FeedsDecision 2006
Challengers confident about success and voter response
Candidates vying for two statewide offices are confident voters will respond to their efforts to win a state representative or senate seat when they file into the polls next Tuesday.
Two Republicans campaigning for the open District 8 are Fred Kalsic (R-Taylor) and Guy Addison Rupert (R-Southgate). The top vote getter will face incumbent State Senator Ray Basham (D-Taylor). District 8 is made up of the cities of Romulus, Wayne, Allen Park, Ecorse, Lincoln Park, Melvindale, Riverview, Southgate, Taylor and Wyandotte.
Kalsic — who has run for state representative and county commissioner in the past — said he’s confident a Republican with good ideas can win the District 8 seat despite its heavily Democratic roots.
“I’m not a typical Republican,” he said. “I’m college educated and I have a blue-collar job, and I’m a member of a union, and those things are more in line with the people in the district. I’m for a small government and against reckless spending, and there aren’t very many people in Lansing that can say that.”
Kalsic also said people in the district that he’s talked to are more intrigued by his message than by his party.
“People are not that easily boxed in,” he said. “I know Republicans who – if they ever went into a country club – would either be the busboy or the waiter.”
In District 22 (Taylor and Romulus), incumbent State Rep. Hoon-Yung Hopgood (D-Taylor) will compete against Democratic challenger Ken Johnson. The top vote getter will then take on Ben Armstrong (R-Taylor).
Johnson — who has the extra burden of running against an incumbent — said he’s not concerned about a lack of name recognition in Romulus.
“I think things are so bad at a statewide level that people are seriously starting wonder what they’re getting from our representation,” he said. “People that I have had a chance to talk to say they’re dissatisfied. They’re struggling with (increased utility) bills, gas prices, (and) job security. Things are really bad out there.”
Both districts are heavily Democratic, with less than 50 percent voting for Republicans in the last two elections.
For his part, Hopgood said he’s confident his constituency will turn out the vote in his favor Tuesday.
“We’re just encouraging people to get out there and vote,” he said. “This is an important election, and I’m comfortable with the job I’ve done so far.
“I don’t think you can ever relax too much in the final days of campaigning, though,” he added. “I’ll still be working to get out the vote.”
The city has reported no changes in polling locations for this election. The polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
