SAGINAW, MI - Five Democratic candidates will compete for the partys nomination to replace term-limited state Rep. Vanessa Guerra, D-Bridgeport Township, as 95th District Representative, while a lone Republican candidate will likely advance uncontested.

The 95th District includes the cities of Saginaw and Zilwaukee, as well as the townships of Kochville, Zilwaukee, Carrollton, Buena Vista, Bridgeport, Spaulding and James. Guerra, first elected to the seat in 2014, is now running for Saginaw County Clerk. The primary election on Tuesday, Aug. 4 will determine the final candidates for each party heading into the Tuesday, Nov. 3 general election.

Brandell Cortez Adams, a candidate for Michigan's 95th District state representative in 2020.

Brandell Cortez Adams

Adams is a legal secretary with a history of volunteer work and community involvement, working with the Saginaw County Democratic Party and NAACP. He holds a bachelors degree in psychology from Saginaw Valley State University and an associates degree in business at Cornerstone University. He graduated from Bridgeport High School and has more than 15 years of business experience in hotels and hospitality, according to his website.

Clint Bryant

Clint Bryant

Bryant is a labor relations representative, a former union president and former member of Saginaw City Council. He was appointed to city council in 2016, winning reelection in 2018 and resigning in February 2020 to pursue the 95th District seat. He touts a long list of community involvement in Saginaw, his hometown and birthplace.

Carly Hammond, candidate for state representative in Michigan's 95th district, leads a chant during a rally for peace with Iran in front of the Saginaw County Courthouse on Jan. 9, 2020.Riley Yuan | MLive.com

Carly Hammond

Hammond is an activist and community organizer operating in Flint and Saginaw. She helped organize and campaign on behalf of residents during the Flint Water Crisis and later worked to promote voter turnout in Saginaw County. She attended Frankenmuth High School and Oakland University.

Amos O'Neal, county commissioner for Saginaw County's 9th district, speaks during a town hall meeting at Buena Vista Community Center to discuss a possible police-fire merger on Jan. 3, 2020.Riley Yuan | MLive.com

Amos ONeal

ONeal is a Saginaw County Commissioner and former Saginaw City Councilman. He served on council from 2003 until 2016, when he resigned from his position as mayor pro tem to run for his seat on the commission. He is a graduate of Saginaw High School and holds a bachelors degree in business administration from Northwood University.

Democratic candidate James Graham did not provide biographical information to The League of Women Voters Vote411, which provided candidate info to MLive, or respond to its questionnaire.

The lone Republican candidate for the seat is Charlotte DeMaet, who did not provide biographical information and has not yet responded to Vote411s candidate questionnaire. As the only name on the Republican ballot, DeMaet will likely face off against the Democratic victor of the Aug. 4 primary showdown during the general election on Tuesday, Nov. 3.

What is your position on the role of public funding of education in Michigan? What measures do you support/propose to improve educational outcomes and accessibility for all Michigan students?

ADAMS: Our kids are the future so its important that we invest in them. There is a significant technology gap in our local schools causing kids from wealthier parts of the State to have an advantage upon entering college and trade schools. Lets bring our kids up to speed and secure their future by providing necessary education funding. Providing a good education is critical to our way of life.

BRYANT: As a former substitute teacher its my professional opinion that Michigan has never made a solid investment in education. A $1.5 billion fund from the lottery and the gas tax are ineffective. We have to reinvest in our education system to ensure our students have the technology and resources to ensure they are proficient and that their schools are safe. Furthermore, it is imperative that we develop career pipelines with our intermediate school districts for education, agriculture, and healthcare.

HAMMOND: Our state legislature NEEDS to stop stealing from the school aid budget. We have a priorities problem with k-12 education, not a scarcity problem. The legislature, instead of supporting public education, moves its money into economic development programs that subsidize corporate industries- meanwhile setting up accountability programs that punish poor districts for having substandard education outcomes. Supporting our education means putting public schools first, it means recognizing that outcomes are determined by ZIP Code, and we need to equitably fund school districts.

