Q&A with the candidates for the 37th State Senate race
The Aug. 2 primary for Michigan's 37th State Senate district has a crowded field this election cycle, with four candidates running on the Republican ticket and three on the Democratic ballot.
The area covers the northernmost parts of the Lower Peninsula and the eastern end of the Upper Peninsula, including all or parts of Antrim, Charlevoix, Cheboygan, Chippewa, Emmet, Grand Traverse and Mackinac counties.
The News-Review sent questionnaires to all of the candidates to learn more about them. Candidates George Ranville (R) and Jim Schmidt (D) did not respond to the questionnaire.
The other responses are:
Triston Cole (R)
Q: Introduce yourself.
A: Triston Cole, age 46, state representative (2014-2020) former truck driver, professional hunting guide property/ranch manager, agriculture teacher and small agricultural business owner.
Q: How long have you lived in the community?
A: I have lived in Antrim County since 1978, my wife Stacy and I have been in our current home since we got married in 1998. We have raised our three daughters (ages 13,18 and 20) here, they have been educated in the local schools and our oldest is now building a home here. We have been members of Eastport Baptist Church for over 20 years.
Q: Have you ever run for public office before?
A: I was blessed to serve as state representative for the 105th District from 2014-2020. My last term in the House I was elected by my colleagues to be Majority Floor Leader. I also served as chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, vice chairman of both the Agriculture Committee and Government Operations Committee. I led the Michigan legislative sportsmen's caucus for four years, it is the largest sportsmen's caucus in the nation. I have thousands of votes recorded, and have had 35 Public Acts signed into law.
Q: Why are you running for office?
A: I am running for State Senate to continue the work for Northern Michigan I started while serving as representative. Over the period of time that I served, I developed the knowledge, relationships, experience and developed successful strategies to be very effective for constituents. This includes passing legislation, stopping legislation and helping people and businesses navigate our state's complex system of government. I have a complete understanding of legislative policies and procedures and will be effective minute one day one. I am looking forward to continuing to be one of the most effective members of the state legislature as the next senator in the 37th district.
Q: What are the biggest challenges facing the 37th district today? What could the state government do better?
A: So many issues and challenges are facing the 37th senate district at this time. Recovery from government mandated shutdowns, housing, jobs, election integrity, mental health, the environment, the list goes on. Broad brush approaches are still being pushed in Lansing. We must have clarity and protocols in place for when questions/problems arise that lay out clear procedures. Programs are being put forward that need to be adjusted to work in Northern Michigan. Work must continue to reduce and stabilize the administrative rule process and the size/growth of government overall. We must continue to work on getting resources directly to our infrastructure. We also face a looming crisis in the energy sector. I served on the energy committee and saw first hand what we are dealing with and I have the experience to continue working to fix it. We must work towards a more robust connected electric grid across and between our peninsulas and work to increase generation and reliability. There are very exciting things on the horizon regarding carbon sequestration and decarbonization of fuels used in society today. I am looking forward to continuing to work with the DNR regarding forestry management, hunting and fishing regulations and access to our 4.5 million acres of state land. We also saw/experienced during the high water levels, problems for property owners working with MDEGLE ( Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy) regarding shoreline stabilization to protect their property.
Q: What are the district's greatest strengths? What is the district doing well?
A: The greatest strengths in this district are the people and our environment. We live, work and play in one of the most beautiful places in this state. We are a national as well as a global destination for tourism as well as a place to live. We continue to improve access to our waterways and have a robust trail system for both motorized and non-motorized, including multiple water trails and dark sky areas. We have an incredible amount of lands that are open to the public for a multitude of recreational opportunities. This is something I successfully worked to expand while I was representative.
Q: What will be your top priorities, if elected?
A: The top priorities that I have aside from continuing the work I did as state representative and what is listed above, is to be open, available and transparent with my constituents. I have made available and published my personal cell phone number for direct communication and accessibility. I held and will continue to hold coffee hours and open public meetings around the entire district when it is convenient for people to attend. I am looking forward to continuing to be a solid, proven, trusted, effective voice for our communities. I am endorsed by Michigan Farm Bureau's Agri-PAC, Michigan Right to Life, NRA-A+, Michigan Coalition of Responsible Gun Owners, Michigan Health Choice Alliance, Sen. Wayne Schmidt, Sen. Jim Stamas, Rep. Sue Allor, Cheboygan County Sheriff Dale Clarmont, retired MSP Sargent Don Bailey and many others. Please visit my website tristoncole.com and I humbly ask for your vote Aug. 2.
