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.

Michigan State Representative — District 78

The 78th District of the Michigan State House of Representatives includes the City of Lowell, Lowell Charter Township, Bowne Township, Boston Township and Keene Township as well as other areas to the south and east. If you live in Vergennes Township or Grattan Township, you are in the 90th District – scroll down to see your candidates.

Two candidates are vying for the seat in the 78th District.

Gina Johnsen — Republican

Campaign address: Lake Odessa
Website: https://www.gina4staterep.com/
Social media: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube

Leah Groves — Democratic

Campaign address: Lowell
Website: NA
Social media: Facebook

Why are you running to be a state representative?

Johnsen: I have over 30 years of business experience, in various industries including financial services, insurance, and healthcare.

I am the Executive Director of 2 non-profits serving the community: Michigan Capitol House of Prayer (12 years) and Pregnancy Center of Eaton County. I have hired and managed staff, signed the front and back of checks, have run board meetings, have fundraised, and have grown these and other organizations to the success they now enjoy, for the purpose of improving each community/State of Michigan.

As a mother and community member, I have interfaced and worked with private schools, public schools, and the homeschool community. I have taught and am currently teaching in the classroom.

I am set apart from my opponents because I have a service record and business background much longer than any of them, which is more than lip service and ideas. I have served in the state senate as a legislative policy director, and for the past 20 years, as a citizen lobbyist, I have been active and have trained others to be engaged and effective to influence Lansing politics. With that experience, I am well aware of the Lansing political environment – the good, the bad, and the ugly. I will not fall prey to their games. Michigan is in dire straits and we must turn it around in every aspect.

Groves: Well, it started with some peer pressure from a great organization called Great Lakes Political Academy. I filed to run on Easter Sunday with the knowing that flipping this seat would be near impossible. Simply put, I’m running to represent minorities, to represent a space on the ballot that values progressive thought, to represent that there is space for us and we will take up that space. I’m running because we need more than thoughts and prayers. We need more than the polarization we’re all feeling. Michigan deserved to have a choice in candidate. We need real connection and compromise. We need a representative that is ready to learn with an open mind. I’m a single mother of two who works ravenously day in and day out to advocate for those with disabilities. I currently serve on Lowell’s City Council as only the 4th woman to hold a seat. I take pride in how I serve Lowell and if we happen to flip the seat, I’d take pride in serving the 78th district.

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

Johnsen: I would like to positively impact the following arenas in Michigan: farming, family business, education, and healthcare. Freedoms must be retained as well as parental choices and healthcare independence/autonomy. State farming regulations must assist the farmer and be practical instead of destroying his/her ability to conduct business and maintain basic function. Our local food supply is at risk because of abusive state government policies.

Groves: First and foremost, protecting birthing persons right to choose abortion should they and their practitioner feel that’s what’s right. I would push for policy and law to protect all birthing persons to have the right to choose. I will never quit this fight.

Secondly, I would continue to advocate and fight for those with disabilities. My investment in this community of unique and treasured individuals started around 17 years old where I participated in the SNAPS and PALS program in the Walled Lake school district. I knew then what I still know now. This is a community we continue to overlook and undervalue.

Lastly, Mental health. I think it’s fair to say no matter what table you sit at, we’ve all been doing more to be cognizant of our mental health. As adults we been able to know all about self-care and building boundaries to protect our well being. I think it’s fair to say, we’ve left the kids in the dust on this one. We need more social workers and counselors in our schools. We need to support our kids.

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

Johnsen: For Lowell, like many small cities, we are facing similar issues: difficult economic environment for local businesses, labor shortages, and inflation.

Groves: I suppose this is a question I would have to ask specifically to Lowell citizens. As a Lowell City council member I feel I have a decent understanding on how most citizens feel about the growth of our town and the needs that would need to be addressed. I know the roads are a common topic up for debate, I feel the 7 year road plan our city manager has worked tirelessly at creating handles this concern well.

Why should people vote for you?

Johnsen: See my website for more information: Gina4StateRep.com, Facebook: Gina4StateRep.

Groves: You should vote for me not because I’m Leah Groves but because I’m willing and able to take on the position. I’m not seeking this position to start a political career. I’m simply here pushing for change, for the end of polarizing sides and to spread love and connection where it’s been long forgotten. We can do better. We have to do better.

Michigan State Representative – District 90

The 90th District of the Michigan House of Representatives includes Vergennes Township and Grattan Township as well as other areas to the north and west.

Two candidates are vying for the seat in the 90th District.

Bryan Posthumus – Republican

Campaign address: Rockford
Website: https://www.posthumusformichigan.com/
Social media: Facebook

Meagan Hintz – Democratic

Campaign address: Rockford
Website: NA
Social media: NA
*Candidate did not respond to multiple emails sent to address listed with the Kent County Elections office.

Why are you running to be a state representative?

Posthumus: I am running for State Representative to continue the work I started when I took office a year and a half ago. We need people in Lansing willing to stand up to the governor when necessary, and also able to effectively get things done for the people of our community.

Hintz: Candidate did not respond to questionnaire.

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

Posthumus:
1. Parent’s rights in their kids’ education
2. Workforce shortages, particularly in the skilled trades.
3. The ever expanding scope of government and increasing burden of taxes on our families.

I fought for parents’ rights in education by spearheading Student Opportunity Scholarships – private funds that could be used for the student for a broad array of opportunities the parent believes best suits the unique needs of their child. When the governor vetoed this legislation, I took it to the people, and by this time next year, parents will have more say in their kid’s education despite the Governor’s opposition.

I have sponsored a package of bills that would cut bureaucratic red tape by allowing for licensing reciprocity across state lines for skilled trades, Healthcare professionals, and barbers and other professions. This would mean that if an electrician is licensed and qualified to work in another state, they can easily move here and do the same job without the government getting in the way.

I sponsored the very first tax cut signed into law by this governor, and then supported additional tax relief for families, seniors, parents. Unfortunately the governor vetoed this much needed tax relief at the pump and in our paychecks, but the fight isn’t over yet.

Hintz: Candidate did not respond to questionnaire.

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

Posthumus: While the issues above impact the entire state as a whole, they are also critical for Lowell and Kent County. Specifically to Lowell however, water quality and contamination is something that the state needs to take an aggressive role in mitigating. We owe it to our citizens to ensure that our communities are safe.

Hintz: Candidate did not respond to questionnaire.

Why should people vote for you?

Posthumus: I ask the Lowell community to support me in my reelection for three reasons:

Hintz: Candidate did not respond to questionnaire.

Editor’s Note: This article was updated on at 2:40pm on October 31, 2022 to add answers from Leah Groves.