LIVINGSTON COUNTY — The primary elections are fast approaching, and several Republicans running in contested primaries for state house seats are making their cases to voters.
The Daily sent a questionnaire to candidates running for two-year terms as state representatives in the 48th, 49th and 50th districts, where nearly all county voters reside.
A small portion of the county, in part of Tyrone Township, lies in the 72nd District, where Democrat John Dolza will challenge incumbent Republican Mike Mueller in November.
More:Our go-to guide for races in Livingston County
Here are candidates' answers, edited for length and clarity:
48th District
Please introduce yourself, including your age and profession.
Jennifer Conlin (Democrat Incumbent): I am the incumbent state representative for District 48 and a career journalist. I am 62 years old and grew up in Ann Arbor. I attended the University of Michigan and Northwestern University for graduate school in journalism. I then spent the next few decades reporting from all over the world (my husband and I lived overseas for 20 years), writing primarily for The New York Times. We moved back to Ann Arbor in 2010 to help with my ageing parents and to finish raising our three children in Michigan.
Tawn Beliger (Republican): I enjoyed growing up as a child in a family of five in Westland. I met my future husband while earning an associate's degree in applied sciences at SchoolcraftCollege. Together we enjoy home projects, running, various hobbies and politics. Ihave experience as an electronics technician, and worked in the IT department at Schoolcraft, and as an electronics andguitar technician for local music stores. My music career culminated in the release of original music under the pseudonym Lemon James. I was elected to a four-year term in public office in 2016 as a trustee in Northfield Township. At the age of 59, I am primarily a homemaker with occasional employment asan election inspector in Washtenaw County.
Brian Ignatowski (Republican): Ignatowski did not respond to The Daily's questionnaire.
What are the biggest challenges facing the state today?
Conlin: BecauseI care for my elderly mother, I worry a lot about our ageing population in Michigan and who will care for our elderly in the future. We have a huge workforce problem here in Michigan, with fewer young people moving to our state or staying here if they are born Michiganders. We have a housing shortage and need to spend more on public transit. PFAS contamination is a hugeproblem inourlakes and can affect our wastewater systems. We need to start battling the PFAS problem by prohibitingfastfood packaging in our state thatcontains PFAS. The only farm affected by PFAS is also in District 48, and I am working on legislation to help farmers who find their land contaminated by the chemical. I am also trying to lower the price of insulin in Michigan by working on a bill to cap the monthly co-payat $35, and working with one of my Republican colleagues to manufacture insulin in our state.
Beliger: Cost of living and cost of doing business. A substandard education system. Students of public schools often rank poorly on standardized testing. Thisis unfair to our youth. Regulation andlicensingburdens on entrepreneurs and smallbusinesses, and their struggle to find skilled and talented employees.
If elected, how would you ensure you're representing Livingston County residents on both sides of the aisle?
Conlin: Many members of my family, and many of my friends, identify as Republicans, and as a journalist I know how to listen to more than one side of an issue. I have enjoyed working with township leaders in Genoa and Hamburg and the LivingstonCounty Board of Commissioners to make sure I am addressing any issues that needstate assistance. We might not agree on everything, but we do care about clean drinking water, updating infrastructure, and caring for our veterans and first responders. I've had bipartisan bills pass the House floor. The most recent,as chair of the House Committee on Military, Homeland Security, and Veterans Affairs,is a bill package with two Republican representatives establishing a central office for Veterans Mental Health and Suicide Prevention in the Military Veterans Affairs Agency
Beliger: I will represent all residents, not only in Livingston, Washtenaw, and Jackson, but within the entire state by actively protecting citizen’s rights andliberties.
What will be your top priorities, if elected?
Conlin: My top priorities are: veterans issues (including access to mental health and housing), bettering our environment (through PFAS and polluter-pay legislation), and providing accessible healthcare (including lowering the price of prescriptiondrugs). I also care greatly about continuing to improve education in Michigan, caring for our seniors, and recruiting and retaining a strong workforce.
Beliger: The integrity of elections isthe most important issue, all other issues or problems are likely to be remedied with the voters ability to change their representation.Protecting the rights of the people. Education reform. Unraveling regulatory burdens and addressing government overreach and intrusion into our personal lives.
What's your stance on government involvement inDiversity, Equity, and Inclusion(DEI)?
Conlin: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives exist to create a more just society. We, as leaders, should promote a more equitable system that allows everyone's voice to be heard, regardless of one's circ*mstances, in order to be sure we are not leaving any community inherently disadvantaged. I was proud that we voted last year to expand our Elliott Larsen Civil Rights Act of 1976 to include the LGBTQ+ community. No one should be discriminated against for the color of their skin, their gender, or who they love.
Beliger: Government must exercise common sense hiring practices based upon merit and skill. DEI is unacceptable as it attempts tofillunrealisticquotas based upon superficial characteristics.
Do you support having a policy on book banning?
