What's in this Guide
U.S. Representative in Congress, 6th Districts
State Representative, 60th & 61st Districts
Kalamazoo County Commissioners, Districts 3, 6, 11, 12, 16
U.S. Representative in Congress, 6th District
Two-year term Vote for one.
- Provide biographical information including your qualifications for the office of U.S. Representative and the reasons you are running.
[100 words] - In this time of high unemployment, what are the most important things that should be done to improve the nation’s economy? [100 words]
- What are your top two other priorities, why did you select them, and what actions would you take regarding them? [100 words]
Republican
Jack W. Hoogendyk
Website: www.HoogendykForCongress.com
- Jack Hoogendyk has been a long-time leader for core conservative principles in Michigan. He served as a crisis pregnancy center director in the 1990s and was subsequently elected to the Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners and then to the Michigan House of Representatives for three terms. His record is solidly conservative: he has never voted for a tax increase, has been repeatedly honored with Right to Life of Michigan’s endorsement, and has continually supported and sponsored legislation to limit government and promote liberty. It’s time for Jack to take that record to Washington, where principled leadership is so desperately needed.
- The economy rests on the backs of businesses and entrepreneurs. Jack believes that government must be limited to allow the private sector to flourish. Although the government should enforce standards of ethics in order to prevent abuse, it must allow the free market to function without government hindrance so that the American spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship may thrive and businesses may grow. It is only then that jobs can be created and the economy can be restored. Therefore, the tax and regulatory burdens on businesses must be reduced.
- One of Jack’s first priorities is to reduce the size of government by refusing to vote for measures which expand government control beyond its rightful domain. Jack strongly opposes bailouts and federal infringements on the authority of the states and the private sector. Jack also believes that we must reduce the national debt by cutting wasteful spending and keeping the national budget restrained to its constitutionally authorized functions. Jack will not support pork barrel projects or inefficient uses of taxpayer dollars.
Fred Upton
Website: www.uptonforallofus.com
- Following graduation from college, I served as a special assistant to Congressman David Stockman and worked for President Reagan in the White House Office of Management and Budget. I am currently the Ranking Republican on the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy and the Environment. My senior position on the Committee and proven track record of getting things done for Southwest Michigan makes me the best person to promote commonsense legislation that will help create jobs, remove roadblocks for business, and allow Michigan’s economy to thrive once again.
- We must find ways to expand economic growth, enhance innovation, and provide education and training for the jobs of the future. There are actions that we could take immediately to help spur Michigan’s economy; such as allowing a tax deduction for interest on car payments, renewing and expanding the home-buyer tax credit, expanding tax deductions on income for small businesses, and fast-tracking applications for nuclear power plants so they can create jobs. Also, we must not implement costly new taxes and mandates on business, such as a new “cap and trade” scheme or an employer health insurance mandate.
- We must also rein in government spending. America is $13 trillion in debt, and on a path that is unsustainable. I have voted against trillions of dollars in new spending over the last two years alone and was an early supporter of the GOP earmark ban. I have cosponsored constitutional amendments to require a balanced federal budget and cap government spending at 20% of GDP except during wartime. I also support decreasing our reliance on foreign oil, which is why I support an “all of the above” energy plan that includes renewable energy, nuclear power, and clean coal technologies.
Democrat
Don Cooney
Did not respond in time for publication