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JACKSON COUNTY, MI – A Republican incumbent faces a challenger for a seat in the Michigan House of Representatives in the Nov. 5 general election.
State Rep. Sarah Lightner, R-Springport, is running for re-election in 45th House District. She was first elected in 2018. She made her career as a paralegal, and previously served as a Jackson County commissioner, according to her website.
Lightner faces Democrat Doug Murch, who has called Marshall home for over 25 years. He is a small business owner, and a retired employee of the Jackson County Youth Center, according to his website.
The winner will represent the 45th District, which includes parts of Calhoun, Jackson and Kalamazoo counties, as well as the city of Marshall.
Jackson County Michigan House districts
MLive/Jackson Citizen Patriot has partnered with the nonpartisan League of Women Voters of Michigan Education Fund to provide the Vote411.org voter guide.
In responses to the voter guide questionnaire, the candidates discussed their experience and qualifications, top goals and more.
Note: All responses in the voter guide were submitted directly by the candidate and have not been edited by the League of Women Voters, except for necessary cuts if a reply exceeded character limitations. Spelling and grammar were not corrected. Publication of candidate statements and opinions is solely in the interest of public service and should NOT be considered as an endorsement. The League never supports or opposes any candidates or political parties.
GENERAL BIO QUESTION: Why are you running for the Michigan State Legislature?
Lightner: I am a wife, mom, and farmer. I want Michigan to be a great place to live, work, play and prosper. I love connecting with people and being their voice in Lansing. I hope to help people keep more of their paychecks, provide safe schools and work on additional local road funding. We have to do better and cut burdensome regulations that hurt our small businesses, not balance the budget on the backs of hard working people and provide funding for law enforcement to provide safe communities. I hope that I can keep the confidence of the people I represent to be their voice.
Murch: I believe that the voters of the 45th District are looking for leadership to solve serious problems that affect their daily lives. We must have leaders who are honest, straightforward, and willing to take difficult positions. Politicians who will stand up for what they believe even if it is not politically expedient. It is time for our political leaders to set an example that we can disagree without being disagreeable. Everywhere I have served I have been asked to be in leadership because I was known to get things done. I am running because the 45th District needs someone who can get things done.
EDUCATION: What should Michigan do to provide an equitable, quality public education for all while addressing the current teacher shortage.
Lightner: We need to focus on the basics and make sure we provide parents and educators with the tools they need to help our children learn. The money we invest in education should focus on learning and making sure our kids feel safe at school.
Murch: Public education and the professional educators in our state need to be respected. We keep teachers and recruit new teachers by providing a competitive wage and good benefits.
ENVIRONMENT: What do you see as the state’s role, if any, in mitigating the impact of climate change?
Lightner: The state has a duty to inform people about how to effectively keep our fresh water safe. We have one of the greatest natural resources in the world and education is key to protecting our great lakes.
Murch: The state needs to put in place policies that make it easier and financially attractive for individuals, cities, counties and townships to make decisions that reduce our impact on the environment.
RESIDENT RETENTION: What actions/proposals, if any, do you support to retain residents in our state?
Lightner: We have lost population in Michigan and need to grow our economy back up. We must make Michigan more affordable and let people keep more of their own money. In our Mission for Michigan, we plan to focus on a tax rollback, provide funding for safe communities, decrease burdensome regulations for small businesses, fix our crumbling local roads and prepare all kids for the future.
Murch: Individuals who are looking where to live and raise their families are searching for a quality of life where they can have a good paying job with quality healthcare, childcare, and education. They are looking for a clean environment and safe communities. We have some of the top institutions of higher learning in the country, we need to keep that talent in Michigan by providing the opportunities they are seeking. In addition, we have a severe shortage of skilled trades people in our state. We need to support trade schools and apprenticeship programs. Those entering the workforce should not need to look elsewhere to find what they are want.
Read more Jackson-area election stories.
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