GAYLORD — As the Nov. 8 election approaches, the Gaylord Herald Times will publish candidate profiles for contested local and state races.
Featured today are candidates for the 36th Michigan State Senate district, which includes all or part of the following counties: Alcona, Alpena, Arenac, Crawford, Iosco, Kalkaska, Manistee, Missaukee, Montmorency, Ogemaw, Oscoda, Otsego, Presque Isle, Roscommon and Wexford.
This district's boundaries were created by the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission. The contenders for this seat are Democrat Joel Sheltrown of Gladwin, who was a member of the Michigan House of Representatives District 103 from 2005 to 2011. He did not respond to an invitation to participate in this report.
Michele Hoitenga of Manton is the Republican Party candidate. Currently, she is a member of the Michigan House of Representatives District 102. She assumed office in 2017 and her term ends in 2023. She did respond and her answers are below.
All candidates received the same questions. The Herald Times reserved the right to edit responses from the candidates to account for space, grammar and Associated Press style guidelines.
Q: How will you personally vote on Proposal 3 on the November ballot that will decide the future of legal access to abortion in Michigan?
A: Like most Northern Michiganders (including my Democratic opponent), I am pro-life. However, I believe even most pro-choice voters who read this proposal will agree it goes too far. Prop 3 is extreme. In fact, it was so poorly written that legal opinions state there will be unintended consequences should this initiative pass, such as allowing for an abortion up until birth, and removing parental consent when a minor seeks an abortion or gender reassignment surgeries. The language also lacks a definition for "health care worker," which will allow abortions to be performed by anyone. And, it may even eliminate laws regarding safety requirements that currently exist for clinics where abortions are performed. I will be voting "No."
Q: How will you personally vote on Proposal 2 on the November ballot which would add additional election requirements to the state Constitution, including nine days of early voting?
A: As with most legislation and ballot proposals, you will only hear about the parts interest groups want you to hear about. It is usually the fine print, or lack of details and clarification that poisons an issue which might otherwise sound good. I refer to this as the "poison pill" in some good bills. Contrary to the commercials airing in support of this ballot initiative, it does nothing to address election security. The fact is voters can currently obtain an absentee ballot weeks in advance, without giving a reason. The language also loosens the identification requirements. Recently, I voted "Yes" on a bill that would have given free identification cards to those who could not afford them. This would ensure every single voter has identification, but Gov. Whitmer vetoed that bill. Hopefully, the Legislature can address the good items in this proposal, while leaving the poison pills on the plate. I'll be voting "No."
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Q: If elected, will you release your state and federal tax returns every year that you are in office?
A: I support transparency in government and voted in favor of the resolution earlier this year that calls for certain financial disclosures. Specifically, it requires Michigan legislators, the secretary of state, the attorney general and the governor to release descriptions of assets and liabilities, sources of all forms of income, current and future job arrangements, and payments and gifts received from registered lobbyists.
— Contact reporter Paul Welitzkin at pwelitzkin@gaylordheraldtimes.com.