New districts mean new Michigan House candidates for eastern parts of Lenawee County
Voters in Lenawee County's eastern communities will have some unfamiliar candidates to choose from in the Aug. 2 primary election for the Michigan House of Representatives.
The new legislative maps from the state's independent redistricting commission crossed county lines for several House districts. Two that affect Lenawee County voters are the 30th and 31st districts, which include parts of Lenawee and Monroe counties.
Ridgeway and Deerfield townships are in the 30th District, which stretches across the southern half of Monroe County and includes the city of Monroe. Two Republicans and one Democrat are running. The Republicans are William Bruck of Erie Township and Paul Pirrone of Temperance. The Democrat is Suzanne Jennens of Lambertville.
Macon Township is in the 31st District, which extends through Monroe County to southern Wayne County. Two Democrats and two Republicans are running. The Republicans are Dale Biniecki of Monroe and Holli Vallade of Milan. The Democrats are Reggie Miller of Belleville and Glenn Morrison Jr. of Van Buren Township.
Questionnaires were provided to the candidates. The following are their responses.
State representative, 30th District
Note: In the Democratic primary, Suzanne Jennens of Lambertville is the sole candidate.
William Bruck, R-Erie Township
Employment history: United States Army (chief warrant officer 4), 1992-present, four overseas combat tours: Iraq 2003-04; Iraq 2009-10; Afghanistan 2014-15; Iraq/Syria 2020-21; owner, Visiting Angels Monroe, 2013-present; journeyman lineman, 2000-17; worked for various DTE contractors and Toledo Edison as a trouble man, 2008-12; Lavant Landscape, 1998-2000 .
Previous elected positions: trustee, Monroe County Community College, 2016-present.
In 50 words or less, what do you hope to accomplish if elected?: I will use my experiences and leadership skills as an Army officer, business owner and trustee to bring civility and teamwork to Lansing. I seek to get a better return on investment of our tax dollars, better school choice and a voucher system to help parents. I seek a better tax-sharing revenue system for our local municipalities, election integrity and to ensure the life of the unborn is protected.
Paul Pirrone, R-Temperance
Employment history: I was an ironworker out of Local 55 for over 20 years. I was also the apprenticeship coordinator for Local 55 for three years.
Previous elected positions: park board, trustee and township supervisor in Bedford Township.
In 50 words or less, what do you hope to accomplish if elected?: I am a man of faith and principle that will defend our constitutional freedoms. I will work tirelessly to lower income taxes, repair our roads and ensure our children are safe in schools. I will protect parental educational rights. I will continue to fight for the unborn.
State representative, 31st District
Reggie Miller, D-Belleville
Employment history: Vice chair, Van Buren Public Safety Committee; executive director, National Strawberry Festival; vice president, Belleville Downtown Development Authority.
Previous elected positions: trustee, Van Buren Township, 2012-present.
In 50 words or less, what do you hope to accomplish if elected?: If elected, I will bring an experienced and compassionate approach to leadership. We need leaders who will work for the entire state regardless of who they voted for. I will support legislation that fights for Michigan families, protects students, teachers and classrooms; defends our environment; and invests in our state’s infrastructure.
Glenn R. Morrison Jr., D-Van Buren Township
Morrison did not respond to a request for information prior to print deadline.
Dale Biniecki, R-Monroe
Employment history: For the past 45 years, I have been a truck owner-operator serving the agriculture, steel and road-building industries.
Previous elected positions: elected member of Monroe's Republican Club Executive Committee; precinct delegate.
In 50 words or less, what do you hope to accomplish if elected?: Protecting agriculture and food security will be top agendas if I am elected. We must implement policies that help preserve our fertile farmland and sustain crop production for our state and our country. If elected, I will also support successful outcomes for every student. Lastly, I intend to work for long-term policies that are designed to save taxpayers money and keep Michigan families safe.
Note: Biniecki's response was edited due to length.
Holli Vallade, R-Milan
Employment history: I have worked in marketing for close to 20 years. A large part of my career has been spent in the financial services industry and as an independent consultant.
Previous elected positions held: None.
In 50 words or less, what do you hope to accomplish if elected?: I will advocate for accountability from school administrations to ensure our teachers are being compensated fairly, our children are being educated effectively and our tax dollars are being spent responsibly. I believe all precincts in the state should be held to the same standards to ensure election integrity. And I will always take a strong stance against unconstitutional vaccine mandates.
This article originally appeared on The Daily Telegram: 30th, 31st House District candidate profiles
