What's in this Guide
State Representative, 61 District
State House of Representatives, 61st District
Two-Year Term — Vote for 1
1. Why are you running for office? [75 word limit]
2. What are the responsibilities of the office you are seeking? How can voters know whether those responsibilities have been met? [100 word limit]
3. What are your top three priorities for the office you seek? What do you hope to accomplish? [150 word limit]
Republican
Larry DeShazor
Republican. Age 49. Portage resident. Team Manager, State Farm Insurance. B.S., U of New Orleans. Portage City Councilmember, Chamber of Commerce Business and Community Development Committee. Portage: Economic Development Corporation, Planning Commission, Community Survey Committee, 2025 Visioning Project. Kalamazoo County: Convention & Visitors Bureau Board of Directors, Environmental Health Advisory Council. Leadership Kalamazoo Advisory Board. Pilot/member, Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association; member, Rotary International. Chair, Boost Michigan Kids Coalition. Attends Saint Catherine of Sienna and Kalamazoo Valley Family Churches. www.votedeshazor.com
1. The priorities of the people of the 61st District have not been adequately addressed. Partisan politics and special interests have a stranglehold on common sense at the capital. State government must streamline regulations that impede job growth, cut waste, and operate within its means without raising taxes. We cannot wait any longer for politicians in Lansing to come to their senses, but must move beyond the outworn ideologies of the extreme left and right.
2. I will garner cooperation, facilitate collaboration, and engage in partnerships to create a climate conducive to job growth in Michigan. I will advocate for reducing debt and balancing the budget while maintaining funding for core services and related programs. I support increased emphasis on graduating and retaining college students through more equitable higher education appropriations. While moving Michigan toward economic recovery, the results can be measured by the turnaround in the growth, development and diversification of our economy and a significant decrease in unemployment.
3. (a) Economy. We must grow and diversify our economy by attracting “knowledge-based” industries such as life sciences, biotechnology and medical research, alternative energy, information technology, and homeland security. (b) Taxes. Michigan’s tax, labor and regulatory policies need to be addressed so that we can again attract investors and entrepreneurs. A first step is to repeal the Michigan Business Tax 22% surcharge and then offset revenue losses by reducing the size of state government. (c) Education. Providing support for all levels is crucial to preparing our students to succeed in a global economy. Ensuring fair and equitable state funds for WMU and KVCC will give our educators the tools and resources needed to prepare our young adults to compete in the state’s volatile job market. (d) Accomplish. My vision is for the 61st district to be the first and best choice for people who want to live and do business in Southwest Michigan.
Margaret E. O'Brien
Republican. Age 34. Portage resident. Small business owner, real estate agent—RE/MAX Advantage. B.A., international relations, MSU; Mattawan H.S. graduate. Portage City Councilwoman, 2 terms; Vice chair, Kalamazoo County Environmental Health Advisory Council. Portage Council committees: City Manager Evaluation, Property, Cable Access, Walkable Communities, Youth Involvement. Former social work administrator, Catholic Family Services; Kalamazoo County Substance Abuse Task Force member. Active volunteer with numerous organizations addressing children's issues. Life-long Kalamazoo County resident. Grew up on dairy farm; married, two middle-school children. www.margaretobrien.com
1. I enjoy working with citizens to find common sense solutions. While on council, I've worked with the community to tackle challenging issues. I fought for property owner rights, challenging the street special assessment process. I helped business owners with expansion and taxation issues. I advocated for government transparency through easier public access to city documents. I worked to protect our environment. I want to take this energy to serve our community and improve our state.
2. A State Representative has many responsibilities including working with peers to improve Michigan, passing annual budgets, serving constituents, working with the business community, advocating for the community, identifying solutions—not just problems, representing district concerns, protecting environment. Voters judge whether those responsibilities have been met through voting records, attendance at community events, input from various trade groups and constituent feedback. Since the seat is open this year, voters should look at the records of the candidates. As an elected official, I have a record voters can review. I've addressed numerous issues and want to serve our community.
