Readers will note that our 2022 primary election coverage only includes Republican races. This should not be interpreted as partisanship on the part of Lowell’s First Look, but rather, it reflects the fact that only the Republican primary races are contested. All Democratic candidates in Lowell-area districts are running unopposed.

The questions below were selected to provide you with a broad overview of a candidate’s political philosophy and priorities. We could not possibly cover all the topics and issues that are of interest to voters. Instead, we hope these questions will provide you a base for evaluating your choices, and we encourage you to visit candidate websites and social media pages to learn more about each person.

Representative in Congress — District 2

The core Lowell area — City of Lowell, Lowell Charter Township and Vergennes Township — falls within the new 2nd Congressional District.

Two candidates are vying for the Republican nomination in the 2nd District. The winner will face Democratic candidate Jerry Hilliard in November’s general election.

Candidates are listed in alphabetical order, by last name. Responses have not been edited and are published exactly as provided by each candidate.

John Moolenaar

Campaign address: Midland
Website: https://www.johnmoolenaarforcongress.com/
Social media: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube

Tom Norton

Campaign address: Courtland Township
Website: https://www.tom.gop/
Social media: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube

Why are you running to be a congressman?

Moolenaar: With the Biden Administration and Speaker Pelosi running the country, our economy is in shambles, food and energy prices are at historic highs, your savings lose value every day, there is lawlessness on the southern border, rising crime across the country, and American students left behind by leaders who kept classrooms closed.

I am running for Congress to fight for conservative values including the right to life, the Second Amendment, election integrity, and keeping taxes low so Michigan families keep more of their own money. In Washington, D.C. I will defend our Constitution, fight tax increases and protect the freedoms we enjoy. To this end, I am the only candidate in this race endorsed by President Donald J. Trump, the Michigan and National Right to Life organizations, and the NRA.

Norton: I am tired of my fellow Republicans not having a back bone. I am running as a constitutional Republican because it’s far past time that we restore the American dream. That dream is not a house or a car, that dream is that each generation can propel itself to a higher level. That dream is that each generation can excel on their own merits. The size and spending of our current government is creating a hyperinflation scenario which makes it difficult for kids and ourselves to achieve that dream. Our current members of congress, Republican and Democrat, continue to fail us, Democrats want to fast track destroying America and my fellow Republicans only want to fight them in election years. It’s time we have a real change.

What do you see as the three biggest issues facing the United States, and what specific policy or initiative would you champion to address each one?

Moolenaar: The biggest issue right now, and the one the Democrats in Congress are not doing enough to address, is inflation and gas prices. They have abandoned the policies that were working. Before the pandemic we had low inflation, low unemployment, and affordable energy. Republican policies were responsible for that. Now Democrats have gone in the opposite direction. President Biden came into office and killed a pipeline project on his very first day in office. That sent a very clear signal to oil and gas companies that they should not produce more. His administration has also looked at possibly closing the Line 5 pipeline. That pipeline brings oil and gas through our state and a lot of it is sold to Michigan residents as propane which they use to heat their home. I want to see the Line 5 tunnel move forward, so we can increase the safety of the pipeline. Pipelines are the safest and most efficient way to move oil and gas. I believe we must work toward American energy independence. That means using every possible energy source available to us including oil and gas.

Norton: Energy independence, Spending and Imigration.

First, I want to propose one vote one bill legislation that way do not have bills with crack pipes, sexchanges and legalized bribery occuring with our taxdollars.

Second, push a bill that streamlines refinery construction and oil drilling in order restore our energy independence.

Third, push to put the constitution of the United States back in every classroom and The Pledge of Allegiance placed back in all public schools in order to restore American pride.

Fourth, Real immigration reform with English as a national language so all legal immigrants know the language of business and are able to succeed in order to achieve the american dream just like our grandparents. With this reform we also complete the border wall.

If elected, what issues important to Michigan do you foresee being able to address at the national level?

Moolenaar: If elected, I will fight for energy independence, lower taxes for the middle class, and vital infrastructure for our rural communities including the expansion of rural broadband. I also will fight to protect the rights of parents and educational opportunities for all students. When I was a school administrator, I saw first-hand how empowering parents and students with choices makes a difference in their lives. That’s why I will continue to be a champion of parental involvement and school choice so that a child’s education is in the hands of their parents and not merely a product of their zip code.

Norton: Energy independence and hyper inflation and being able to come back and help Veterans and citizens in our district when the government becomes too overbearing.

As a Republican candidate, what do you think should be the role of former president Donald Trump in the Republican Party today?

Moolenaar: I am proud to be the only candidate in this race that has the endorsement of President Trump. Under his leadership our country had a strong economy, with almost no inflation, and we had affordable energy for Michigan families. That said, when I meet with voters in the new district, they are focused on gas prices, the economy, inflation and what that means for their family and their business. They want to know more about the work I am doing to stop President Biden and his disastrous policies. I have been talking with them about American energy independence, federal spending, agriculture, and how we can make life more affordable for their families. These are the big issues on the minds of Michiganders right now.

Norton: To continue to be a leader of the MAGA movement and to break himself free of the advisors so he doesn’t pick Candidates that are More Liberal than Peter Meijer such as Dr. OZ and Jon Moolanaar yes folks these two are actually more LIBERAL than Peter Meijer.

Why should people vote for you?

Moolenaar: I am the conservative you can count on, and if you send me back to the House of Representatives, I will continue to lead the fight against the Biden Administration’s terrible policies. I will always stand up for Michigan and the hardworking families who make our state home.

Norton: My family goes back 5 generations in this district. Moolaanar has never lived in this district. I am a Afghanistan War Veteran that has been an American Legion post commander, President of MIchigan Conservative Union, Former Village President elected in this district in the past. I also am the only candidate that has built a non-profit focusing on Veterans called the West Michigan Veterans Ranch.

Also a basic comparison of voting records Jon is a nice guy but he voted for the NDAA bill which caused us to be funding sex-changes in the military I would not have voted for that bill.

My opponent voted for the National Institute of Health which funded ‘Gain of Function Research”. Which Rand Paul had to address and we have learned helped fund the COVID-19 virus from the WHUAN Lab.