Local takes aim at 51st House seat, August primary

Goodrich native Ryan Starski announced his candidacy for State Representative of the 51st District last week.
Starski, 24, a Goodrich native and 2006 graduate of Goodrich High School said he will seek the nomination of the Democratic Party.
‘We need a candidate that will speak for the people,? Starski said. ‘The recent recall of Paul Scott showed that this community is not satisfied with party rhetoric. As someone who worked for both a sitting Democratic state senator and for a Republican state representative’s campaign, I feel I have the experience and knowledge to reach across the aisle and help the parties work together for the benefit of the community and the state.?
Starski graduated from Michigan State University with a bachelor’s degree in public policy and public administration as well as a bachelor’s degree in probability and statistics He currently works at Jackson National Life Insurance.
He hopes to bring a younger perspective and an innovative outlook to state politics to assist in the continual rebuilding of Michigan’s economy, he said.
The 51st District covers Atlas, Argentine, Grand Blanc, Fenton and Mundy townships and includes the cities of Grand Blanc, Linden, and Fenton, in addition to the villages of Argentine and Goodrich.
In November, local voters narrowly recalled 51st House State Representative Paul Scott from office.
In February, township voters chose Republican Joseph Graves to fulfill a partial term that will end Jan.1, 2013. Graves received 10,290 votes (53 percent) while Democrat Steven Losey tallied 8,173 votes (42 percent).
Green Party candidate Cary Neuville-Justice had 803 votes (14 percent).