By WKTV Staff
joanne@wktv.org
Four candidates are seeking the the 28th District Senate seat in the fall election set for Nov. 2.
The seat was vacated by Peter MacGregor last year when he took over the position of Kent County treasurer. Four candidates have put their names in the ring for the seat: Libertarian Alex Avery, Democrat Keith Courtade, U.S. Taxpayers Theodore Gerrard, and Republican Mark Huizenga.
The 28th District of the State Senate includes the City of Wyoming as well as the cities of Walker, Rockford, and Cedar Springs, For a district map, click here.
The election will be open form 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. on Nov. 2. Those voting by absent ballot have until 8 p.m. on Election Day to complete the ballot and return it to the clerk’s office.
In its We the People videos, WKTV invites all candidates to share why they decided to run for the 28th District seat and issues the candidate feels are important. Below, are the candidates who participated.
Keith Courtade – Democrat
Occupation: Retired UAW Skills Trades
Why did you decide to run for the District 28 Senate seat?
I feel important things are going on and I have a passion for it. I have always had a passion for it and I want to help people. I’ve been a voice for the middle class and have a passion to help people.
What are the key issues you are focused on?
The biggest issue is the right to vote. I believe all people should have the right to vote. The next one, and the one closer to Michigan, is cleaning up and protecting our groundwater. I’ve seen firsthand what happened in Flint as I was working at the GM plant there at the time. More needs to be done to fix the problem not just in the in the Flint area but all of Michigan as contaminated groundwater is a statewide issue.
Theodore Gerrand – US Taxpayers
Occupation: Electrician
Why did you decided to run for the District 28 Senate seat?
I watched the two major parties, which are dragging us down, pushing us away from the congressional process and truth. I believe we need to get back to the truth and freedom.
What are the key issues you are focused on?
I believe we need to focus on education and that we need to break free of the U..S. Department of Education and return the course of school to teachers and parents. I think the STEM program is very exciting and we need to be pushing that out more to students. We have a huge group of people who will be retiring from the trades, about a 2 to 1 radio, so we need to be supporting new people to move into the trades.
Mark Huizenga – Republican
Occupation: The current 74th District State Representative, which covers Rockford, Cedar Springs, Algoma Township along with the cities of Walker and Grandville, Huizenga owns Mark Huizenga Systems Consulting, a consulting firm, and is the managing partner for Key Green Solutions, a software company.
Why did you decide to run for the District 28 Senate seat?
I have always been involved not because of the campaigns or the politics, but because I have been asked to. My past background includes serving the state and mayoral experience with the City of Walker. I offer transparent accountability and am known to respond to all questions. I also make a point of meeting with people and talking about the issues that impact them.
What are the key issues you are focused on?
Currently there is no formula for state funding of higher education with some institutions receiving more than others. I sit on the Higher Education Committee and have been working toward creating a more equability funding system. Other issues are mental health, especial in our schools and I have worked to help launch a new hotline through the Department of Health and Human Services. Also, we need to look at gun violence.
