Four candidates in race for Michigan Fourth Congressional District

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Isabella County’s ballot for the Michigan’s Fourth Congressional District House Representative hosts four candidates this year.

The two major party candidates are Andrew D. Concannon, D-Saginaw, and incumbent Rep. Dave Camp, R-Midland.

Concannon said his largest issues are trade, renewable and alternative energy and the economy.

“My main issue is trade,” Concannon said. “My duty is to preserve jobs still remaining (in Michigan), and to preserve the framework.”

Concannon also feels strongly about the creation of renewable energies.

“Michigan is uniquely positioned to produce alternative energy growth,” he said.

Sage Eastman, the director of communications for Camp’s campaign, said Camp is focusing on jobs in the economy, reformation of health care and quality education. Camp feels it is important to focus on tax cuts for health care and alternative fuel sources, Eastman said.

“Alternative fuel tax cuts (that Camp has implemented) will help to offset the cost of alternative fuel vehicles,” he said.

Camp, from Midland, has been in office since 1990, and serves on three House of Representatives committees.

Eastman also spoke of the issue of health care after a student’s graduation, when many students’ health benefits stop.

“College students shouldn’t have to wait for the employer,” Eastman said.

The fourth district of Michigan is the second largest in the state, with approximately 654,000 citizens represented.

The district includes the counties of Clare, Grand Traverse, Gratiot, Isabella, Kalkaska, Leelanau, Mecosta, Midland, Missaukee, Montcalm, Osceola and Roscommon, and the majority of Saginaw and Shiawassee counties.

Concannon also spoke of the significance of investing in education. He plans on increasing funding for pre- kindergartens and pushing for legislation to make college more affordable. He said he is prepared to serve in Congress.

“I (will place) the interest of the district first,” Concannon said.

Camp’s tax credits will help to offset the cost of individual health care, Eastman said.

Concannon practices law as a partner at Smith Bovill of Saginaw. He received an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings, a law directory that evaluates lawyers. An AV award is the highest in its category.

Camp began his political career in the Michigan legislature before his election to Congress, and specialized in adoptions.

Camp currently serves on the House’s Ways and Means Committee, Health Subcommittee, and Human Resources Subcommittee. Camp also serves on the Coalition on Adoption, which is a bipartisan group who provides information and advice to Congress, Eastman said.

Camp has authored legislature through Clinton’s and Bush’s terms in office, said Eastman. Camp is also working on job efforts so that Michigan has a stronger economy, Eastman said.

“Camp is a leader in tax reform and alternative energy,” Eastman said .

There are approximately 78,000 college students in the district, Concannon said.

“I encourage students to get engaged,” Concannon said. “(The local level is) where change comes from.”

The two other representatives on the ballot are John Emerick, representing the U.S. Taxpayers Party, and Allitta Hren, from the Libertarian Party.

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