John Damoose (R)
Q: Introduce yourself.
A: I am a small business owner from Harbor Springs. For more than 20 years, my business has been focused on producing television programs that bring people together and celebrate the ideas and character that made America a great nation. My wife, Margo, and I have been married for 27 years and have four kids ranging in age from 8 to 25 years old. I recently celebrated my 50th birthday.
Q: How long have you lived in the community?
A: I have been part of the Harbor Springs community for more than 40 years. My wife and I lived in Traverse City early in our marriage, but became full time residents of Harbor Springs in 2012.
Q: Have you ever run for public office before?
A: I am currently serving as the state representative for the 107th District.
Q: Why are you running for office?
A: I am running for Senate because I believe we are facing very serious times which require serious solutions. Throughout my career, I’ve worked across a broad range of industries and with top leaders in the political, military, and nonprofit arenas. This experience has given me the ability to dive deep into real issues to help find common sense solutions. I am also running to bring people together across the political divide – we need to change the level of discourse in the public square and get back to the idea of leading with grace and civility.
Q: What are the biggest challenges facing the 37th district today? What could the state government do better?
A: We have real issues facing our district, and we should expect far more from our candidates than just political slogans and emotional appeals to the base. Among my top priorities is to help build a year-round economy. Tourism serves us well, but we must help build a climate that works for our citizens for more than just the three months of summer. That means addressing complicated issues like housing, broadband access, and workforce development and retention. I have also made a real priority of addressing our mental health crisis and keeping schools strong through local control.
Q: What are the district's greatest strengths? What is the district doing well?
A: Ours is the most spectacular region in the state. Everyone who visits immediately sees the natural beauty and the great towns and cities scattered throughout Northern Michigan and the eastern Upper Peninsula. Clearly, though, our people are the real strength of the region. We are filled with fiercely independent, tough-minded people who know how to get things done. We want government out of the way of our businesses, schools and our culture. We don’t like to rely on government hand-outs, and we won’t put up with government shutdowns and restrictions. We most importantly have tremendous faith in God. Those are the foundational principles that made America a great nation and – when unencumbered by government mandates and overreach – tend to make a region thrive.
Q: What will be your top priorities, if elected?
A: My top priorities are addressing the real-world problems we are facing like our mental health crisis and finding policies that encourage and empower the private sector to solve the housing and workforce shortage. I will also defend the role of parents in education, and work to keep Lansing out of the way in favor of local control over things like short term rentals, schools, and other key areas. Lastly, I will continue to work to lower taxes, make sure our elections are secure and fair, and ensure that our state budget is focused on projects that can make a lasting impact instead of endless government programs that will saddle our kids with debt for generations to come.
William Hindle (R)
Q: Introduce yourself.
A: I am 57 years old, have been married 34 years and have been a business owner for 25 years doing home inspections and remodeling.
Q: How long have you lived in the community?
A: I have lived in the Charlevoix area for about 17 years.
Q: Have you ever run for public office before?
A: I have not held an elected office before but was on my planning commission for six years.
Q: Why are you running for office?
A: I am running for the state senate seat to give the people of the 37th district something they haven't had: the constitutional representation that We The People deserve. I am an American First, Michigan First candidate. As the next senator, I will not be controlled by lobbyists and large corporations; the people will be my lobbyists. Too often lobbyists' money means control. The 37th district seat belongs to We The People, not large corporations and lobbyists.
Q: What are the biggest challenges facing the 37th district today? What could the state government do better?
A: The availability of truly affordable housing, too many regulations on farmers (eg: being forced to purchase seeds they don't want), the gas prices are too high, staffing shortage, and who regulates short term rentals.
Q: What are the district's greatest strengths? What is the district doing well?
A: The people of District 37. We have many local, small businesses that provide fantastic products and jobs. These businesses include, but not limited to, organic farms, maple syrup producers, micro breweries, and wineries. In addition, we have a fabulous and thriving tourist industry.
Q: What will be your top priorities, if elected?
