LANSING – Michigan Retailers Association (MRA) today announced the designation of 71 legislative candidates in the August 2 primary who are considered a “Friend of Retail” and deserve member support.
The designations were approved by the Association’s Legislative Committee and are based on an analysis of voting records and candidate questionnaires. The highest scoring candidates also received outright endorsements.
“These Friends of Retail have demonstrated through their votes on key issues and their answers to critical policy questions that they understand the importance of the retail industry to Michigan’s economy,” said James P. Hallan, MRA president and CEO.
“We look forward to working with them to continue to make job-creating improvements in Michigan’s retail business climate.”
Receiving MRA endorsements in the House of Representatives races are incumbents:
- Chris Afendoulis (R-73), Grand Rapids Township
- Laura Cox (R-19), Livonia
- Daniela Garcia (R-90), Holland
- Tom Leonard (R-93), DeWitt Township
- Jason Sheppard (R-56), Temperance
- Rob VerHeulen (R-74), Walker
The others receiving Friend of Retail designations are:
Incumbents
Tom Barrett (R-71), Potterville
John Bizon (R-62), Battle Creek
Edward Canfield (R-84), Sebewaing
Lee Chatfield (R-107), Levering
Triston Cole (R-103), Mancelona
Kathy Crawford (R-38), Novi
Gary Glenn (R-98), Larkin Township
Joseph Graves (R-51), Argentine Township
Holly Hughes (R-91), Montague
Brandt Iden (R-61), Kalamazoo
Larry Inman (R-104), Williamsburg
Tim Kelly (R-94), Saginaw
Klint Kesto (R-39), Commerce Township
Dan Lauwers (R-81), Brockway
Eric Leutheuser (R-58), Hillsdale
Frank Liberati (D-13), Allen Park
Michael McCready (R-40), Birmingham
Aaron Miller (R-59), Sturgis
Dave Pagel (R-78), Berrien Springs
Phil Phelps (D-49), Flushing
Brett Roberts (R-65), Charlotte
Andy Schor (D-68), Lansing
Jim Tedder (R-43), Clarkston
Lana Theis (R-42), Brighton Township
Roger Victory (R-88), Hudsonville
Michael Webber (R-45), Rochester Hills
Mary Whiteford (R-80), Casco Township
Henry Yanez (D-25), Sterling Heights
Candidates
District 1 Pamela Sossi (D-Detroit)
District 15 Terrance Gerin (R-Dearborn)
District 15 Paul Sophiea (R-Dearborn)
District 17 Joseph Bellino Jr. (R-Monroe)
District 20 Jeffery Neilson (R-Northville)
District 20 Chris Roosen (R-Northville)
District 23 Bob Howey (R-Trenton)
District 24 Steve Marino (R-Harrison Township)
District 25 Ronald Albers (R-Sterling Heights)
District 26 Randy LeVasseur (R-Royal Oak)
District 30 Diana Farrington (R-Utica)
District 32 Pamela Hornberger (R-Chesterfield Township)
District 33 Charles Karafa (R-Macomb)
District 33 Mel Koch (R-Macomb)
District 52 Randy Clark (R-Salem)
District 57 Bronna Kahle (R-Adrian)
District 64 Julie Alexander (R-Hanover)
District 66 Greg Kolich (R-Kalamazoo)
District 67 Leon Clark (R-Mason)
District 70 James Lower (R-Cedar Lake)
District 75 Tommy Brann (R-Wyoming)
District 79 Kim LaSata (R-Saint Joseph)
District 83 Justin Faber (R-Deckerville)
District 83 Matt Muxlow (R-Brown City)
District 85 Hartmann Aue (R-Owosso)
District 85 Ben Frederick (R-Owosso)
District 86 Thomas Albert (R-Belding)
District 86 Jeff Johnson (R-Grand Rapids)
District 97 Jason Wentworth (R-Clare)
District 99 Roger Hauck (R-Mt Pleasant)
District 99 Robin Stressman (R-Mt Pleasant)
District 100 Scott VanSingel (R-Grant)
District 100 John Wilterink (R-Newaygo)
District 101 Curt VanderWall (R-Ludington)
District 101 Mark Walter (R-Traverse City)
District 106 Sue Allor (R-Wolverine)
District 106 Jackie Krawczak (R-Alpena)
Michigan Retailers Association represents more than 5,000 member businesses and their more than 15,000 stores and websites in Michigan. Retail is directly responsible for more than 850,000 jobs in Michigan’s economy, and more than 18 percent of Michigan’s total economic activity (GDP) comes from the retail sector.
