Democrat Bette Pierman announces candidacy for 21st District state Senate seat
BENTON HARBOR, MI Democrat and Benton Charter Township resident Bette Pierman has announced she will challenge Republican state Senator John Proos for his seat in the November election.
Pierman, a 64-year-old retired secondary public education teacher and lifetime member of the state and national education associations, said she has decided to run against Proos because she can "no longer sit on the sidelines attempting to make a difference by voting and contacting elected representatives in a state that has been heading in the wrong direction on a vast number of issues under the actions of the current legislators in Lansing."
Sen. Proos would have us believe that Michigan is turning around," Pierman said in a prepared statement announcing her decision. "However, the evidence clearly demonstrates that there has been a steady and consistent, ongoing attack on middle and lower income individuals and families in many areas: public education, the tax disparity (raising taxes on middle class taxpayers, lowering taxes on the rich), environmental protection, womens and childrens health issues, workers rights, LGBT issues, climate change, gun safety, sustainable agriculture, and many others."
Pierman goes on to say that she believes its time to replace "career politicians" who only represent special interests.
"I will represent the interests of the people of the 21s District," Pierman said. "I know what it is like to struggle to make ends meet. I know what it is like to be unemployed. I know first-hand what it is like to experience age discrimination while searching for a job."
Pierman said she would support tax breaks on the middle class to stimulate job creation and would work to reform public education through eliminating "failing" programs such as the Education Achievement Authority.
Proos, who was first elected in 2010 after serving three terms as the 79th District state Rep., announced in late February that he would seek re-election to his current post.
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Democrat Bette Pierman announces candidacy for 21st District state Senate seat