KALAMAZOO, MI -- State Rep. Jon Hoadley, D-Kalamazoo, is considered the front-runner among those seeking to unseat U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, to represent Michigans 6th Congressional District.
The district has long been a Republican stronghold. Upton is seeking his 18th consecutive term in the November general election.
In addition to the Democratic Party, the other challengers appearing on the Nov. 3 ballot are members of the Libertarian and Green parties.
Libertarian Jeff Depoy, 35, is a machinist and veteran from Berrien Center. For more about his experience and campaign, visit facebook.com/jefffor6th
Green Party candidate John Lawrence, 31, is a medical dispatcher and logistics and courier transporter from Kalamazoo. For more about his experience and campaign, visit facebook.com/RapsRantsRamblings
Upton, 67, was first elected in 1986. In the August primary he secured 62.66% of the votes to defeat GOP challenger Elena Oelke.
The 6th Congressional District covers much of Southwest Michigan, including the counties of Kalamazoo, Van Buren, Cass, St. Joseph, Berrien and Allegan.
There is unfinished business we have to complete - Cures 2.0, fighting the opioid epidemic, immigration reform, and protecting the Great Lakes, among others, Upton wrote on Facebook in February when he announced he was seeking another term.
According to his campaign website, Uptons focus remains on passing important legislation to encourage job creation, protect taxpayers, help our community and enhance the quality of life for everyone in Southwest Michigan and throughout our country.
Prior to Congress, Upton worked for President Ronald Reagan in the Office of Management and Budget. For more information about the campaign and his background visit fredupton.com.
Hoadley, 37, is completing his third and final two-year term in the Michigan House of Representatives representing District 60, which encompasses the entire city of Kalamazoo and the majority of Kalamazoo Township. He was first elected in 2014.
His home turf of Kalamazoo County carried Hoadley across the finish line in the August Democratic primary. He claimed 61% of the Kalamazoo County vote and 52.24% of the overall vote.
I was really humbled that they would be willing to continue to support me on this next step that we could serve in Congress, Hoadley said after the primary. I think that as we look at the results all across the district it is clear people are ready for change.
MLive Media Group partnered with the League of Women Voters of Michigan to provide candidate information for readers. Each candidate was asked to outline their stances on a variety of public policy issues listed below.
Information on all state and federal races and many of Michigans county and local races is available at Vote411.org, an online voter guide created by the League of Women Voters.
HEALTH CARE: What do you see as the federal governments role in health care? Given the Covid19 pandemic, what are your concerns and plans regarding U.S. health coverage, policies and programs, including Medicare and Medicaid?
UPTON: Americans deserve access to high-quality, affordable health care. In 2016, we passed the 21st Century Cures Act to expedite the discovery and development of life-saving cures. Now Im working on Cures 2 to modernize how we treat diseases and deliver more cures. Regarding reform efforts, we need to lower costs and expand access. One recent success was Michigans expansion of Medicaid. In Congress, I fought to support states that expanded Medicaid eligibility. We also need to protect those with pre-existing conditions, let folks buy plans across state lines, and support telehealth services and community health centers.
HOADLEY: Our healthcare system is broken, and its going to take a lot to fix it. I want to make sure every Michigander has access to high-quality affordable health care, regardless of where they live or what their personal financial situation is. While we work through important questions and details on any specific plan, its clear that moving to a system where every American is covered will continue to bring the cost of healthcare down while helping more people live healthier lives. We need to ensure everyone can get access to the care they need, and lower prescription drug costs.
DEPOY: The Government has no business being involved with healthcare. We need to turn 180 and remove the federal government from any decisions that are rightfully only made between you and your doctor.
LAWRENCE: Medicare and Medicaid should be expanded immediately. Its unfathomable that neither the Democratic or Republican parties will pledge to support a Medicare for All system, in the middle of one of the worst pandemics in the history of the modern world. A public option is better than nothing, but the time for this was 12 years ago during Obamas first term. We are now in a crisis. Dont believe the mainsteam media; Medicare for All would actually SAVE the taxpayers $BILLIONS over the long-term. It is the fiscally conservative approach that actually works, and we should enact it immediately, before more people die
ECONOMY: What federal policies do you support for a healthy economy and to help the broader American public improve their economic positions?
