NORTHERN MICHIGAN — In the upcoming primary for Michigan's 107th House District, incumbent Neil Friske is facing challenger Parker Fairbairn on the Republican ticket.
As the only two candidates in the contested primary election, the winner will compete in November against Democrat Jodi Decker. The 107th district includes the counties of Charlevoix, Emmet and portions of Mackinac and Chippewa.
The News-Review invited both candidates to respond to a series of questions selected by the paper, which reserved the right to edit the responses to account for space limitations, proper use of grammar and Associated Press style guidelines.
Parker Fairbairn
Q: What are your plans to support economic growth and job creation in our area?
A: Supporting economic growth starts with decreasing inflation. Families across the 107th District have been crushed by rising costs and all Lansing wants to do is increase taxes and grow bureaucracies. Good paying jobs are essential to making our district a place families can live, work and play. As a businessman and fifth generation northern Michigander, supporting pro-job policies like cutting taxes and reining in spending will help spur the environment for job growth. Important in that effort is my commitment to being more than just a “No-vote” on every single bill: I believe this differentiates me from others in office and will yield actual results.
Q: How will you ensure transparency and accountability in your office?
A: My election will restore integrity to this office by engaging with the people of the district through consistent coffee hours, my attendance at community events and the use of social, print and other forms of media to keep the public informed about my votes and proposals. We are at a crossroads as conservatives — I commit to always show up for the people that elected me to serve them.
Q: How do you plan to involve constituents in the legislative process and keep them informed about your work?
A: My campaign has been about the people. By keeping regular communication with community members, local elected leaders and area stakeholders, I’m able to keep my ear to the ground on key issues concerning our district. I’m proud to have the support of so many of our area city managers, mayors, commissioners, trustees and board members as well as business owners and citizens and I’m fully committed to communicate with all in our district about their needs and how I can help advance their cause.
Q: What are the most pressing issues facing our district, and how do you plan to address them?
A: Cutting Inflation: Northern Michigan has disproportionately felt the effects of a government that forgets about them and the place of a state representative who will fight for them. Supporting policies that cut inflation and lowering the burden that government regulation adds to individuals and businesses is a key priority.
Housing: Finding public/private partnerships to solve the housing shortage and crisis for this district. Utilizing Brownfield and RAP (Revitalization and Placemaking) grants to help transform vacant buildings in our downtowns to create new housing options. This will not only help alleviate the housing shortage, but improve our vibrant downtown communities.
Sault Ste. Marie-based Five Thirty Eight, LLC, is one story we will be following. This first-time developer received a $1 million grant award which will restore a historic building and create new housing for city residents. There is no one-size-fits-all government solution that will solve our needs, but we deserve a representative who will work to find solutions.
Child Care: Many workers in our area are having a difficult time finding child care that will allow hard working parents to work and grow in their careers. I will work to find ways to solve this problem with creating incentives for businesses to help curb the cost of child care.
Job Growth: One thing we can do is to invest in career technical education such as welding, building trades and even robotics. We can create a job-ready workforce upon high school graduation. This will help grow the labor force and meet the demands of growth in our communities.
Q: Why did you decide to run for this office, and what unique qualifications do you bring to the role?
A: We need leadership that is accountable and serves with dignity. We do not have that right now, and we deserve better. Dozens of community members from across the district penned a letter encouraging me to run because we do not have real representation. My wife Victoria and I are proud to call Emmet County home. Having been born and raised here, I came home after getting my master's degree at Northwood University and have started my own small business, have worked in management, and served on multiple boards — including the Emmet County Farm Bureau Board.
Q: Can you share an example of a time when you successfully worked to bring about a positive change in your community?
A: Housing is a paramount concern to the people of the 107th district. Serving on the Emmet County Brownfield Redevelopment Authority (ECBRA) I have worked with community leaders to move the needle forward on solving the housing crisis. One major success of the ECBRA is the Michigan Maple project and the Lofts at Lumber Square. This project revitalizes a vacant building and creates housing: a double victory.
Q: How do you plan to balance the needs and interests of different groups within our district?
A: The all-or-nothing approach to government doesn’t work. I want to make sure all voices are heard in our district and work towards solutions that benefit the many. By maintaining working relationships with community elected leaders, and holding regular office hours, I will keep my finger on the pulse of events and the demands of the district to affect change in Lansing.
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Neil Friske
Q: What are your plans to support economic growth and job creation in our area?
A: As a state representative in Michigan, my plans to support economic growth and job creation in Northern Michigan include: 1. Investing in infrastructure development, such as upgrading roads, bridges and broadband connectivity, to enhance accessibility and attract businesses. 2. Supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs through voting “Yes” on tax cuts and deregulation, while voting “No” on all tax increases, government growth and unnecessary regulations. 3. Fostering tourism growth by promoting Northern Michigan’s natural beauty, outdoor recreation opportunities and cultural attractions. 4. Encourage private workforce development and training programs that align with in-demand industries like health care, technology and manufacturing. 5. Attracting new industries by streamlining regulatory processes. 6. Strengthening partnerships with local universities and colleges to support innovation, research and talent retention. 7. Enhancing regional collaboration and coordination to amplify economic development efforts. These initiatives aim to diversify and strengthen Northern Michigan's economy, create good-paying jobs and improve the quality of life for residents.