Conlin: The idea of book banning is not new in American society; however, it represents a problematic phenomenon. Libraries and book sellers should be allowed to offer whatever reading materials they see fit, which is important in a free society. Censorship of books should not be within the purview of any government. Instead, parents have the opportunity to select or determine what is appropriate for their own children. As a former journalist, I do not believe in censorship of any kind.
Beliger: No to "book banning," however, placement of adult content material in libraries and schoolsmust be restricted to "adult only" areas.
49th District
Please introduce yourself, including your age and profession.
Andy Wood (Democrat): I’m 43 and am a DoorDash driver.
Ann Bollin (Republican Incumbent): Bollin did not respond to The Daily's questionnaire.
What are the biggest challenges facing the state today?
Wood: Working families in Michigan are struggling under the increased cost of housing, increased costs of goods and services, and wages that aren't keeping up. We need to work to reduce these burdens so working families can thrive.
If elected, how would you ensure you're representing Livingston County residents on both sides of the aisle?
Wood: I plan to keep open communication with the district, not only so my constituents can share their concerns, but also to share what's being done in government to help them.
What will be your top priorities, if elected?
Wood: My top priorities are reducing wealth inequality, strengthening our public schools and protecting our environment.
What's your stance on government involvement inDiversity, Equity, and Inclusion(DEI)?
Wood: I believe that diversity is our strength, equity is the only way to continue moving forward, and inclusion is a driver of innovation. I believe that DEI is an important part of a functioning and thriving society.
Do you support having a policy on book banning?
Wood: The only policy concerning book bans that I would support would be an outright ban on book bans. Banning books is banning ideas, banning thought and banning speech. In a free and open society, there is no room for state agencies on any level to ban books.
50th District
Please introduce yourself, including your age and profession.
Austin Breuer (Democrat): I am 27 years old as of July 9, and I have lived within Michigan’s 50th District for more than 20 years. I have been an employee of Jonna’s Market in Howell for the past nine years. I began working at Jonna’s right after I graduated from Howell High School in 2015, and was quickly promoted within the stock department until I came to manage the department in 2020. When combined with my extensive educational experience in American political history through Lansing Community College and Eastern Michigan University, I feel well suited to represent the interests of the 50th District.
Bob Bezotte (Republican Incumbent): I am 73 years old. I’m the current representative for the 50th District. I spent 33 years in law enforcement with the Livingston County Sheriff’s Department, was a three-term elected sheriff from 2004-2016, was a two-term elected county commissioner from 2017-2020, and am a second-term elected State representative from 2021 to now.
Kristina Lyke (Republican): My age is 47. My profession is an attorney.
Dominic Restuccia (Republican): I'm a local realtor, a Hillsdale College graduate, and a former congressional staffer for Congressman Mike Bishop and U.S. Senator Mike Lee. My wife, Emma, and I both grew up in Livingston County and wanted to raise a family of our own here. We're parishioners at St. Joseph's Catholic Church. I'm also a member of the Howell Chamber of Commerce and the team captain for St. Joe's in the Livingston County Church Men's Softball League.
Jason Woolford (Republican): I'm a 52-year-old Marine Corps Veteran, along with my wife and daughter, who also served in the Marine Corps. Born and raised in Howell, I understand the ongoing needs of my fellow Michiganders. As a businessman and conservative leader in his community, I'm ready to defend and remind "We The People" of our constitutional rights.
What are the biggest challenges facing the state today?
Breuer: Our state is facing major issues with economic instability and hardship. Price gouging from corporations and insurance agencies, high housing costs and the availability of high-paying jobs are all contributing to the struggles of the everyday Michigander. Prices for goods and services have risen far higher than inflation, and while the state government is beginning to move in the right direction, it still isn’t doing enough to address this issue. I would be a voice of reason in better planning for when and where to work on the roads, so we aren’t fixing them all at the same time. By planning improvement projects better, we can save money and headaches. By investing in affordable housing solutions and transportation systems, as well as education and job opportunities through various avenues such as promoting trade schools, colleges, vocational education systems and more, the economic losses to our state can be mitigated, and the overall quality of life can be improved.
Bezotte: 1. Illegalimmigration, we must secure our borders. 2. Our current budget is a record $82 billion dollars up from $62 billion in 2021. This spending is out of control and unsustainable.3. Economy. It’s costing a family of four $12,000 more a year to run their household. Gas, food and energy costs have increased over the past three years.4. Small businesses are leaving Michigan. Taxes and regulations are hurting businesses and our citizens are leaving for opportunities in other states.
Lyke: The biggest challenges facing the state are the following: affordability (i.e. not being able to afford groceries), illegal immigration, the educational system and constitutional issues.
Restuccia: Michigan is headed in the wrong direction. Our current leaders in Lansing do not have a plan to get Michigan back on track outside of throwing money at the problem by subsidizing Chinese battery plants and providing handouts to illegal immigrants. We need leadership that will rebuild our economy, restore our schools, and support our law enforcement to make Michigan the best place to live, work and raise a family for future generations.
Woolford: Unconstitutional shifting of power to the admin state. Economic failure and the stealing of money from citizens paychecks to fund woke and left-wing agendas.
