Eight candidates running to replace Glardon in 85th State House district

A crowded field of eight candidates, including many political newcomers, is vying for the right to represent the 85th District in the Michigan House of Representatives.

Voters on Aug. 2 will choose from among four Democrats and four Republicans. The top vote-getter from each party will face off in November. The winner will succeed Ben Glardon, R-Owosso, who is term-limited and cannot run again. The district includes all of Shiawassee County and Brady, Brant, Chapin, Chesaning, Fremont, Jonesfield, Lakefield, Maple Grove, Marion and Richland townships in Saginaw County.

• Republican Hartmann Aue would like to put his experience as acting Shiawassee County administrator to work in the Legislature.

The Owosso native earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Michigan State University in 2007, and received a master’s degree in public administration in May from Central Michigan University.

Aue, 34, said he was first inspired to be a legislator after serving an internship at the Capitol.

“I realized I wanted to be there, but I also realized I didn’t have the qualifications yet,” he said.

As acting administrator, Aue said he has led the county to an $800,000 surplus.

• Republican Robert Cottrell is a first-time candidate for office. The Merrill resident said he is running because he is “extremely disappointed” with the current legislature.

“I’m the only one who does not owe anything to anyone. I owe no political favors,” Cottrell said.

Cottrell, 38, holds a degree in chemistry from Saginaw Valley State University and works for a tech firm in Troy on websites for hospitals and universities.

If elected, Cottrell said he plans to visit a different community in the district each week. “I want to make sure everyone’s voice is heard,” he said.

• Republican Ben Frederick hopes to bring a mix of local and state government experience to bear in the Legislature.

Frederick, 34, is a lifelong resident of Owosso. He has served on the Owosso City Council for nine years and as its mayor for the last seven. He is a legislative aide to State Rep. Joel Johnson, R-Clare.

Frederick attended MSU before earning a bachelor’s degree in 2014 in interdisciplinary studies from Liberty University.

“I feel ready to hit the ground running as a legislator on behalf of our area,” he said.

Frederick said accomplishments during his tenure on the council include passing policies that have encouraged investment in downtown job growth, maintaining city services through lean budget years and using public-private partnerships to renovate the Lebowsky Performing Arts Center and the Polar Express train.

• Republican George Sode ran against Glardon in 2014. He’s making another run at the seat, he said, because “I haven’t seen my goals, my objectives or my platform accomplished in Lansing.”

The Maryland native, 52, has lived in Shiawassee County since 1992. A chemical engineer by education, Sode holds a degree from the University of Illinois and works as a regulatory compliance officer for a private firm that handles automotive aftermarket chemicals.

If elected, Sode’s goals include policies to revitalize downtowns, especially in smaller and rural areas; reducing barriers to farming, especially to young people who might be helped by a low-interest loan; and replace constraints put on teachers regarding how they teach.

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• Democrat John Horvath believes he has the tools to correct the dysfunction he sees on a statewide level.

“I feel I can do something about that,” Horvath said. “I want to make a contribution to the whole state in general.”

Horvath, 63, is in his second term on the Shiawassee County Commission, where he chairs the economic development committee. He also sits on the county planning commission and the governance committee, and is one of two county representatives to Genesee/Shiawassee/Thumb Michigan Works!

• Democrat Anthony Karhoff, 32, unseated a 28-year incumbent in 2012 to become Shiawassee Township supervisor.

The township is currently finalizing plans for a multi-purpose facility which is set to contain township offices, an election room, a community room, fire department, library and emergency shelter, which Karhoff said is being built without a tax increase.

He raises chickens, ducks and geese on a farm outside Bancroft, has worked for Home Depot since 2003 and is also a sergeant with the Vernon Township Fire Department.

Karhoff said is running because he believes he can effectively represent the district in Lansing.

“We need someone there for the people, someone who knows what the people need and want,” he said. “I want to be the voice of the community, of the people, of my neighbors.”

• Joyce Suprenant, 67, said her years in state and local government would benefit her in the Legislature.

Surprenant retired after spending 31 years at the Unemployment Insurance Agency. Locally, she served as Shiawassee County Probate Court deputy registrar and assistant court reporter, and she also served on a Misclassified Employee Task Force under former Gov. Jennifer Granholm.

This is her first try for elective office.

“l looked at the federal level and the state level, and people are losing ground. I decided to try to make a change,” she said. “I view this as way to give back to the community as much as I can.”

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Online

See this story online for the 2016 LSJ Voters Guide, or go to lsj.com/elections.

Contact Dawn Parker at (517) 377-1056 ordlparker@lsj.com. Follow her on Twitter at @arwen22266.