With the deadline to file for elections passed, two men from area townships plan to run against incumbent John Stakoe for state representative of the 44th District.
According to a candidate list for the August 8 primary election on the Oakland County Web site, Democrat Mark Venie of Davisburg and Andrew Goss of Independence Township are set to challenge Stakoe.
‘For a long time I thought we needed some changes around here. I’ve been supporting other people and thought it was a good time to take it to another level and see what I can do,? said Venie, a technical writer who has not held previous political office.
‘It seems a lot of the work being done is just common sense. I have experience with figuring out problems. That’s what I did for GM? As a writer I took in a lot of technical data and taught it to people. So I think I can handle the legislative process.?
The other candidate, who will have to run against Stakoe in the August primary, is Republican Andrew Goss. The 28-year-old is taking time off college to run.
‘It’s out of frustration. I’m a full-time student for the last couple of years’basically, I was getting ready to graduate and found out all those awesome opportunities I was promised at the beginning are not the ones there at the end,? said Goss.
‘My whole generation is leaving (Michigan) and that’s a problem. We lost a huge generation in the 80’s, we’re losing another one now and that has some serious tax implications for the state.?
While neither of his challengers have held office, Representative Stakoe, of Highland Township, has an extensive political history. He was first elected to the Michigan House in November 2002 and was reelected to a second term in 2004.
‘When I went in in the first place, I went in for the long haul,? said Stakoe. ‘I’ve gotten comfortable in the position and think I’m doing a good job advocating for the district and their residents and the township officials.?
All three men sighted the economy and related topics like unemployment as major issues for the district’s residents.
‘The big issue will be economic. Unemployment and jobs are what people worry about, and rightly so,? said Stakoe.
Venie explained how he feels the governor has some plans ready, but needs more support.
‘I think Governor Granholm has the plan and needs more Democrats in the house to carry out these plans,? said Venie, who also mentioned education, minimum wage, prescription drugs and incoming trash from Ohio and Canada as other important issues.

Andrew Goss
While Goss has not held previous elected office, the 1996 Clarkston High School graduate said he was on the 2001 ballot for Pontiac mayor ? a campaign he felt was more about changing the issues for discussion rather than winning. He also ran for the Pontiac school board in 2002.
Goss and his wife Shakia have been married for seven years and have five children. While attending school he worked as a waiter. His hobbies include reviewing budgets and studying Michigan law during his frequent visits to the Michigan Legislature Web site.

Mark Venie
Venie, a 51-year-old free-lance technical writer and trainer has worked for many of the major automotive companies. His work experience includes developing training programs in the automotive industry
In addition to his technical writing jobs, Venie coaches the Oakland Community College coed soccer club and is an elder at Tri-County Christian Church in Livingston County. He lives at his Springfield Township residence with his wife of nearly 30 years, Jacquie, and their three college-age children. Venie has completed several liberal arts classes through Oakland Community College.

Rep. John Stakoe
Rep. Stakoe and his wife of 26 years Carol have two daughters, Elizabeth and Catherine. He was raised in Dearborn and has been a resident of the Huron Valley area for 27 years.
Prior to his election as state representative, Stakoe served as Highland Township Supervisor for six years and was a Milford police officer for 19. He earned a bachelor’s degree in secondary education in 1975 and a master’s degree in criminology in 1996 from Eastern Michigan University.