with opportunities for everyone. I have to lead by example for the young people in our community so that they know how to treat others and how to be a responsible member of their community.
Q: What’s your No. 1 issue facing the district?
A: Providing our kids with the skill sets they will need to thrive and to deliver the business community with the best employees is critical. Currently, our schools are well funded, but this is due, in part, to the excess COVID funds that schools have received. Clarkston schools did a great job of using this money and their test scores increased as a result. As this money dries up, it is likely that most school districts will struggle, and some will go bankrupt. This is especially concerning as there are multiple bills currently in the legislature that would take money away from public schools. As a former board of education treasurer, I know how important it is to have stable funding for our schools. While I am fiscally conservative, I believe that education is a place that deserves good funding and if elected I will fight to keep our schools properly funded.
Q: What’s the No. 1 issue issue facing the state?
A: People are concerned about education, taxes, crime, inflation, and the overturning of Roe. With the inflation issues, we should move quickly to reduce certain tax burdens like the unnecessary senior pension tax. Recruiting and retaining law enforcement and other public safety officers can much be improved and funded appropriately. However, stricter laws are required to battle the gun violence issues. Additionally, at the forefront is a human rights issue, a woman’s right to choose. When Roe was overturned, many questions were turned over to the state, like making decisions for our own bodies, the legality of contraception, marriage equality, and prescription care. I believe that we need to allow people to make decisions about their own bodies and their marriages. We also should not be removing prescription care for rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile arthritis, lupus, and etc., just because these medications are also used in high doses for ectopic pregnancies.