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3 Questions with the Candidate: MI-House District 76

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Incumbent - Rep. Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids) 

Four candidates are running for state house in Michigan’s 76th district. The incumbent is Democrat Winnie Brinks. The Calvin College graduate who has worked in schools and nonprofits is seeking a second term in office.

Q: Why politics?

A: “For me it’s because I believe the people of Grand Rapids deserve honest, hardworking leaders who will speak up for them in Lansing.”

Q: Under what dire circumstance or government necessity would you be willing to support a tax increase?

A: “Ah, good question. So, first of all I think we need to make sure that we’re doing the best we can with what we already have. So, that would entail taking a look through the budget very carefully. Then I guess only if there is a concrete, specific use for revenue that my constituents would agree brings value to their lives and then it must be done in a fair way.”

Q: If the election were held today, why would you – or – why would you not, vote for your party’s Presidential nominee?

A: “I will be voting for my party’s Presidential nominee because I quite simply think she is the best person for the job.”   

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Casey O'Neill (R-Grand Rapids)

Republican Casey O’Neill is new to politics. The small business owner says he wants to improve education and the skilled trades in Michigan’s 76th district.

Q: Why politics?

A: “It has a huge impact on the business climate, on our economy. Being a small business owner I see working in politics as one way that we can really help to make a good environment for businesses to grow.”

Q: Under what dire circumstance or government necessity would you be willing to support a tax increase?

A: “My go-to is to always look at cutting expenses, creating more efficiencies in government, reducing bureaucracy. But, on the education side of things I firmly believe that we owe it to every kid, in an urban district, in a rural district and a suburban district, to make sure that we’re giving them the best education possible, and in order to do that I would be willing to consider raising taxes.”

Q: If the election were held today, why would you – or – why would you not, vote for your party’s Presidential nominee?

A: “This election is mostly about issues, not about people. I, for one, really believe we need Supreme Court Justices who are going to abide by the Constitution and not try to change it. We need a President who is going to work with Congress to create a healthy business environment where businesses can flourish and grow. I believe our candidate will do that.”

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John George (L-Grand Rapids)

In 2015, Libertarian John George ran for Grand Rapids Mayor and lost. The retired engineer continues his passion for politics with a run to represent Michigan’s 76th House district.

Q: Why politics?

A: “It’s been a hobby of mine and now I’d like to actually use my knowledge to make things better for the people of my district in the state of Michigan.”

Q: Under what dire circumstance or government necessity would you be willing to support a tax increase?

A: “I really would not be willing to raise taxes. I think in a budget the size of Michigan’s, there are things that could be done to minimize expenditures in other places and use that money for the dire circumstances.”

Q: If the election were held today, why would you – or – why would you not, vote for your party’s Presidential nominee?

A: “Well, that’s kind of a loaded question. I am a Libertarian, and I have always voted Libertarian, but this time I’m a little concerned about the credentials of the Libertarian candidates. So, it’s really a difficult choice for me but I’m leaning in other directions.” 

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Brandon Hoezee (UST-Grand Rapids)

U.S. Taxpayer Party candidate Brandon Hoezee is a Kuyper College graduate who has served as a Kent County Republican precinct and state convention delegate. Now with the U-S-T he seeks to represent Michigan’s 76th House district.

Q: Why politics?

A: “For me it’s just a case of getting fed up with the two party system and wanting to have more options.”

Q: Under what dire circumstance or government necessity would you be willing to support a tax increase?

A: “I’m opposed to raising taxes because we need to find the funds from the money that’s already there. We waste a lot of money and we should use the funding from other areas.”

Q: If the election were held today, why would you – or – why would you not, vote for your party’s Presidential nominee?

A: “I will be voting for Darrell Castle because he’s the best man for the job. It’s one of the reasons I decided to run was to, as a protest of both Trump and Hillary because they are unacceptable choices.” 

Patrick joined WGVU Public Media in December, 2008 after eight years of investigative reporting at Grand Rapids' WOOD-TV8 and three years at WYTV News Channel 33 in Youngstown, Ohio. As News and Public Affairs Director, Patrick manages our daily radio news operation and public interest television programming. An award-winning reporter, Patrick has won multiple Michigan Associated Press Best Reporter/Anchor awards and is a three-time Academy of Television Arts & Sciences EMMY Award winner with 14 nominations.
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