Two newcomers will vie for the state House of Representatives 27th District in the Nov. 8 general election.
Democrat Jaime Churches takes on Republican Bob Howey for a two-year term.
The 27th District consists of Wyandotte, Riverview, Trenton, Gibraltar and the south half of Southgate.
Each candidate was asked three questions with a 75- to 100-word limit for each response. Responses over the word limit were edited. Howey did not respond to the questionnaire by publication time.
Jaime Churches
1. List your education, and experience or skills you possess that make you a qualified candidate.
I attended Madonna University and earned my bachelors in Integrated Science and Elementary Education and my Masters in Educational Leadership. I have been teaching 5th grade for over ten years now in the Downriver area. I have taught in Gibraltar, Woodhaven-Brownstown, and Grosse Ile Township school districts. I’m also a former vice president of our local teacher’s union. As an educator, organizer, and advocate I hope to promote lasting, positive change for our Michigan families.
2. If (re)elected, what are three issues facing your constituents would you work to address and how?
Three issues facing our constituents that I would work to address are infrastructure, local economy, and education. I would continue the work that Rep. Camilleri has done with our infrastructure by fixing our train crossings and by making improvements to our local roads and bridges. I would also help secure funding and support growth and investments for small businesses and entrepreneurs around the community. Lastly, I would sponsor legislation to create programs and hire specialists for improving literacy in our classrooms along with allocating more funding per student to increase learning resources and materials needed for our students’ success.
3. Why are you seeking (re)election? Why should people vote for you?
For me, politics are personal. As a teacher, I have had to teach with limited curricular resources due to lack of funding. I have spent my own money to fund learning experiences for my students. I know many of my fellow educators do the same. I have seen how the government’s lack of investment has devalued the educational profession. I am seeking election because I think we need more people in Lansing that truly represent our hard-working Michigan families. I’m passionate about serving the community and our state to positively impact businesses, classrooms, health systems, and the environment.