Four Republicans and one Democrat are on the Aug. 2 ballot in Michigan’s 36th District.
Steve Carra, Jack Coleman, Scott McGraw and Jerry Solis are seeking Republican support to move to the Nov. 8 general election. They will be opposed on the ballot by Roger Williams, who is unopposed in the primary elections.
This position is currently held by Steve Carr. Carra announced last year that he would seek the District 6 Congressional seat in this year’s midterm elections. However, due to the recent redistricting that took effect this spring, he no longer lives within the new district boundaries and has filed to run for his current seat in the redrawn 36th District.
Carra is the current state representative in Lansing for St. Louis County. Joseph and Cass for the past two years and is asking voters for their continued support.
During his 2020 campaign, Carra said, “I claimed to be the most conservative, experienced and qualified candidate and, during my current term, I have proven that. Like many of you, I am tired of the politics of ‘getting along’ … As the radical left continues to destroy our country, we need brave conservative fighters to stand up to government interference and tyranny. Mandates, intimidation and coercion have no place in our Constitutional Republic.
Carra said he fully supports the US Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade, which has been in effect since 1973.
“I applaud the Supreme Court for overturning the outrageous decision in Roe v. Wade that had no basis in the US Constitution,” Carra said. “Playing a role in helping to overturn Roe v. Wade will forever be the highlight of my political career. After leading the nation’s second-largest legislative filing in support of the Dobbs case that overturned Roe v. Wade, which was signed by 320 state legislators from 35 states, is proof of my efforts in favor of life.”
As a pro-life activist, Carra said, “I was one of six legislators in the country to receive the ‘2022 Pro-Life Champion Award’ from Students for Life. The passing of Roe was a huge victory for pre-birth and it was It is an honor to play a key role in this victory.”
However, Carra said, “there is still work to be done in the fight for effective pro-life legislation,” which he said he is working on by sponsoring House Bill 6270, the Conception Protection Act.
“I look forward to continuing to fight for the defense of the defenseless and for the sanctity of human life here in Michigan,” Carra said.
Carra said he will also fight to reduce government interference in residents’ lives.
“I strongly vote against bills that increase the cost of government to taxpayers and recklessly expand the budget,” he said. “We already have enough rules, regulations, taxes, fines and fees; we don’t need more, we need less. We need a business environment for everyone, where the government doesn’t pick winners and losers.”
Last year, Carra said, “we voted on 740 bills and I didn’t vote more than anyone else — 270 times — despite the Republican leadership deciding what was going to be voted on. With 270 votes against, I proved that I’m not ‘yes.’ special interest groups. Too many politicians succumb to political pressure, the fact that I don’t is why I’m known as the most conservative Republican in Michigan.”
Carra said he was not “bought and paid for” in the political environment.
“I am willing and able to expose the corrupt system as I continuously fight to restore our Constitutional Republic,” he said. “I will continue to fight for the sanctity of life, your right to keep and bear arms, safe and secure elections, for taxpayers’ money to be spent wisely and fairly, and for your voice to be heard.”
Carra said if re-elected, he will continue to make positive changes in Lansing.
“I have proven that I will stay true to my word by explaining how I vote for each bill, posting my explanations on Facebook and on my official state representative website,” Carra said. “Holding monthly office hours in both St. Joseph and Cass counties makes me transparent and approachable. As a proven conservative fighter with a track record of fighting the status quo and corruption in Lansing, I have received the endorsement of President Donald Trump and Senator Rand Paul. I have proven time and time again that I will not run away from difficult battles.”
Coleman served 20 years in the US Navy and retired as an Air Traffic Controller. He has served on the Park Borough Planning Commission and is currently the St. Louis County Road Commissioner. Joseph and a member of the Park Borough Board of Review. He was also employed in the private sector as a pilot and flight instructor.
Coleman, a husband and father, said he has many qualifications to serve as the district’s next representative.
“My background offers knowledge of operating budgets, coordination with various government agencies, and I am extremely aware of government operations and the pitfalls that can and will arise,” he said. “It’s hard as a state to live up to our potential without good money management. I see that as one of several areas where we need to improve. It affects our county when it comes to funding like roads and bridges for example.”
One of the concerns Coleman said he will address as a state representative is infrastructure spending.
“We hear a lot about spending on infrastructure, we pay high taxes at the pumps, but we don’t see the results on our local roads and bridges,” he said. “The way the government manages infrastructure money, too little of it goes where it’s needed most, to local road agencies. It’s impossible to have a healthy economy without infrastructure to support it. This is one of the areas I will try to make a positive impact in our government.”
Coleman said there are several other situations that, when addressed, will make for a stronger district.
