Incumbent - Rep. Holly Hughes (R-Montague)
Republican Holly Hughes is in her second term serving Michigan House District 91. The Montague resident is a small business owner who is also a former school board member and township trustee
Q: Why politics?
A: “It’s about hometown. It’s trying to make a difference for our hometown. Make sure we have jobs for people who want jobs. Make sure our kids and grandkids have employment and have the education that they need to succeed. So it’s all about hometown.”
Q: Under what dire circumstance or government necessity would you be willing to support a tax increase?
A: “Actually, I supported the Homestead Tax Credit increase to $1,500 a person, $200 million worth. It’s an additional $300 for some of our folks who actually need it. So, it’s more about tax cutting and putting money appropriately where it needs to be.”
Q: If the election were held today, why would you – or – why would you not, vote for your party’s Presidential nominee?
A: “In the primary, actually Kasich was my choice. But I will support our nominee. It’s about the Supreme Court. The Presidency the last four years, but it’s a decade situation with the Supreme Court and we want to make sure that our country is secure rather than having somebody keep having national security in their basement. So, I’m supporting the nominee.”
Collene Lamonte (D-Montague)
Democrat Collene Lamonte is a math and science teacher from Montague seeking a second term in Michigan State House District 91. She previously served a term form 2013 to 2015.
Q: Why politics?
A: “It’s about making people’s lives better. It’s about, you know, working to have a voice in Lansing that’s going to represent just regular, average folks and so many people just feel like the political system isn’t listening anymore. I want to be that person that’s going to let them know I am out here listening and I want to work for them.”
Q: Under what dire circumstance or government necessity would you be willing to support a tax increase?
A: “When it comes to our kid’s education I think we, you know, we need to make sure that we’re funding our kid’s education but I think it’s just a matter of making priorities with the resources that we do have.”
Q: If the election were held today, why would you – or – why would you not, vote for your party’s Presidential nominee?
A: “I would vote for my party’s nominee because I think she is the most qualified candidate that we have on the ticket. I think she is going to stand up for the working people of America and I am happy to support her.”
Col. Max Riekse (L-Fruitport)
Three candidates are running for state house in Michigan’s 91st district. Colonel Max Riekse is a retired Army veteran who served Vietnam and the Iraq War. The recipient of the Bronze Star and Combat Infantry Badge also taught for more than two decades at Michigan Public Schools. Now, he want to put his years of experience to work at the state capitol.
Q: Why politics?
A: “I think there’s a time to come back to the United States Constitution, the Bill of Rights, with emphasis on state’s rights and individual freedom and end all the neocon Trotskyite, Communist wars for the wealthy elite and the banksters and gangsters on Wall Street.”
Q: Under what dire circumstance or government necessity would you be willing to support a tax increase?
A: “We need lower taxes and less government. I think we can get by with very limited sales tax and very limited income tax and I would like to see the Holly Hughes’ tax on senior citizens pensions repealed along with bringing back tax breaks and credits to middle class families.”
Q: If the election were held today, why would you – or – why would you not, vote for your party’s Presidential nominee?
A: “I’m strongly supporting Donald Trump for President even though he’s not my party’s nominee I think he’s the best man for the job and I like him a lot better than the lying, criminal Hillary who should be put in jail.”
