Election 2022: Candidates for Michigan Representative District 77 in their own words – Lansing State Journal

On this year's ballot are members from both branches of the Michigan Legislature (the state House of Representatives and Senate). If you are unsure which legislative districtyou vote in, visit the Michigan Voter Information Centerto find more information including your sample ballot customized to your home address.

Whether you choose to vote absentee or in person, get to knowthe candidatesbefore you vote by reading their responses tokey issues facing Michiganders.

Here are candidates in their own words:

Logan Byrne(Democrat):I grew up on a small family farm in Attica, Michigan and relocated to the greater Lansing area when attending Michigan State University College of Law. I currently live in Dewitt.I am a board member on the Clinton Countys Zoning Board of Appeals andthe Ingham County Bar Association Young Lawyers Section board.I am an attorney with experience in Labor, Employment, and Construction Law. I also have extensive experience in Immigration and Criminal Law and have worked with various nonprofits in Michigan and California.I currently work full-time for the Ingham County Circuit Court for the Hon. Rosemarie Aquilina. Additionally, I work part-time for the Genesee County Circuit Court for the Hon. Elizabeth Kelly, where I focus primarily on the Felony Criminal Flint Water cases.I am licensed to practice law in both Michigan and California. I am an appointee to theClinton County Zoning Board of Appeals and active in the local Democratic party and Democratic organizations. Note:I have signed the Michigan League of Conservation Voters pledge to support a transition to clean and renewable energy.

Emily Dievendorf (Democrat):No response.

Jon Horford(Democrat):Over the years, Ive had many different titles in this community student, athlete, coach, volunteer, mentor, and small business owner, to name a few. My dream is to see Michigan continue to grow and thrive! One of the things I enjoy most is listening and learning from other people. My passion for listening to people means members of my district will be heard on various issues that matter to them, and it will allow me to be a better advocate.I grew up in Lansing, went to Grand Ledge schools, and, after living all over the country, my wife and I have settled where were from because we genuinely care about the people here.I believe mid-Michigan holds the key to job opportunities, a bright future for our children, and expanded affordable housing options in our state. To make that happen, we will need strong, compassionate leaders who have experience serving our community. I amCo-Chair of Grand Ledge United;Vice-Chair Young Eaton County Democrats;member of the Michigan Black Leadership Advisory Council Health Committee;Vice-Chair of the Eaton County Parks and Recreation Commission; a Michigan Political Leadership Program Fellow; a Great Lakes Political Academy Fellow; and Rotary Club of Lansing Member. Note:Ive taken the Operating Engineers 324 pledge, the #voteprochoice pledge, and the Michigan 100% Clean Energy/Climate Pledge.

John Magoola (Republican): No response.

Logan Byrne(Democrat):Michigan should continue its efforts in criminal justice reform to help address systemic racism. As an attorney, I have witnessed the inequitable application of the criminal justice system on minority communities. As a state representative, I will support modifications to Michigans jail credit laws, so that all individuals are entitled to credit for the time they served in jail or prison. Likewise, I support law enforcement training programs, which educate officers on the constitutional rights of immigrants to avoid civil rights violations and expensive civil rights lawsuits.

Emily Dievendorf (Democrat):No response.

Jon Horford (Democrat):Ignorance and extremism are costing innocent people their lives. Perpetuating dangerous lies about the threat people of color, LGBTQ+ people, and history pose to the racial hierarchy in the forms of Replacement Theory, the misunderstanding of CRT, COVID conspiracies, and the Gay Agenda conspiracy is moving America backward.I believe in racial justice for all and that the injustice of systemic racism needs to be addressed through, but not limited to: comprehensive criminal justice reform, fundamentally re-imagining police departments and their roles in BIPOC communities, and investment in BIPOC communities.

John Magoola(Republican): No response.

Logan Byrne(Democrat):(Grade B+) While COVID-19 was unprecedented, Michigan led the nation in taking necessary steps to slow the spread of the pandemic. Retrospectively, Michigan should have taken additional steps to support local businesses and to protect our most vulnerable populations, including long-term care facility populations and nursing home populations.

Emily Dievendorf (Democrat):No response.

Jon Horford (Democrat):I was happy that the state moved to shut down non-essential business in the beginning of the pandemic to help save lives and reduce congestion of our hospital systems statewide.However, I think a lack of assistance/funding from the state after limiting businesses led to the closure of many businesses that would have survived had they not been forced to close/limit their offerings.Now, federal dollars need to be spent to support the industries which were hardest-hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, including small businesses, healthcare, and education.

John Magoola(Republican): No response.

