Democrat
Name: Steve Losey
Age: 46
Years residing in the 51st District: Linden resident since 2002 (10 years).
Education: BS and MA from Eastern Michigan University.
Occupation: Special education teacher – Redford Union Schools.
Government-related experience: Linden Community Schools, Board of Education Trustee – Spring 2011.
Why are you running for the state house?: To give the hard working men and women of the 51st District a voice in Lansing.
The open 51st House seat you are seeking was created by the recall of Paul Scott. What are your thoughts on the recall and what impact, if any, does this have on you if elected?: Mr. Scott forgot to do what he was elected to do – listen to the people of the 51st (district). Recall elections allow voters the ability to exercise their democratic ‘check and balance? rights.
What is your plan to help improve the area’s economic condition?: Inform and educate. Information is key and education is crucial. If everyone is aware and informed, together we can make the 51st District a place where families and businesses choose to come and flourish.
What are your ideas for the funding of public education?: We need to start by giving back what was taken. Eliminating the 1.8 billion dollar tax break given to corporations by stealing from our children and our seniors would be a start.
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Republican
Name: Joseph Graves
Age: 58
Years residing in the 51st District: 23 years.
Education: MBA with a concentration in leadership ? Baker, BA Siena Heights University.
Occupation: Small business owner, Retired GM engineering manager.
Government-related experience: First-term county commissioner, Genesee County Sixth District, former township clerk/trustee.
Why are you running for the state house?: I have four adult children and 12 grandchildren who all live in the 51st District, and I want to keep them all close. If this is to be accomplished we must return this area to the once viable economic area it was when my parents moved here in the 1950s.
The open 51st House seat you are seeking was created by the recall of Paul Scott. What are your thoughts on the recall and what impact if any, does this have on you if elected?: The recall, although constitutional, was extremely expensive to the taxpayers of the district and was based on policy issues. It will have no effect on me. I believe we need to look forward and work on public safety issues and improving our economy.
What is your plan to help improve the area’s economic condition (i.e. attracting new businesses and retaining existing ones?): Sadly, our area leads the nation in two statistics. We have the highest unemployment rate as well as the highest violent crime rate in the nation. Our crime is a major deterrent to business and corporations and must be addressed. We have I-69, US 23, I-75, Bishop Airport and vacant commercial buildings throughout the county. We have to address our crime and find additional jail space immediately.
What are your ideas for the funding of public education?: Most reasonable people recognize the need to properly fund our K-12 public education system. Sadly, only 17 percent of all high school graduates are prepared for college. We have to correct this by ensuring our tax dollars are going into the classrooms.
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Green Party
Name: Cary Neuville-Justice
Age: 52
Years residing in the 51st District: I’m a third generation resident. I’ve always lived in Linden.
Education: Master’s degree in business administration, Baker College, Summa Cum Laude graduate
Occupation: Tax and business professional
Government-related experience:I was appointed in 2004 by Linden City Council to its Board of Review. Still today, I sit face-to-face with residents as we struggle to pay our taxes.
Why are you running for the state house?: I believe my tax expertise is what we need in Lansing as we create an equitable tax code and not balance our revenue shortfall on the backs of seniors, students and working families.
The open 51st House seat you are seeking was created by the recall of Paul Scott. What are your thoughts on the recall and what impact, if any, does this have on you if elected?: The recall was expensive and divisive. I want to create unity in our community. We can move forward together on issues we agree on, protecting our seniors, students and working families.
What is your plan to help improve the area’s economic condition (i.e. attracting new businesses and retaining existing ones?): Businesses tell me they need access to capital, reduction of government paperwork and better trained workers. Taxes need to be simplified and understandable. Leadership makes things possible, great leaders make things inevitable.
What are your ideas for the funding of public education?: The funding crisis we face is a result of the way we fund schools which is based on property values. We could free up funds through consolidation and innovative ways to connect classrooms creating savings.

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