A: Top priorities are:
Remove the voting machines and go back to hand counting the ballots
Eliminate the state income tax and reduce other taxes to improve the economy in Michigan
Protect our 2nd amendment
Protect the life of the unborn
Keep Line 5 open and have the tunnel built
Randy Bishop (D)
Q: Introduce yourself.
A: Randy Bishop, 64, husband (38 years), father, grandfather and great-grandfather. Talk radio host.
Q: How long have you lived in the community?
A: (Since) June 2007.
Q: Have you ever run for public office before?
A: No.
Q: Why are you running for office?
A: Go to my campaign's website, randybishop.org, and then click on "Issues."
Q: What are the biggest challenges facing the 37th district today? What could the state government do better?
A: Leadership on the issues that are most important to the people. Go to Lansing and introduce legislation that would lower the costs of living and improve the quality of life for the residents of the 37th State Senate District and state.
Q: What are the district's greatest strengths? What is the district doing well?
A: Our natural resources and its scenic beauty, our quality of life. What is the district doing well? Unfortunately, very little.
Q: What will be your top priorities, if elected?
A: Cut car insurance rates in half, eliminate the personal and corporate income tax, eliminate many of the bureaucratic departments in Lansing, end the monopoly that DTE and Consumers Energy have on our electric market to lower prices and improve customer service through competition, fix our public schools and return Lansing to a part-time legislature.
Barb Conley (D)
Q: Introduce yourself.
A: I am a retired oncologist, wife, mother living in Nothport, Leelanau County. I am 69 years old and in terrific health. I have been fortunate to work in the academic sector at the University of Maryland and Michigan State University as well as at the community level seeing patients at various rural practices. I have also led national clinical trials, working with people at over 1,000 clinical sites as well as pharmaceutical companies and device companies, as well as with government agencies such as the Food and Drug administration. I am active in the community as a member of League of Women Voters, Rotary and appointed member and current chair of the Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department Board of Health. I am actively working to bring more mental health care workers to the area and retain those we have through the efforts of the Community Health Innovation Region.
Q: How long have you lived in the community?
A: We bought our house in Northport in 2007 and have resided there permanently since 2016.
Q: Have you ever run for public office before?
A: Yes, I was elected to the Northport Public School Board of Education in 2020 and currently serve as vice president of that board.
Q: Why are you running for office?
A: I have been listening to people in the 37th district for some time. I love Michigan but it needs to be a place where all Michiganders can have a secure future. We need more affordable housing, more accessible health care, including mental health care, better paying year round jobs - paying a livable wage, clean water and air and an investment in education that will prepare students for 21st century jobs. Women need to have reproductive choice. And I believe we need to work together to lessen or prevent those who would harm themselves or others with guns, realizing that the majority of gun owners do keep their guns safely and respect firearms for what they can do. I want to and am capable of working with various types of individuals, nonprofits and business to achieve those ends.
Q: What are the biggest challenges facing the 37th district today? What could the state government do better?
A: I believe our biggest challenge is loss of our young families. Government at all levels needs to work on the problems affecting all the residents; lack of jobs paying a living wage and lack of attainable housing will drive young families out. When families move here they will need excellent education as well as child care and access to health care. All the priorities above will help them stay here, and will allow all residents to have good quality of life and a secure future. We need to support our current businesses and attract new businesses that will employ our citizens. We also must help farmers thrive as they are integral to our security in this area. We need to do this while respecting our duty to preserve clean water and air for future generations.
Q: What are the district's greatest strengths? What is the district doing well?
A: This district is full of good, hardworking people. There are also a number of thoughtful people who want better for Michiganders, and there are those with novel ideas that will help the area grow. The district has several efforts that are beginning to provide the Michigan we want for the future - examples are (list is not all encompassing of the efforts) Groundworks, chambers of commerce, Rotary and other nonprofits, For Love of Water and 20 Fathoms and many more. Many counties and municipalities are trying to encourage more attainable housing. Native Americans are participating in more economic development and housing as well.
Q: What will be your top priorities, if elected?
A: In no particular order: Attainable housing, improving access to health care, attracting and retaining businesses that will pay a living wage; protecting our civil rights, protecting our environment, improving our schools and lessening the cost of trades or higher education. We can do all of these and we should.
More: Candidates vie for State Senate and House seats in local forum
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Contact reporter Annie Doyle at adoyle@charlevoixcourier.com
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Q&A with the candidates for the 37th State Senate race
