JACKSON COUNTY, MI – Both candidates for 16th District state Senate support an individual’s right to bear arms but many of their similarities end there when it comes to minimum wage laws, medical marijuana and the deregulation of utilities in Michigan.
Registered voters in the state’s 16th Senate District will pick a fresh face to represent them on the Nov. 4 general election following redistricting by state lawmakers. Voters can choose between current Republican state Rep. Mike Shirkey and Democrat Kevin Commet.
Commet is a city of Jackson resident. Shirkey lives in Clark Lake. Check out the 2014 MLive Voter Guide to find out more about the candidates.
(Related: State Senate candidates both claim local streets can be fixed without raising taxes)
Gun rights
“The right to bear arms is a truly fundamental American ideal, and I believe the government should adhere to it completely,” Commet said. “I’m a proud member of the NRA and believe that it is every American’s right to use a weapon to protect themselves and their families.”
Shirkey echoed Commet’s remarks, adding people should be trained to use the firearms.
“Hunting and enjoying the outdoors is part of our culture here in Michigan, and one I support,” he said.
Marijuana policy
Shirkey said he is “strongly in favor” of the medicinal use of marijuana in Michigan. As a state Representative, he voted in favor of a law allowing for “pharmaceutical-grade cannabis” to be sold to registered residents if the federal government ever reclassifies marijuana as a Schedule II drug fit for medical use.
“We should ensure the state government can oversee the quality and consistency of the drug,” Shirkey said. “Medical marijuana is proving to be helpful to a lot of state residents.”
Commet takes his marijuana stance a step further, favoring legalizing the drug via a public vote.
“In January of 2014, Colorado raised $3.5 million in tax revenue alone,” he said. “I want the same for Michigan. Legalizing marijuana is a sensible solution to generating tax dollars (that could go) toward roads and education.”
Minimum wage
Shirkey opposes raising the minimum wage, voting against a bill which passed in May which will raise the state’s minimum wage to $9.25 by 2018.
“Freeing the market and a better economy is the best way to raise wages,” he said. “If you start fooling around with increasing wages it’s the job opportunities in the state that will suffer.”
Commet said he supports raising the minimum wage “because I support Michigan’s working class.
“Too many people live in poverty despite having full-time jobs and no amount of economic theory can dispute the real-life evidence,” he said. “The 13 states which raised their minimum wage this year have shown higher job growth than those that did not.”
Energy deregulation
Commet said he is “entirely against energy deregulation and the jobs that will be lost in Jackson.”
Consumers Energy officials claim allowing utilities to provide up to 40 percent of the state’s energy to consumers would result in lost jobs in Jackson.
“It’s proven that energy deregulation does not work,” he said. “The best example I can think of is Enron Corporation.”
Shirkey, who pushed for the energy deregulation bill, said “it’s too early to take the option off the table.”
“I’m in favor of continuing a good, healthy debate on the matter,” he said. “Giving families and businesses the opportunity to select their utility company increases competition and cuts costs.”
(Related: Senate candidates talk education funding reforms, expanding Education Achievement Authority)
General elections will decide which candidate will take his or her four-year term as one of 38 state senators. Set to take effect after the November general elections, the state’s 16th Senate District was redrawn in 2011 to include all of Jackson, Hillsdale and Branch counties.
Jackson County residents currently are represented by Sens. Mike Nofs and Randy Richardville. State Sen. Bruce Caswell announced in February his decision to step down from the 16th Senate District seat and retire.
Contact Will Forgrave at wforgrav@mlive.com or 517-262-7554. Follow him on Twitter at @WillForgrave.
Drugs, money and guns: Senate candidates debate merits of marijuana, minimum wage, gun rights
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