Up North Progressive

Two Democratic Party candidates are running in the August 5th primary election for the Michigan State House 106th district. Robert Kennedy of Harrisville and Scot McKenzie of Alpena.

Scot McKenzie is a longtime resident of Alpena. He graduated from Alpena High School in 1980. McKenzie is a small business owner. He began his consignment shop and auctioneering business in 1990. He holds benefit auctions for charities and also services his community as a Alpena County Commissioner. He enjoys hunting and fishing and considers himself an avid outdoor sportsman.

As a county commissioner Scot McKenzie has seen first hand how tax cuts for large corporations in Michigan have negatively affected Alpena County. Less money for public schools, fire and public safety have caused deep cuts and raised taxes on those you can’t afford to pay more. As state representative McKenzie will go to Lansing and fight to restore funding for Michigan’s public schools. He also will work to restore the Earned Income Tax Credit, the per-child deduction on income taxes, and remove the pension tax on senior citizens. He will support small, local business by investing in Northern Michigan tourism which creates more jobs for the people of the 106th district and protects the environment, maintaining Northern Michigan’s natural beauty.

Endorsements for Scot McKenzie’s candidacy include The Michigan Education Association, Michigan Teamsters No. 43, Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters, Laborers International Union of North America, Local 1098 Linda Ayres, Alpena County Democratic Party Chair, Former State Representative Andy Neumann, Ed Black, Alpena County Prosecuting Attorney, Frank Matthews, retired Alpena Fire Chief, Robert Adrian, Alpena City Fire Department Captain & Alpena County Commissioner, and Ron Menghal, retired Teacher and MEA member. To learn more about Scot McKenzie you can visit his campaign website.

Robert Kennedy of Harrisville grew up in Oscoda. He attended college at Alpena Community College and Michigan State University. He taught school for 38 years in Oscoda. Kennedy served six years with the Michigan Army National Guard and volunteers with first grade classes and the Future Farmers of America for Alcona Community Schools. Kennedy can trace his family back 115 years in Northeastern Michigan.

Through talking to residents of the 106th distrcit, Robert Kennedy knows many people don’t believe their voice matters anymore on the issues. Their current representative votes the opposite of what people in the 106th district want, such as the medicaid expansion. Kennedy wants to reverse this trend I Lansing and as state representative ensure that the people’s voice of the 106th district are heard. Issues Kennedy will work for is the protection of Natural Resources, marriage equality for all of Michigan’s’ citizens. Kennedy wants to reverse the economy-killing practices of the current Michigan state government by reversing tax cuts for corporations and taxing pensions for seniors. Both of these problems stalled economic growth in the state, and Northeast Michigan was no exception. Kennedy would also work to repeal right to work, product women’s reproductive freedom, and restore full funding to Michigan’s public schools.

To find out more about Robert Kennedy and help with his campaign, you can visit his website.

Make sure to get out and vote on August 5. Support our Democratic Party candidates.