ONEAL: Increased School Funding is critical to support our public education systems. Additionally, increased pay for teachers and advanced training education for all new and tenured educators as well. Important measures would include Infrastructure for all schools in Michigan that would support access to intranet technology for all students. Also, Investment in special education and special needs students would provide the learning platforms for all special education and special needs children in the State of Michigan.

What policies do you support to increase jobs and help Michigan residents improve their economic positions, in general and given the pandemic?

ADAMS: Our jobs are a part of our everyday lives and they are often what binds us together as a community. We need a system that promotes lifelong learning with job training and preparation that helps both those entering the workforce and those who are currently working on the job. Such training fosters continued improvement to ones marketability and skills in order to take advantage of new opportunities. Local Business - Small businesses are the growth engine of any economy and I will work to support and enhance the local business community and ensure that wealth generated here, stays here.

BRYANT: To ensure that the families of Saginaw County and the surrounding communities are able to bounce back from financial hardship that has affected them in recent years, I plan to work with my fellow legislators to draft a comprehensive Economic Recovery Plan that: Focuses on collaboration between the private and public sectors, Offers relief for families under hardship,Re-invests in our state schools and increases access and affordability to home loans and educational loans

HAMMOND: In my campaign, Ive introduced the concept of a dignified wage. It includes at least a $15/hr living wage tied to inflation, but also sets a standard for public assistance. Our unemployment and welfare system in Michigan is broken- this pandemic has put that issue on full display. In order to create sustainable, well-paying jobs, Michigan must further job training programs, as well as revitalize its public education system. Unions must be protected and welcomed. Also, the Green New Michigan plan includes the creation of tens of thousand of Green industry jobs.

ONEAL: In the wake of COVID-19 and the related unemployment, our economy is hurting. Our families are hurting. We must put people back to work in the areas that are most essential to the quality of life in Michigan. Small businesses are the backbone of our communities economy. We will focus on providing and bolstering recourses and technology that support the creation and the expansion of small businesses for business owners. Also, our policies will work with labor groups and businesses to help cut out some of the paperwork to make it easier to get what they need.

What state policies do you support regarding Michigan elections, voting and campaign funding? Do you support mailing ballots to all eligible voters?

ADAMS: Im pleased to see an Independent Citizens Commission handling the redrawing of electoral districts. Michigan effectively has Vote by Mail with our No Reason Absentee Voting law.

BRYANT: I support mailing ballots to all eligible voters. The passage of Proposal 2 and 3 have propelled Michigan to creating a safer and more secure democracy. I collected signatures for both proposals because the residents of Michigan deserve to have fair legislative districts and ease of access to letting their voices be heard. Access to voting is paramount to a true democracy. Proposal 3, a constitutional amendment passed by the voters has eliminated barriers to voting and we must do all we can to keep these constitutional amendments. Voting should be confidential and convenient.

HAMMOND: Michigan is ranked worst in transparency, accountability, and dark money in politics. I absolutely support mailing ballots to all eligible voters, AND not requiring postage costs for the return of those ballots. Also, we must: Reform dark money laws Get rid of revolving doors in Lansing Make our legislature much more accessible and transparent- a Lansing interface that allows citizens to track bills, contact legislators, etc for free. Have stricter guidelines for lobbyists operating in Lansing Fix our term limits Reform our guidelines for political appointments and legislative assistants

ONEAL: Our democracy rights includes the right to a fair and just election process. Therefore, I support same day registration, vote by mail, reduced barriers to voting, straight tickets voting and strong campaign funding guidelines.

What actions or policies do you support to protect Michigans water, air and land for current and future generations? What is your position on energy efficiency and renewable energy?

ADAMS: Michigan is unique among states in that it features some of the most beautiful and pristine waterways, forests and other natural features in the entire country. It is imperative that we protect these features for future generations to come. Further, not only will renewable energy sources help to ensure the maintenance of our natural resources but can be the foundation to a resurgence in Michigans economy. Lets make this state a literal powerhouse by creating green energy right here!