Q: How will you ensure transparency and accountability in your office?
A: I am committed to ensuring transparency and accountability in my office. Here are some steps I am taking and will continue to take: 1. I will hold regular town hall meetings in different parts of the district to listen to constituents' concerns and provide updates on my work. 2. I will continue to provide legislative updates on my website and social media, explaining my votes and the reasoning behind them. I am one of only three representatives in the entire House who do that. 3. I maintain an open-door policy, encouraging constituents to reach out to me or my staff with questions or concerns. 4. By taking these steps, I aim to build trust with my constituents and ensure that the office is transparent and accountable to the people of Michigan.
Q: How do you plan to involve constituents in the legislative process and keep them informed about your work?
A: As a state representative, I believe it's essential to involve constituents in the legislative process and keep them informed about my work. Here's how I plan to do it: I will hold in-person town hall meetings; I will send out regular email newsletters; and, I will provide detailed explanations of my votes. My district office will have regular hours for constituents to meet with me or my staff to discuss their concerns. I will maintain an active presence on social media platforms to share updates, behind-the-scenes insights and engage with constituents in real-time. By implementing these strategies, I aim to ensure that my constituents are well-informed and have a voice in the legislative process.
Q: What are the most pressing issues facing our district, and how do you plan to address them?
A: The most pressing issues facing our district in Northern Michigan include: 1. Economic development and job creation. I would vote in favor of any clean legislation that would attract businesses and support local entrepreneurs. 2. Access to affordable health care. Ensuring rural health care services, addressing mental health concerns and reducing prescription drug costs would be among my priorities. 3. Environmental conservation. I will continue to vote to protect our natural resources, especially our freshwater lake system and preserve our outdoor heritage. 4. Infrastructure and transportation. I will always vote to maintain our roads, bridges and waterways to ensure safe and efficient travel. 5. Staffing crisis in Northern Michigan prisons. I collaborate with local stakeholders, businesses and community leaders. I’d advocate for partnerships to leverage federal and private investments. By working together, we can build a brighter future for Northern Michigan.
Q: Why did you decide to run for this office, and what unique qualifications do you bring to the role?
A: I decided to run for this office because I believe my values, experience and skills make me uniquely qualified to serve our community. Furthermore, I felt that the cause of freedom desperately needed another unwavering ally in Lansing. As a lifelong farmer and entrepreneur, I understand the importance of hard work, self-reliance and responsible stewardship. My experience managing our family farm and growing a successful property management/landscaping company has taught me the value of fiscal responsibility, innovative problem-solving and effective leadership. As a conservative, I believe in limited government, not picking winners and losers, not robbing Peter to pay Paul, lower taxes, less regulation, individual freedom and personal responsibility. I'm committed to maintaining these principles in the office, ensuring that our community's needs are met efficiently and effectively.
My unique qualifications include:
- Practical business experience, having built and managed a successful company
- Proven leadership skills, having led teams and made tough decisions
- Deep understanding of our community's needs, having lived and worked here my entire life
- Commitment to conservative values, ensuring responsible governance and never compromising my values just to make friends and backroom deals.
I'm not a career politician, but a public servant dedicated to making a positive impact. I brought common sense, integrity and a strong work ethic to the role, ensuring our community thrives for generations to come. I intend to continue to be the biggest hurdle and roadblock to the socialist incrementalism that is slowly taking over Michigan.
Q: Can you share an example of a time when you successfully worked to bring about a positive change in your community?
A: I've worked to bring about positive change in my community by introducing legislation to address public safety concerns by introducing a package of bills to provide additional resources for local law enforcement agencies to combat illegal immigration. This legislation aims to empower law enforcement to arrest and deport illegal immigrants, working with community leaders and law enforcement to find solutions to this critical issue. I've introduced legislation to prevent the Chinese government from purchasing our precious farmland. I've introduced a "Silver Alert" bill to help protect our elderly and vulnerable people. My goal is to ensure Michigan remains a safe and welcoming place for all legal visitors and residents.
Q: How do you plan to balance the needs and interests of different groups within our district?
A: I plan to balance the needs and interests of different groups within our district by upholding the principles of individual liberty, limited government and traditional values. I will work to ensure that everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed, without ever favoring special interests or imposing undue regulatory burdens on any one group. My door will always be open to listen to constituents' concerns, and I will strive to find common-sense solutions that benefit everyone, not just a select few.
— Contact reporter Annie Doyle at (231) 675-0099 and adoyle@charlevoixcourier.com
This article originally appeared on The Petoskey News-Review: Incumbent Friske faces challenger Fairbairn in primary for Michigan's 107th House seat
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