Elections 2022: Candidates for Ingham County Board District 4 in their own words
On this year's ballot are candidates for the Ingham County Board of Commissioners (15 seats). If you are unsure which county district you vote in, visit the Ingham County website to find more information.
Whether you choose to vote absentee or in person, get to know the candidates before you vote by reading their responses to key issues facing Ingham County residents.
Here (below) are candidates in their own words. To return to the main election package, click here.
Meet the candidates
Todd Tennis (Democrat): I was born and raised in Lansing, attending Waverly High School. I have been a homeowner in Lansing since 1996 and I currently live on the south side with my wife, Cheryl. I provide governmental consulting (lobbying) for a number or organizations in Lansing such as the Amalgamated Transit Union, the Elder Law and Disability Rights Section of the State Bar and the Michigan Home and Community Services Network. I was first elected to the Ingham County Board of Commissioners in 2006 and have served on the board since then. I have chaired the Human Services Committee and represent the county on several advisory boards such as the Potter Park Zoo Board, the Ingham Health Center Board, and the Racial Equity Task Force. I feel that my experience and relationships in the community make me a good fit to represent south Lansing and parts of Delhi Township on the Ingham County Commission.
Jack C. Jordan (Republican): No response.
On systemic racism
Todd Tennis (Democrat): I am working with the Ingham County Racial Equity Task force to bring ideas to the County Commission to address systemic racism. One example is a proposal to amend our county purchasing policy to screen for vendors who have had substantiated complaints with the Michigan Department of Civil Rights and bar them from being awarded county contracts.
Jack C. Jordan (Republican): No response.
On the COVID-19 response
Todd Tennis (Democrat): I feel that we were very fortunate to have an infectious disease expert like our Health Officer Linda Vail in her position during the most devastating health event in 100 years. She kept us up to date on the latest trends in the disease, the newest scientific findings, and the best practices to prevent the spread of the disease and minimize the impact on our health care infrastructure. We were not perfect, but every decision we made was with the best available knowledge at the time, and I believe our actions prevented unnecessary deaths from a disease which has killed over 1 million Americans.
Jack C. Jordan (Republican): No response.
On economic stability and inflation
Todd Tennis (Democrat): It is interesting that, after decades of consensus that high unemployment was a problem, the current wisdom is that low unemployment (i.e. a “tight labor market”) is a huge cause for concern. A great president once said that “the only thing we have to fear is fear itself,” and if he was right, then the constant drumbeat of fear mongering by the media certainly is not doing us any favors. Media talking heads continue to pretend that the current inflationary pressure is only due to government spending, while completely ignoring factors such as supply chain issues, a devastating war in Europe, and rampant price gouging by international corporations. I feel that the best way to deal with inflationary pressures is to address those latter issues first with policies such as the CHIPS bill that will make America less dependent on overseas manufacturing.
Jack C. Jordan (Republican): No response.
On election security
Todd Tennis (Democrat): Despite years of falsehoods from political extremists, our elections are some of the most secure in the world. The largest threat to our elections indeed comes from the very voices who are undermining the public’s faith in them with false allegations and outright lies. My biggest concern is that the people who tried to send fake electors to Lansing, illegally confiscated election equipment and fomented an actual insurrection at our nation’s Capitol building might actually someday grab the levers of power and thusly end free and fair elections in this country forever.
Jack C. Jordan (Republican): No response.
On public safety
Todd Tennis (Democrat): This is a question I have wrestled with a great deal. I am very concerned that the streets I and my family walk and drive seem to have a shooting every week. I am hopeful that the programs Lansing and Ingham County have funded in the past year focused on youth will help reduce the amount of violence. There is no single solution to this problem however. We need to have a combined approach that includes law enforcement, local schools, community organizations and a robust mental health system to reduce the rates of gun violence. Having fewer guns on the street certainly would not hurt either.
Jack C. Jordan (Republican): No response.
Other issues of import
Todd Tennis (Democrat): No response.
Jack C. Jordan (Republican): No response.
This story was assembled from email questionnaires managed by LSJ news assistants Jayne Higo, Veronica Bolanos and Jack Moreland. Contact them at LSJ-EAs@lsj.com or 517.377.1112.
This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Election 2022: Ingham County Board candidates in their own words
