politics

A big win for grassroots organization Voters Not Politicians Tuesday, as voters in Michigan largely supported Proposal 2 that will effectively end gerrymandering in the state. Under the current state constitution, district lines are drawn by state legislators every 10 years, however, critics have long argued that politicians manipulate those districts to favor a specific political party in future elections.

Proposal 2 strips lawmakers of the responsibility of mapping out districts and will hand that job over to a 13-member commission made up of citizens.

Republican U.S. Representative Justin Amash will serve a fifth term in office after defeating Democratic challenger Cathy Albro in Michigan’s 3rd Congressional District.

With nearly 54-percent voter turnout in the City of Grand Rapids there was speculation Democrat Cathy Albro could pull off an upset of Republican incumbent, U.S. Representative Justin Amash. In the end, there weren’t enough votes district-wide and Amash beat his challenger by 12-points.

Two former Michigan House members squared off in the Michigan Senate’s 29th District with the winner replacing term-limited Senator Dave Hildenbrand. Democrat Winnie Brinks, with roughly 60-percent of the vote, defeated Republican Chris Afendoulis.

In Grand Rapids Democrat Rachel Hood and Republican Amanda Brand squared off in the Michigan House’s 76th District with Hood defeating Brand by roughly a 60 to 40 margin. Hood has her to-do list ready for when she arrives in Lansing.

“Our friends in the LGBTQ community have been waiting far too long for equal rights and protections under Michigan law, under Elliot Larson, we need to include them as a protected class. We have an immigrant community that deserves to be recognized with licenses and that’s among my top priorities.”

WGVU's Decision 2018 interviews U.S. House of Representatives candidates running in Michigan’s 3rd Congressional District; Republican Justin Amash, Democrat Cathy Albro and U.S. Taxpayers Party Ted Gerrard.