Our Representatives

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Representative in Congress District 1 | We’ve Only Just Begun – The Momentum Continues

As a candidate in 2016 I said you would have to take a chance with me and allow me to earn your trust. I have proven to you that I honor my word, and that I will fight for the issues that matter most to Michigan’s First District. We have taken our positive message to Washington, D.C., and I am breaking through the bureaucracies and changing the status quo – and we are just getting started.
We have much work left to accomplish, and I am honored to be your only pro-life, pro-2nd Amendment, limited government, and conservative in the race for U.S. Congress in Michigan’s First District. Accountability, Responsibility, and Experience in leadership are the tools I bring with me to fight the bureaucracies and entrenched politicians.
Our shared conservative values have guided me through my career in the United States Marine Corps, from a Lieutenant out of college, to a Lieutenant General when I retired – and these are the values I’m bringing to Washington. Read more

Michigan State Senator 32nd District

Sen. Jon Bumstead a lifelong resident of the 34th Senate District. He was born in Fremont and is a graduate of Newaygo High School and the Newaygo County Career Tech Educational Center Building Trades Program. He began his own construction firm 39 years ago and over the years, Bumstead Construction has built and remodeled many homes. In 2010, Bumstead was elected to represent the 100th District in the Michigan House of Representatives. He served three terms in the state House and was term limited in 2016. In that time, he served as vice chair for the House Committee on Appropriations, and was a member on several appropriations subcommittees. In 2018, he was elected to represent the 34th state Senate District, which includes the counties of Muskegon, Newaygo, and Oceana. Bumstead currently chairs the Natural Resources and Environmental Quality Appropriations subcommittee. The senator is also an avid sportsman. He is a member of the National Rifle Association, Michigan United Conservation Corps and is the former president of the Safari Club International’s Michigan chapter. He has hunted in Canada, the Artic, in northern Australia and in Africa. Read more

State Representative 103rd District

Let’s find someone less radical than Betsy Coffia of Traverse City! Contact: BetsyCoffia@house.mi.gov  (517) 373-3817
Address:  Michigan House of Representatives  |  P.O. Box 30014  |  Lansing, MI 48909-7514
Coffee Hours for Benzie County are the Second Monday of the Month at 1pm at Red Door Cafe, 19631 Maple Street, Lake Ann

State Representative 104th District

Making Government work for you – not against you
I will continue to work for you to: Increase government transparency and accountability,
Secure childcare funding for working families, Protect our natural resources, Promote and support local tourism, Enhance skilled & building trades employment opportunities, Bring millions of dollars to Northern Michigan for mental health services More Info

County Commissioners

Bob Roelofs | District 1 | Almira Township east of Reynolds Road

Art Jeannot | District 2 | Platte Twp, parts of Lake, Almira and Inland Twps

-Benzie County Commissioner since 2017
-Benzie County Resident 25 years
-Local business leader, owner and developer of affordable housing
-30 years administrative and executive management experience including President and Chief Executive Officer of Honor State Bank
-Active member of the Benzie County Community

Current Activity Includes:

  • Worked with the Whitmer administration to secure $5.2M grant for the Point Betsie Lighthouse.
  • Overseeing delivery of services to our Seniors. Benzie County is considered a model for the State of Michigan.
  • Allocating the appropriate funds to provide public safety programs for youth and schools.
  • Working with State Senator Jon Bumstead in promoting senate bill 565 to protect our most valuable resource, WATER!
  • Partnering with a variety of internet providers to implement county wide broadband at a competitive rate.
  • County Chamber of Commerce
  • Benzie County Convention and Visitors Bureau
  • Brownfield Re-Development Authority
  • Solid Waste Commission
  • Zoning Board of Appeals
  • Benzie Senior Resources (Meals on Wheels)
  • Economic Development Corporation
  • Networks Northwest (MI Works) Workforce Development Board
  • Proven record for fiscal responsibility

Karen Cunningham – Democrat | District 3 | Frankfort, Crystal Lake Township and part of Lake Township

 

Rhonda Nye | District 4 | Benzonia Township

Committed to working towards solutions to the issues facing Benzie County, including broadband expansion, affordable housing, childcare, infrastructure improvement, and protection of our natural resources.

“It has been my honor to serve as a Benzie County Commissioner for the last four years. My husband and I have raised our family in Benzie County and intend to retire in this beautiful community. I’m passionate about the issues facing our area and ask for your vote to work toward solutions for the next two years.”

  • Resident of Benzie County for 44 years
  • Small Business owner
  • Serves on the Benzie Leelanau District health Department Board, the Centra Wellness Board, and the Benzie County Economic Development Committee
  • Michigan State University Graduate
  • Served as Benzonia Village Clerk for 11 years
  • Liaison to the Benzie County Landbank

 

Tim Markey | District 5 | Homestead Township

Evan Warsecke | District 6 | Colfax and Inland Townships

Gary Sauer | District 7 | Gilmore, Blaine, Joyfield and Weldon Townships

I am retired from the United States Postal Service, having worked for 35 years in the Traverse City area living in Benzie County.  I was raised locally by my parents; my father still lives on our family farm on Mick Road and works the 0rchards. I am a proud veteran, having served in the United States Air Force during the 1970s.  Married to my wife, Cindy for 46 years and together we have raised 3 children and now have 2 granddaughters.My full time job with the USPS started early in the mornings and left me with my afternoons free.  To fill that time I became a licensed builder and built houses in Benzie and Grand Traverse Counties.  I know the value of honest labor and jobs completed and done well.  I also developed skills in budgeting, both expenditures and income, to produce balanced budgets without deficits.  I am considered to be a fiscal conservative by my friends and supporters and will continue to work to bring the County budget in line with the desires of the local residents while providing appropriate services to the County as a whole.  “I don’t want to spend a dollar if I don’t know precisely where it is coming from in advance”.  “We can’t continue to spend money that really belongs to our children and our grandchildren.  They should do that – not us.  Our job is to look at our priorities today and take care of them within today’s funding limits.  Setting those priorities is the most important thing a County Commission can do.”
I would like to express my gratitude for the past 8 years that the voters have given me to serve our community, I welcome the opportunity to discuss any concerns with all who are interested.