Candidate Profile: Emily Bauman For State House

Emily Bauman, a Westland resident is running for State House District 16.

Age: 53
Party affiliation: Republican Party
Family:Bill, husband and 3 children, 20, 12, 9
Occupation:Business & Life Coach & business owner, 7 years. Previously, owner of landscape design firm and sales & management positions in various industries: telecommunications, medical, dental, & retail.
Previous elected experience:Though I have not held an office, I served as campaign manager on a Congressional campaign
Family members in government:My brother is a police officer in Texas and retired from the Air Force. My father was a 1st Lieutenant in the US Army.
Campaign website: https://www.emilybauman.com/

The single most pressing issue facing our state is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.
The single most pressing issue for our state is rebuilding the economy, while not sacrificing health. Both can be and need to be rebuilt, quickly. I intend take active engagement in open discussion and negotiations that will support ways for businesses to reopen safely. I will also support the constitutional rights of the people of Michigan and trust that they will make the best decisions for themselves and their families and their community--I will support them by helping provide the education needed for them to make healthy and safe decisions.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?
The critical differences are that the people I will serve can trust that I will do what I say I will do and I am a person who takes action. An elected office is a privilege and the State Representative office a 2-year job, not a seat to take up and collect taxpayer money. I understand business, having been a business owner for nearly 20 years, and I understand having much and having little. I understand what it takes to raise a family and make the sacrifices needed for others before myself. I believe to serve the people you must be able to relate and I have life experiences and relationships that will provide me a grounding as well as an understanding that you can only have through years. As a State Representative, I will work for the people of my district and the state of Michigan from day 1, and not only when it is time for re-election.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?
The main accomplishments are that of being a business owner, mother and wife of 24 years. I have also worked in corporate America and many various industries, giving me an understanding and perspective you can't have without the experiences. I understand the value of hard work and even working harder and feeling like you are gaining little and then pushing and persevering through anyway. Plus, my work and accomplishments with nonprofits in fundraising, strategic planning and board governance sets me apart and is a great precursor to serving people in an elected office.

What steps should state government take to bolster economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic for local businesses?
First, our state government must extend trust to each other and to the residents and businesses in Michigan. They must be willing to come to the table and engage in any and all discussions needed that holds this trust to be true. The discussions and negotiations need to support the constitutional rights and liberties that provide education and encouragement to make safe and healthy decisions for families, businesses and neighbors. Second, rather than an arbitrary plan, a very specific and measurable plan must be developed so people and businesses have the opportunity to self-govern and make the decisions how they WILL be able to open, and not wonder IF they ever will.

How will you address the calls for racial justice and police reform?
The people in our community must feel safe in their homes, on the street, in their workplaces--wherever they go. The men and women in our police force must feel safe performing their duty and service to our community. We have the ability and opportunity to raise the bar in a way to support our public servants in blue AND provide equal justice to the people in our community. It does not need to be one or the other. I believe that setting higher standards and providing continual training and support in the areas of diversity and justice will go far in reforming our law and order system. It has been proven when the bar is raised, people will rise to it.

List other issues that define your campaign platform:
My main focuses are on Health (physical & mental), Safety (justice & liberty) & Economy (workers & businesses). Plus, I believe that being trustworthy is in the actions I take and what I do when no one is looking and what I d when everyone is looking. Trust will always be my 'Job 1'.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?
I believe one's character speaks volumes to how they will act and serve in any capacity. I have spent years being the person my friends, co-workers and family could count on to say what needs to be said and do what needs to be done, not just what people 'wanted to hear' or see. We all might not agree and it certainly wasn't always easy. I am trusted that if I say I will do something, I will see it to the end. I am not only trusted, I understand what it means to be trustworthy and to tell the truth. These are guiding principles I apply to everything I do. We may not always agree, however I will be available, transparent and accountable to everyone I serve, no matter what. I will be open to listening to you, before, during and after any proposal, bill, legislation, or vote I do.

This article originally appeared on the Detroit Patch