Five seek Senate Street
Five 35th District candidates for State Senator will be on the August 3 Primary ballots, three Republicans and two Democrats.
Vying for the Republican slot are Darwin L. Booher, 67, of Evart, a term limited State Representative, Kevin Davis, 40, of Rapid City, a retired Department of Natural Resources Conservation Officer Sergeant and former Road Commissioner, and Gary Finstrom, 56, of Cadillac, who is the Wexford County Sheriff.
Democrats in the Primary race are Roger Dunigan, 70, of Suttons Bay and George E. Huffman III, 33, of Remus.
Voters going to the polls will have the option to vote in either the Republican or Democratic Primary, but not in both.
The two winners will face off in November to claim the seat of term-limited Senator Michelle McManus.
The 35th State Senate District includes the 11 counties of Leelanau, Benzie, Manistee, Wexford, Kalkaska, Missaukee, Roscommon, Clare, Osceola, Lake and Mecosta.
Michigan State Senators serve four-year terms concurrent with the governor’s term of office. Terms for senators begin on January 1.
On the Republican ballot, Booher, a former bank president and Osceola Township Supervisor, is a farmer. “It would be easy for me to retire back on my farm,” he said, “but I feel driven to work towards a Michigan where my grandchildren can have jobs available to them in order to stay in Michigan and raise their children in this great state. We need all of the experience we can get in Lansing to get the state back on track.”
Facing Booher is Finstrom, now filling his fifth term as Wexford County Sheriff. He said “The people of Michigan can’t afford any more taxes.” He favors overhauling the State’s tax structure and favors a 3.1 percent reduction in higher education. He also favors reduction or freezing State employee pay and benefits.
Also trying for the Republican slot, Davis, who served as the DNR State Hunter Education Field Coordinator and now works as a directional drilling supervisor, said, “Michigan has become much like a sinking ship. Residents are fleeing the state with their families while they have some life preserver of a savings left in an effort to stay afloat. Michigan needs new navigational leaders…who are willing to listen to the residents and act accordingly.”
Independent Democrat Dunigan, a 36 year resident of Leelanau County, was the CEO of the Great Lakes Community Mental Health Authority for 30 years serving Grand Traverse and Leelanau Counties. A licensed Social Worker and Professional Counselor, he was a Roman Catholic priest for eight years and now does research, consultation and legal assistant services for law firms. He said, “My professional life as a priest and mental health executive has been dedicated to service. This Senate position is an opportunity to continue that role. My main goal is to solve the budget issues and improve the economy. The Michigan economy will not recover until there is a significant increase of good paying jobs.”
Facing him for the Democratic slot is Huffman, a country singer who is also a self-employed businessman in lawn care, construction and auto detailing. The youngest candidate, he said he wants to repeal the business tax surcharge, cut government waste and improve health care. “It’s common sense and knowing the difference between right and wrong,” he said. “I hope to put a bill in to cut the pay level in half for all elected officials.” Huffman, the first candidate to file for a spot on the ballot, has been granted a campaign finance reporting waiver, which means he expects to raise and spend less than $1,000 on his campaign.
