HOLLAND (WHTC-AM/FM) — The four Republican candidates for 30th State Senate seat — currently held by Arlan Meekhof — sat down for a moderated panel forum Wednesday night at Herrick District Library
The Holland Area League of Women Voters’ 30th District State Senate forum featured four Republican candidates’ and a very civil conversation.
Park Township resident John Yelding attended to learn more about two of the candidates. Yelding has been voting for 50 years, in every possible election.
“A lot of people sacrificed a lot to assure that I, in particular, have that right,” he said. “And I think I have a responsiblity to use it.”
Daniela Garcia, current Michigan’s District 90 state representative and an attorney, kept her attention trained on candidates who were talking or took notes. She looked at the audience while explaining her positions on various issues, emphasizing her support for schools of choice and the support she is getting from local law enforcement and the business community.
Rett DeBoer, an Ontonangon native, emphasized her unique approach to the political landscape, as a conservative-turned-activist over the last three years to become an enthusiatic Trump supporter. She said she’d like to see Patrick Colbeck as Michigan’s next governor and said she is a “pitbull” when it comes to her goals. She said running for public office is what God wants her to do.
Former state representative Joe Haveman highlighted his qualifications as a businessman, former state rep and expereince non-profit professional. He said replacing Meekhof with a Republican who will continue to represent Ottawa County in Lansing.
Roger Victory, currently Dictrict 88’s state representative, leaned on Ottawa County’s traditional values, his own poltical experience, and his lifelong career as a farmer and businessman.
Victory, Garcia and Haveman all have records of voting to lower income taxes for Michigan residents.
The candidates’ brief closing statements are online as part of WHTC’s news podcast features.
All four said they supported repealing the prevailing wage, for example or funding charter schools as opposed to just public schools. They uniformly supported Freedom of Information requests but suggested open records rules should not apply to letters from residents to elected officials, which they said often contained personal information.
Wednesday’s event was just one of Holland Area League of Women Voters’s educational event. The next ones are:
The 6th Congressional forum for Democratic candidates David Benac, Rich Eichholz, George Franklin, Matt LongJohn. The winner of the Democratic contest on the Aug. 7 primary ballot will face incumbent Republican Fred Upton, who has no primary challengers and has been in office for 25 years. This forum is set for 7-8 p.m. July 17 at Fennville High School.
The 26th State Senate seat meet-and-greet. Sentor Tonya Schuitmaker is a term-limited Republican. Three Republicans, one Democrat and one Libertarian are running to replace her. Schedule to attention the July 19 meet-and-greet (an informal gathering) are: Don Wickstra (R); Aric Nesbitt (R ); Garnet Lewis (D); and Erwin Hass (L). from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the Old Schoolhouse in downtown Douglas.