BRYANT: We can no longer pretend climate change is not an urgent environmental crisis. Frankly, if we do not begin to prioritize the health of our dear planet, our quality of life will greatly suffer. One of Michigans greatest assets is its natural resources. Saginaw was once home to 14 industrial manufacturing plants which provided a unique set of challenges from poor air quality to water contamination. We must hold polluters accountable for their failure to act which has greatly accelerated this crisis.*

HAMMOND: I believe that Michigan needs to implement appropriate portions of the Green New Deal in its policy. We have the perfect opportunity, while creating plans to revitalize the degraded infrastructure in our state, to implement mass transit, green technology, and other environmentally-friendly initiatives. Instead, we have horrendous environmental regulations, and allow corporate polluters free reign to dump waste into our lakes, rivers, and aquifers. We must hold polluters accountable, and build an infrastructure that hopefully helps us avoid climate disaster NOW.

ONEAL: Protecting the environment is one more spoke on the wheel of economic development and strong infrastructure. Enacting and enforcing strict standards to protect our air, water, and soil in the 95th district adds healthcare protections as well. Protecting our environment is protecting ourselves and our families. We will work to ensure EPA standards are enforced and strengthened to protect our Great Lakes, our great trust and pride.

How would you address the racial, economic, health, education, etc. inequities, including Michigans 20% of children and 17% of seniors living in poverty?

ADAMS: A few steps not at all exhaustive recommended by University California Berkeley that will decrease inequality are as follows: increase the minimum wage, expand the Earned Income Tax, build assets for working families, invest in education, make the tax code more progressive, and end residential segregation.

BRYANT: COVID-19 did not only illuminate disparities in our healthcare and educational system; but has also forced us to acknowledge again that women and communities of color are not treated equally in America. As we navigate through this health crisis, the heaviest burdens have been placed upon women. Not only is a woman most likely to provide well over 50% of care and schooling in the home, but women are more likely to be considered essential workers. It is the women who will help America recover, and if theyre the ones helping us recover, theyre the ones that need our protection.*

HAMMOND: Fostering social justice in Michigan means dismantling systems that exploit and benefit from injustice. Currently, our governing system and practices here in Michigan perpetuate systemic injustice. Dismantling that system is a difficult and long process, but it starts by electing new, strong leaders that are ready and willing to challenge the status quo. Its time to rid Michigan of corruption and corporate interference in our democracy. Its time to demand that we take issues of injustice and inequity seriously. Its time to elect new, bold leadership to do just that.

ONEAL: We must all work hard to deconstruct or dismantle systemic and discriminatory practices that impact many of the inequities black and brown citizens experience.

Do you believe that Michigan has a gun violence problem? If so, what measures would you support to alleviate this problem?

ADAMS: A lack of gun safety education as well as a general knowledge surrounding Second Amendment rights are whats missing from gun violence dialogue. Further, courses meant to teach conflict resolution should be introduced in schools in communities where gun violence prevails.

BRYANT: Gun Violence is a problem across our Country. However I recognize every American citizen has the right to bear arms. But they should not be used as props to incite violence or rebellion or fear.

HAMMOND: I agree with the 97% of Americans that want to see universal background checks (with no expiring waiting period), loopholes closed, and a ban on assault weapons. To go further, our state regulations when it comes to registration of guns is an absolute mess. For instance, one can legally own a long gun without any registration. We have to clean up our standards so that registration is compulsory and consistent.

ONEAL: No, I believe its the lack of access to opportunities that provides a path forward for many individuals in this country.

*Some of Bryants answers were cut off mid-sentence due to a character limit on the Leaguw of Woemn Voters form. MLive removed these partial sentences from his answers where it impeded clarity.

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Originally posted here:

5 vying for Democratic nomination to replace Vanessa Guerra as 95th District rep - MLive.com