“There is a shortage of paramedics and ambulances,” he said. “There are several reasons that contribute to the shortage. One of them is the pay for these positions. The pay is not competitive for the responsibility, the difficulty, the training requirements and the schedule.”
Nationally and statewide, he said, “there’s a housing shortage, including in our county. It costs more to build and maintain multifamily housing, like condos, than people can afford to rent. Additionally, there’s a shortage of entry-level homes for younger people who starting their careers and families. Senior citizens interested in downsizing have few options available. If we could have more options available to our seniors, it would increase the availability of homes in our area, as one of many solutions.
Property taxes also make housing less affordable, Coleman said.
“I think that when our seniors reach retirement age, there should be a property tax freeze at the very least. Too many seniors on fixed incomes are being taxed out of their homes. There are currently options available to help people in financial difficulty, but, in my opinion, they don’t go far enough.”
Coleman said he will be a state representative thinking about the issues in the 36th District area: “focusing primarily on representing you, our friends and neighbors, and working with our federal representatives, when necessary, to improve our District and the State.
We are going through a difficult period in our country and state. If history has proven one thing to be true, it is; We always went through difficult periods and learned, became wiser, stronger and better. I know we will get better.
I will be a state representative with vision and common sense because I hope you see, as I do, a bright and prosperous future for Michigan and our district.
“I look forward to the opportunity to serve (residents) in strengthening our district and state.
McGraw was born and raised in southwest Michigan and attended college at Western Michigan University.
McGraw said that as a small business owner, husband and father, he has a strong interest in the community and has “fought conservative causes in Southwest Michigan all his life.”
McGraw said he has five core values of his conservative Christian philosophy: Pro-Life, Pro-Gun, Pro-Family, Pro-Business and Pro-police.
“I’m very pleased with the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade,” McGraw said. “Every life is precious. I will support laws and initiatives that will work towards a society that values and encourages life at all levels; from conception to natural death.”
As a small business owner with deep ties to Southwest Michigan’s economy, McGraw said, “I understand the impact inflation has on our communities and I will fight to reduce the tax burden on businesses and families.”
McGraw said he is “a proud Christian and lifelong conservative whose faith will guide my decisions.”
“I’m a dedicated Republican leader who has worked tirelessly to elect President Donald Trump and conservative candidates across Southwest Michigan, he said. “As a father of three and a big supporter of schools, I’m frustrated with the gender indoctrination that’s going on. Our schools should be focused on teaching reading and math, not introducing them to drag queens.”
Law enforcement is a fundamental responsibility of government, McGraw said.
“When we don’t enforce the laws, our society falls apart,” he said. “Our police force protects us all. That requires respect and support. I will stand with our law enforcement community and support all their efforts.”
When it comes to fighting for community interests, McGraw said he believes in lower taxes and more government freedom.
“With limited government, individual responsibility and economic freedom, we will see more jobs, more opportunity and a brighter future for everyone,” he said.
Open communication is the key to good public service, according to McGraw.
“I’ll have an open door and I’m willing to listen,” he said. “I want to work with (all members) to create effective policies that support businesses and families in Michigan. I am the candidate in this race who represents the values of this organization, I will work hard, raise money and win in August.
“I look forward to working with (residents) in Lansing,” McGraw said.
Solis, the pastor from Three Rivers, said his interest in running for the state seat “is to see conservative Christian values put back into government, schools and the public square.”
“I don’t believe that communism, socialism, comprehensive sex education or the breakdown of the family unit are the problem,” Solis said. “All of this reflects and is the product of a problem. The problem is that we have moved away from the US Constitution as our anchor that holds us to the founding decisions made years ago. It should also be the compass by which to make future decisions.”
Second, Solis said, “I believe we’ve just rejected it from the source of the Constitution and we’ve neglected and rejected God. When I say God, I’m talking about Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior who inspired our Constitution.”
Solis said he believes the country’s greatest natural resources are children.
“I’m in favor of getting our education system back to quality education, not indoctrination,” Solis said. “Our children must be educated in an environment in accordance with traditional family values.”
Solis said he “has spoken at school board meetings defending and promoting conservative values and will continue to do so” at the state level as a representative.
“I also believe that we need to work hard on deregulation for farmers; not only to lower our taxes, but to eliminate income taxes and property taxes for the people of this great state,” Solis said.
Solis said he believes in life “from the womb to the grave and is grateful for the June 24 U.S. Supreme Court, which Solis called “an appropriate and courageous decision by our Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade.
“Abortion is an abomination that our country has invested in for too long and it needs to be stopped,” he said.
“I will work endlessly to promote life at every level,” Solis said.