UPTON: Last year we had one of the strongest economies in history. We can get there again by working on solutions that once again put us toward strong economic growth. During COVID, we worked to secure billions for small businesses through the Paycheck Protection Program. This bipartisan program helped protect more than 1.5 million Michigan jobs. Ive also introduced a bipartisan bill to expand broadband service in rural counties like here in SW Michigan. We need to ensure more Americans have access to reliable internet service. Its imperative both parties come together to work and focus on job creation and economic growth.
HOADLEY: As our economy becomes more unpredictable, financial security and stability is out of reach for Michiganders from all walks of life. The middle class of yesterday feels like it has been replaced with side hustles, benefit cuts, and outsourcing. In order to truly reinvigorate the middle-class jobs, we must work to find new solutions to the questions of the twenty-first century. We must create an American economy that invests in American workers through a living wage, new training programs, and reinvigorated unions. America has tried tax cuts and special giveaways to the biggest corporations, and they havent worked.
DEPOY: I support ending federal income taxes on the American people. This in turn will immediately give every family a 12.5-25% raise on day one. You work hard for your money, keep all of it! With this additional disposable income, robust economic growth is sure to occur.
LAWRENCE: First of all, we have to accept as a society that the glory days of American economic exploitation of the world are not coming back. China is the worlds new economic powerhouse, and it will remain that way for the near future. I fully support an expanded jobs program to train Americans and get them to work, but this alone is not enough. We need to look at systems of universal basic income, as well as the restructuring of our economic system to decentralize the power of mega-corporations in our society. We need renewed investment in local shops, farms, family businesses to give our future a fighting chance.
ELECTIONS: What federal policies do you advocate regarding elections, campaign funding and voting rights? Do you support mailing ballots to all eligible voters?
UPTON: Ive supported many commonsense, bipartisan campaign finance and voter access reforms. I supported the Motor Voter law so folks could register to vote when they go to the DMV, the McCain-Feingold campaign finance reform, and the Help America Vote Act of 2002. I also support Michigans No-Reason Absentee Ballot System. I support the Voting Rights Act and oppose all forms of voter discrimination. I have always been a vigorous defender of everyones right to vote. With the COVID-19 crisis, we must ensure folks can vote safely, which is why I voted for more resources for the USPS.
HOADLEY: Big money in our politics is standing in the way of progress being made on the issues that matter most to Michigans working families. Whether its skyrocketing prescription drug costs, addressing the impacts of climate change, or investing in our nations crumbling infrastructure, our country is facing massive threats to our economic security and the future of our families. Instead of producing results, the politics and partisanship of Washington are making matters worse. We need to get big money out of politics, end the legislator-to-lobbyist pipeline, end partisan gerrymandering, & protect everyones right to vote.
DEPOY: Every citizen has the right to vote, every citizen has the right to an absentee ballot if they request one. I do not support mailing unrequested ballots.
LAWRENCE: Theres absolutely no reason why we cant mail ballots to every registered voter. And while were at it, every American citizen should be automatically registered to vote at the age of 18, end of story. If the Republicans care so much about encouraging Americans to vote in person, then why dont they support a Federal holiday for election day? I support this. In terms of campaign funding, Citizens United really screwed the American people, but times were bad even before this decision. Corporations shouldnt be allowed to fund political candidates. Its that simple. And it shouldnt take $MILLIONS to run a campaign.
SOCIAL INJUSTICE: Do you believe there is systemic racism, economic disparity, and other social injustices which should be addressed by Congress? If so, what policies do you support?
UPTON: Protests have demanded not to just dismiss racism but dismantle it. Systemic racism is too real for people of color in nearly every facet of society. Ive marched in protests and I certainly believe Black lives matter. I cosponsored the JUSTICE Act and voted to advance the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act. Im working with my Problem Solvers Caucus colleagues on a bipartisan police reform bill. Defunding the police isnt the right answer. Law enforcement needs resources for better pay, training, and body cameras. We need to enhance community services like mental health, youth development, housing, and education.
HOADLEY: All people should have the guarantee of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Its past time to expand our nondiscrimination laws to ensure regardless of someones religion, race, color, national origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, height, weight, familial status, or marital status, everyone has the same opportunity to work hard and succeed. We need to make sure were looking at the ways people have access to justice. We need to fight for a free and open internet. We need to resist new forms of censorship and protect our rights as technology advances.
