Pubdate: Sat, 02 Aug 2014
Source: Oakland Press, The (MI)
Copyright: 2014 The Oakland Press
Contact:  http://www.theoaklandpress.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2114
Author: Aftab Borka
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?275 (Cannabis - Michigan)

MARIJUANA BALLOT BIG ISSUE IN HOTLY CONTESTED 27TH HOUSE DISTRICT

Michigan's 27th District House seat is turning out to be a
hotly-contested primary race with five Democratic candidates and two
Republicans aiming for victory.

The district covers areas of Berkley, Ferndale, Hazel Park, Huntington
Woods, Oak Park, Pleasant Ridge and Royal Oak Township.

Marijuana seems to be one of the hottest topics for the voters in the
district in recent months as civil right groups have managed to put
the pot legalization on the ballot in these communities.

Andrew Robert Cissell, a Democrat, has been personally involved in
submitting the required petitions for the ballot.

Cissell has a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration. He says
his top priorities include a better education system, clean air and
civil rights issues like marriage equality, marijuana legalization and
women's rights.

The remaining four Democratic candidates include Joe McHugh, Rudy
Serra, Robert Wittenberg and Kelli Williams.

McHugh is a former marine officer who has twice been deployed. He is
also a business owner and claims to have 14 years of sales, finance
and economics experience.

His top legislative priorities include green energy, private
investment for infrastructural updates and women's health.

"Politics and health don't mix. We'll battle to remedy this
injustice," he said in his answer to the League of Women Voters
questionnaire.

Serra has a Doctorate in Law and claims to have a proven record of
success as a judge, a county commissioner and a school board member.

His top priorities include jobs, quality public education and human
rights.

Wittenberg is a licensed life and health insurance advisor. He also
serves as a board member for the Tri-Community Coalition of Oak Park,
Huntington Woods and Berkley.

His top legislative priorities are proper funding for the cities,
investing necessary resources in the public schools and repealing the
senior pension tax and making Michigan a 'no-wait state' for in-home
health care services.

Williams currently works as a Service Representative at AT&T Michigan
and also as Secretary-Treasurer for CWA Local 4004, Detroit.

Her top legislative priorities include better education, repealing
Right to Work law and better transportation.

The Republican candidates are Mark Manier and Michael
Ryan.

Manier claims to have been endorsed by U.S. Congressman Kerry
Bentivolio. He graduated from Oakland University with a Bachelor of
Arts in political science.

Ryan owns dental practice facility and his top priorities include
Michigan's own version of The Affordable Care Act, better
transportation and better infrastructure.

The seat these candidates are fighting for is being vacated by Ellen
Cogen Lipton of Huntington Woods who has been serving as a State Rep.
from the same district since 2008. Woods is now contesting for a State
Senate seat in the 11th District.
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MAP posted-by: Matt