Michigan voters will go to the polls Tuesday, Aug. 7, with several local primary races on the ballot, among them is the Republican nomination for 72nd District State House seat. WKTV has what you need to know about the race between incumbent Rep. Steve Johnson and challenger Jennifer Antel.
Rep. Johnson is completing his first term representing the 72nd District, which includes Kentwood as part a far-flung district including portions of Kent and Allegan counties. He lives in Wayland Township, is a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, and readily identifies himself as a Christian conservative.
Antel is currently a Wayland City Councilor and has served 13 years on the council, currently as Mayor Pro Tem. She has a Masters in Public Administration from Grand Valley State University, has worked as the Downtown Development Director for the City of Otsego, and Assistant to the City Manager in the City of Kalamazoo. She is a mother of five, and is a guest teacher and track coach at Wayland Union Schools.
The 72nd District House of Representative seat covers the cities of Kentwood and Wayland, along with a portion of Cutlerville and the community of Dorr. For a district map, click here.
There are two candidates, a one-term incumbent and a challenger, seeking the Republican Party nomination in the Aug. 7 primary. The winner will then face Democratic candidate Ron Rraayer and Libertarian candidate Jamie Lewis at the general election Nov. 6.
Note: Primary candidates are show in alphabetical order. Only seats with primary opposition were invited to participate in We The People at this time.
Name: Jennifer Antel
Party: Primary candidate, Republican
Occupation: Mayor pro tem for the City of Wayland, coach, substitute teacher and business owner.
Why did you decide to run for the 72th District House of Representatives seat?
I was tired of everyone bickering in Lansing and not, seemingly, working together to get things done. And I thought my different leadership style could make a difference.
If elected, what issues do you want to focus on?
Broadening our education, specifically for high school students, including high tech and skilled trades at the high school level. And also early elementary education in math and English.
Name: Steve Johnson
Party: Incumbent primary candidate, Republican
Occupation: State Representative, 72nd District
Why did you decide to run for the 72th District House of Representatives seat?
I’ve been in this job for two years now. I’ve given some strong, conservative leadership so far and I believe, hopefully, in another two years I can get some conservative legislation across the finish line that I have gotten started.
If elected, what issues do you want to focus on?
No. 1 is defending people’s right to life, No. 2 is enacting lower taxes for everyone, and No. 3 is working to fix our broken auto no fault insurance system, allowing rate relief for everyone.
77th District House of Representatives
The 77th District House of Representative seat covers the City of Wyoming, Byron Township and a portion of Cutlerville. For a district map, click here.
There are two candidates seeking the Republican Party nomination and two candidates seeking the Democractic Party nomination. The winners for each party will then face each other along with Libertarian candidate Patty Malowney at the general election Nov. 6.
Note: Primary candidates are show in alphabetical order. Only seats with primary opposition were invited to participate in We The People at this time.
Name: Tommy Brann
Party: Incumbent, Republican
Occupation: Owner of Brann’s Steakhouse & Grille on Division Avenue
Why did you decide to run for the 77thDistrict House of Representatives seat?
Because I am good at the job. I own a small business and every night, I comeback and work at that business and through that I bring the issues that I learned about and discuss at that business back to Lansing, which is not something many of my colleagues are able to do.
If elected, what issues do you want to focus on?
I have an animal cruelty bill that I have been working on. Also, I want to continue the work on homelessness by getting that $2 additional per bed for the shelters. Michigan is one of the lowest in the country, $16 per bed when the average is $26, in contributing to shelters. This additional money would help with new bedding and operations. We have more than 60,000 homeless people, so it is a big problem. I also want to bring the concept of free enterprise into the schools to give students more career choices.
Name: Jordan T. Oesch
Party: Incumbent, Republican
Occupation: Business services
Why did you decide to run for the 77thDistrict House of Representatives seat?
I decided to run because I love the area and it just motivated me. It is why I want to fight to bring more economic opportunities back to West Michigan. I will work tirelessly to ensure that every effort is made to bring our state up around West Michigan.
If elected, what issues do you want to focus on?
Taxes and infrastructure. The moderation of infrastructure has a number of benefits to us, bring businesses back and cost savings. That along with everything else that is so important to the people of this area.
The Democratic candidates are Dana Knight and Robert Van Kirk, did not participate in the We the People candidate profiles.
On the latest episode of WKTV Journal: In Focus is James Carmody. After an award-winning career spanning more than four decades, Wyoming Director of Police and Fire Services Chief Carmody retired a few weeks ago. Before he did so, WKTV’s Joanne Bailey-Boorsma walked with “The Chief” as he talked about his career and the Wyoming department he led.
Also on the episode, In Focus is Jennifer Antel, currently a Wayland City Councilor who is running in the Republican primary for the 72nd District state representative seat currently held by fellow Republican Steven Johnson. The 72nd district includes parts of Allegan and Kent counties, including the city of Kentwood.
The entire episode of “WKTV Journal: In Focus” airs on cable television in the Wyoming and Kentwood areas on Comcast WKTV Channel 26 and on AT&T Channel 99 Government channel.
The episode will debuted on WKTV cable channels on Tuesday, June 12, and will again air on Thursday, June 14, also at 6:30 p.m., and will continue on the same days and times the week of June 4. But all interviews included in episodes of WKTV Journal: In Focus are also available on YouTube at WKTVvideos.