DEPOY: No, I believe that social injustice is an invention of the main stream media, in an attempt to sow division, and increase their profits at the expense of we the people. Americans by and large, are kind people. Turn off the tv and talk to your neighbor.
LAWRENCE: Clearly there are major economic and systematic injustices in this country, those arguing otherwise are burying their heads in the sand. Black and brown communities have suffered the worst from this, but in 2020 were all starting to feel the effects. Raising the minimum wage will help, but what we really need to do is tax the billionaire class and the speculators on Wall St. Cultural racism is real, but economic inequality is the fuel which feeds it. Black and brown communities lack the wealth they need to effectively fight the ruling establishment. Multi-generational poverty must end if our society is to prosper.
ENVIRONMENT & ENERGY: What policies do you support to meet U.S. energy needs while protecting our water, air and land for current and future generations?
UPTON: Ive always deeply appreciated our natural resources. I strongly supported the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative and led the charge against storing nuclear waste near the Great Lakes. I helped pass the Great American Outdoors Act, a conservation bill that will protect and preserve national parks. I was one of the first members of the Climate Caucus and opposed our withdrawal from the Paris Climate Accord. I believe in an all of the above energy plan that focuses on emerging clean energy tech like renewables as well as traditional energy solutions that keep costs low, energy affordable, and our environment clean.
HOADLEY: Climate change is already resulting in intense and unpredictable natural disasters, changes in the health of our food crops, drought and water problems, and more. We must take urgent and bold action to address the climate crisis and invest in sustainable infrastructure to meet the energy demands of the 21st century. We need to pass a Green New Deal, invest in renewable energy and transition our nation off fossil fuels, and ensure clean water for everyone.
DEPOY: Nuclear, nuclear, nuclear. Safe, zero emissions, cost effective.
LAWRENCE: The fact that Republicans (and Democrats, for that matter) are fighting to protect the fossil fuel industry is not only abhorrent, but also incredibly stupid. Even within the free market, solar and wind is making coal and natural-gas obsolete at an expedient rate. Why are we subsidizing fossil fuel industries with no long-term future? Wind and solar expansion is vital to our national security interests. The sooner we become long-term self-reliant the sooner we dont have to rely on China or the Middle East for our energy needs. And yeah, clean water, land, and air -- how is that not vital to our national security?
IMMIGRATION: What policies do you support relative to immigration into the U.S.?
UPTON: Its beyond time to fix our immigration system. Im a strong supporter of legal immigration. I support Congressional action to help Dreamers. The number one issue for SW MI farmers is immigration reform. We need a reliable workforce for all farms. Thats why in 2019 we passed the Farm Workforce Modernization Act, which provides ag workers an opportunity to earn legal status through continued ag employment, improve the H-2A visa program, and establish a mandatory E-Verify for the ag industry. Ive been a supporter of border security funding and supported efforts to fight smuggling and human trafficking on our borders.
HOADLEY: It is past time to fix a broken immigration system. We need comprehensive immigration reform. DACA and other enforcement reprioritization efforts have provided a much-needed safety net for children and young adults who were brought to the United States through no choice of their own. We must protect DREAMERs and grant them a pathway to citizenship. We can end warrantless ICE holds, stop separating families, and build strong communities.
DEPOY: We must grant permanent legal status to the DACA recipients immediately, and provide a possible path to citizenship for them. Then we dismantle the welfare state that makes illegal immigration so attractive, and begin an increase of merit based immigration.
LAWRENCE: The entire immigration discussion in the US is out of hand. Keeping people in cages and separating children from families is horrid and shameful. But beyond that, why is our discussion so focused on citizenship to begin with? Most refugees arent interested in citizenship (in the short term), they merely want legal protection to allow them to live and work within the US. This is the strategy I support. Fund the ability to process people across the border expediently, and give them legal status to live and work without fear of deportation. Take them out of the shadows. Then we can discuss eventual future citizenship.
Click here for more of MLives Election Day coverage from across the state, or here for full coverage of Kalamazoo-area elections.
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State Rep. Jon Hoadley among a trio challenging Congressman Fred Upton for the 6th District seat - MLive.com