If elected, how would you ensure you're representing Livingston County residents on both sides of the aisle?
Breuer: If elected, I will be available to listen to the needs and concerns of all my constituents. Getting in contact with representatives can be difficult to downright impossible, which is the opposite of how public officials should be held to responsibility.
Bezotte: I have worked across the aisle on bipartisan legislation on good policy involving law enforcement and military issues. HB-4047 Blue Star Mother’s Day; HB-5720 Mental Health-Veterans; HB-4438 312 Arbitration for Michigan County Corrections Deputies.
Lyke: When elected for representative, I will represent all of the district, and that means making sure that all communication is answered, attending township meetings, hosting coffee hours, and listening to all constituents in the district. Being a mediator, I have the experience to be able to work together for the people to get the job done. People are tired of individuals who are talkers, and actions speak louder than words.
Restuccia: Going door-to-door across Livingston County, most people that I meet want the same things: a strong economy, good schools, safe communities, a better future for their children and grandchildren. But most people I've spoken with believe we're headed the wrong way. We've walked away from the principles of personal responsibility, the rule of law, and limited government. These aren't Democrat or Republican values, but American values. I will work to promote the interests of all Livingston County residents to get our state back on track.
Woolford: The issues facing our community are not partisan.I think Democrats are being misled by far-left radicals and real Democrats and Republicans will love a representative that fights for their guns rights, paychecks, family and life.
What will be your top priorities, if elected?
Breuer: If elected, my top priorities will be to improve the quality of education throughout the state, pass protections for personal freedoms, and improve our state’s infrastructure.
Bezotte: I’m a fiscal conservative. I have voted and supported lower taxes and less regulation to improve our economy.
Lyke: Making life affordable for Livingston County, passing legislation to cease illegal immigration through our Constitution, making sure Livingston is not mandated to have solar panels or windmills, not selling our land to China, making our educational system (one of the top) nationwide, passing Constitutional laws and rescinding a few laws passed that are unconstitutional, and passing legislation to have “no incumbent” shown on the ballot as it pertains to judges.
Restuccia: We have to get our economy back on track so that average Michigan residents can earn more, be taxed less, and provide a better future for our families. We also need safe communities and good schools, so I will work to support our law enforcement and invest in our schools to pursue educational excellence for our students. I will work to achieve these results by scaling back spending and taxes at the state level, supporting teacher merit pay, parental rights, and reading scholarships, and cracking down on sanctuary cities that refuse to enforce the rule of law.
Woolford: Five things every Republican candidate should agree on in 2024: Support women's and children's rights, keep men out of girls' bathrooms and locker rooms, require every county to use watermarked ballots to prevent absentee ballot voter fraud, repeal every unconstitutional gun law and expand our gun rights, ban transgender mutilation surgery for minors, close the border to illegal immigration.
What's your stance on government involvement inDiversity, Equity, and Inclusion(DEI)?
Breuer: I believe the government has a duty to protect its citizens while remaining as neutral as possible, so as to not favor one group over all others to an unreasonable degree. I view diversity as a beneficial force in driving competition, broadening world-views, and learning compromise. All people deserve to be treated with basic human decency, as well as the rights afforded them by the constitutions of the state of Michigan and the federal government. Forced diversity and forced inclusion can be detrimental to populations and systems, however, and such government-enforced diversity should only be implemented on a case-by-case basis so as to appropriately address the situation. For the government to enforce diversity to achieve balance, there must be a compelling government interest to do so, and the least restrictive means must be utilized.
Bezotte: I’m opposed to any government intervention or involvement in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. This only serves to separate us as individuals and Americans. Parents should have full control over their children’s education.
Lyke: I believe that all individuals should be treated equally.
Restuccia: It is not the role of the government to promote DEI. Our government was created on the principle of equal treatment under the law. We've strived to realize this promise more fully as we pursue a more perfect union, but initiatives like DEI that divide, categorize, and discriminate based on sex, race, and skin color take us in the wrong direction. I will work to oppose DEI initiatives in government and instead promote equal treatment under the law regardless of race, color, or political philosophy.
Woolford: Communism should be illegal.
Do you support having a policy on book banning?
Breuer: I do not support a policy on book banning. I believe that knowledge is power, and that government control over the information a population has access to is a misuse of power, leading down a slippery slope to extreme government overreach and control.
Bezotte: No, I do not. But I’m opposed to any type of sexual exploitation of our children, any type of sexual materialin our schools or anywhere that is open or accessible to minor children.
Lyke: I do not believe that book banning is an issue in our county, yet I do believe age appropriate material is necessary for children and should not include p*rnography, as case law indicates.
Restuccia: Political agendas have no place in our children's classrooms. I will work to ensure that our children are receiving age-appropriate content at school and support curriculums that enrich their education.
Woolford: I'm against any p*rnographic material given to children disguised as educational materials.
— Contact reporter Jennifer Eberbach at jeberbach@livingstondaily.com.