3. (a) Economy/Jobs. Michigan has consistently lagged the nation in job growth while leading the nation in unemployment. We must create a better environment for existing businesses to grow and new businesses to locate here. (b) Tax reform. We need to overhaul our tax structure, not just move numbers around as we did with the Michigan Business Tax. To be competitive with surrounding states, we must simplify our business tax structure and eliminate punitive taxes. (c) Fiscal responsibility. We need to prioritize essential government services and then fund them accordingly. We need a proactive, long-term road map and a better tax estimation system. (d) My goals include working with other legislators to pass a sound budget before summer so that schools and municipalities can plan their budgets; work closely with the constituents; improve Michigan's economy. I want to ensure our state rebounds, and we can continue to invest our state.
David J. Yardley
Republican. Age 44. Texas Township resident. President of my own small business, Yardley's Campaign Solutions, which provides consulting services in the areas of marketing, public relations and fundraising. Fellow, Michigan Political Leadership Program, MSU; James Madison College, MSU; University of Phoenix. In addition to running my own business, served as Chief of Staff/Legislative Director/Campaign Manager for State Representative Mike Nofs. My legislative focus: Tax Policy, Criminal Justice and the Veterans Affairs & Homeland Security and Education Committee which I managed. www.DavidYardley.org
1. We need to focus on Michigan's future and not the past. We must make Michigan a better place for our children, for their education, for job creation, for a cleaner environment, for affordable energy, for affordable housing, a place to stay and raise their families, and to be proud of their state. "Kids can't vote, so it is up to us to choose the candidate with the most experience to find Michigan Solutions."
2. The principal ones are balancing power between the governor and the executive branch; representing constituencies, mainly people in my electoral district, but also organized groups and individuals elsewhere in the state; and making laws, formulating, reviewing and adopting. In considering whether I met those responsibilities in doing my job, constituents have to examine how well I am performing at each of these three functions.
3. (a) On Jobs. Michigan is the only state to have lost jobs in each of the last five years. If the employment drop continues through 2009, as expected, it will mean nine consecutive years of decline, the longest downward stretch on record. I am a business owner with the experience and principled leadership we need to turn Michigan around. (b) On Health Care. The cost of health care in Michigan is rising at a startling rate. Health care costs are hurting Michigan families and handcuffing Michigan job makers. I will implement innovative solutions to curb our growing health care problem. (c) On Education. I believe that every child in Michigan deserves a world-class education that prepares them for the jobs of tomorrow. As State Representative, I will work to ensure that all Michigan students receive the tools they need to succeed. We must do better to compete globally.
Democrat
Julie M. Rogers
Democrat. Age 32. Kalamazoo Township resident. Physical therapist. Master’s, physical therapy, Marquette U. Federal affairs liaison, American Physical Therapy Association, advocate for seniors’ healthcare; chair, Kalamazoo County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority Board Public Relations; member: Kalamazoo County Economic Development Council, Bronson Family Advisory Council. Coach, Girls on the Run. Member: Kalamazoo Junior League; Portage Chapel Hill United Methodist Church. Volunteer, I-94 Adopt-A-Highway. Ran for this seat in 2006; received 49.4% of the vote. www.juliemrogers.com
1. I am running to bring a positive voice for change to Lansing. For too long, the people of my district have been represented by politicians focused on narrow, divisive issues unrelated to the real work of state government. The ability to build consensus and foster cooperation are critical components to successful leadership. I believe I have these qualities and will bring this type of leadership to Lansing.
2. First and foremost, a legislator must understand the needs of the people of his or her district and be able to translate those needs into appropriate action. Currently, the 61st district does not have a local office for its citizens. If elected, I pledge to open and maintain a district service office to respond to the needs of constituents. Additional responsibilities of a legislator include voting on all legislation, attending committee meetings in Lansing, and crafting legislation that addresses problems. Voters can know whether their elected official is doing his or her job by a legislator’s voting attendance record.
3. My top priority is job creation. To help foster job creation, my focus as a legislator will be threefold: (1) maintaining excellent schools and universities; (2) building a sound infrastructure of roads and bridges; and (3) enhancing the high quality of life in Michigan that has attracted some of the world’s most talented people and successful companies. Secondly, I believe that a good education equals a good economy. Proper funding for our schools and colleges is essential if we are to be competitive in a global economy. Thirdly, I will promote environmental policies and legislation that seek to make Michigan a major player in the energy efficiency and renewable energy industries. We have the skilled talent and technology. All we need is the leadership and the will, and we can create an enormous number of highly paid, rewarding jobs right here in Southwest Michigan.