Logan Byrne(Democrat):Michigan should foster an environment that encourages the creation of new businesses, while offering incentives for well-established businesses to relocate to the state. Similarly. encouraging production of locally made products will not only strengthen our regional economy but will reinforce our states local supply chain. Additionally, regional economic development will create high paying jobs to help fight against the rising cost of groceries and other household expenses.Likewise, agriculture, starting with the family farm, has always been the bedrock of Michigan's economy. I support a comprehensive economic plan designed to protect and nurture the already robust agricultural sector in Michigan.

Emily Dievendorf (Democrat):No response.

Jon Horford (Democrat):The State can find ways to better educate existing business owners and people that would like to be business owners on best practices to keep their businesses open and doing well. Ive talked with a lot of people on the doors that had businesses but missed out on opportunities to benefit from COVID relief funding because of lack of knowledge when it came to properly filing for funding or because they were unaware of available programs that would have helped.

John Magoola(Republican): No response.

Logan Byrne(Democrat):Michigan has safe and secure elections, which has been verified through various audits. I accept the results of the 2020 election.Voting is the bedrock of our democracy and should be cherished and protected. Through voting, we assert our beliefs and chart the states political course. As such, I oppose legislation designed to infringe on this basic right and instead support measures designed to ensure that every vote counts and that all eligible voters are able to make their voices heard. I oppose any bills that are designed to make it more difficult for citizens to vote.

Emily Dievendorf (Democrat):No response.

Jon Horford (Democrat):I accept the results of the 2020 election. I am proud of the Secretary of State and all of our local Clerks for administering one of the largest and most secure elections in November 2022. Our elections are free and fair and they will stay that way if we continue making it easy for voters to vote.Thats why I support expanding equitable access to the ballot through early voting, absentee ballot pre-processing, and full funding of our election administration at all levels.

John Magoola(Republican): No response.

Logan Byrne(Democrat):Decisions about whether to choose abortion, adoption, or to raise a child must be left to an individual and their family with the counsel of a doctor or health care provider not to politicians or governmental agencies. As such, I support the right of a woman to make reproductive medical decisions about her own body. Let me be clear I will always stand with women across the nation in their right to choose, regardless of the circumstances.

Emily Dievendorf (Democrat):No response.

Jon Horford (Democrat):This is a pivotal moment for reproductive rights. With the uncertainty of the future of reproductive freedom on the line, its more important now than ever before that we elect leaders who will defend a womans right to choose.Our campaign is proudly pro-choice. People of color experience significantly worse health outcomes than their white peers when it comes to maternal and infant mortality, unintended pregnancy, and HIV infection rates as a result of a system that has not adequately prioritized their health care needs.

John Magoola(Republican): No response.

Logan Byrne(Democrat):I support the inclusion of LGBTQ+ individuals in the protections given by the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act and Michigan's Ethnic Intimidation Act. LGBTQ+ individuals should not face discrimination in employment, housing, public accommodations, or in any other aspect of life. As such, I also support amending Article I, Section 2 of the Michigan Constitution to add equal protection for individuals based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Emily Dievendorf (Democrat):No response.

Jon Horford (Democrat):We need to expand the Elliot-Larsen Civil Rights Act to include sexual orientation and gender identity as protected classes. Expanding Elliot-Larsen would also prohibit discrimination against LGBTQ citizens in employment, housing, access to public accommodations, and more.Every Michigander deserves equal protection under the law, these protections are long overdue in our state and I will continue to be an advocate for the LGBTQ community by supporting these expansions.

John Magoola(Republican): No response.

Logan Byrne(Democrat):While politicians played the numbers game, the needs of rural Americans have been neglected. These needs have not been lost on me. Farmers and rural businesses deserve representation and an advocate willing to fight for them in the Michigan House of Representatives. I support farmers and will advocate forcefully for policies that benefit rural Michigan. For example, I support an intentional allocation of state budget resources to rebuild Michigans crumbling infrastructure, which will benefit Michiganders throughout the entire state.

Emily Dievendorf (Democrat):No response.

Jon Horford (Democrat):Urban Farming. This fast-growing phenomenon has the potential to nourish the health and social fabric of communities and create economic opportunities for rural communities and farming families that could sustain through future generations.Funding and urban contaminants are two large issues that stop urban agriculture programs from coming to fruition. The cost that comes with starting up a farm or garden is expensive. Many urban farmers also are tasked with the cost of having to rehabilitate the soil to get rid of contaminants and could use the States help to kickstart more investment in this growing opportunity.

John Magoola(Republican): No response.

This story was assembled from email questionnairesmanagedby LSJ news assistants Jayne Higo and Veronica Bolanos. Contact them at LSJ-EAs@lsj.com or 517.377.1112.

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Election 2022: Candidates for Michigan Representative District 77 in their own words - Lansing State Journal