Help us improve in just 2 minutes—share your thoughts in our reader survey.
Eric Sabin
Eric Sabin (Democratic Party) ran for election to the Michigan House of Representatives to represent District 85. He lost in the general election on November 6, 2018.
Sabin completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2018. Click here to read the survey answers.
Elections
2018
General election
Incumbent Ben Frederick defeated Eric Sabin in the general election for Michigan House of Representatives District 85 on November 6, 2018.
General election
General election for Michigan House of Representatives District 85
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Ben Frederick (R) | 61.8 | 23,692 |
 | Eric Sabin (D)  | 38.2 | 14,652 | |
| Total votes: 38,344 (100.00% precincts reporting) | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Eric Sabin advanced from the Democratic primary for Michigan House of Representatives District 85 on August 7, 2018.
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Michigan House of Representatives District 85
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Eric Sabin | 100.0 | 6,750 |
| Total votes: 6,750 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Incumbent Ben Frederick advanced from the Republican primary for Michigan House of Representatives District 85 on August 7, 2018.
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Michigan House of Representatives District 85
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Ben Frederick | 100.0 | 9,792 |
| Total votes: 9,792 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Campaign themes
2018
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Eric Sabin completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Sabin's responses.
What would be your top three priorities, if elected?
The top three priorities I will be addressing are: 1. fully funding and improving our public education system, 2. ensuring worker' rights and bringing higher wage jobs into Michigan and District 85, 3. providing accessible and affordable health care for all citizens. 1. We have seen our state inconsistently funding our schools to the point that our teachers have to use their own funds to provide children with classroom materials. Teachers deserve our full support, and the least our state can do is ensure that public schools are getting the funds they need to support and provide for teachers and students. 2. Over the last 8 years, we have seen constant attacks on working class citizens. Our government has been doing everything it can to weaken unions and keep wages low. Citizens need to come first by ensuring they are able to easily unionize to negotiate for fair wages, benefits, and working conditions. I support repealing the Right to Work law as well as reinstating Prevailing Wage. We need to bring jobs into our area that offer liveable wages, as over 13% of our citizens live at or below the poverty level. I also believe that our government must help provide training opportunities for workers so that they have the skills to obtain these higher wage jobs. 3. Nobody should have to go bankrupt simply because they got sick or injured. Health care costs are constantly rising, and we have seen state and federal government attacks trying to rip away the insurance and health care coverage that exists for citizens. I support expanding Medicare and Medicaid so that our citizens do not have to go into debt to get treatment. Our citizens deserve a health care system that treats them fairly and allows them to seek treatment without considering a loan.
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
I am personally passionate about internet rights and privacy. I am a proponent of Net Neutrality and believe that it should be reinstated at the Federal level. Since it is not currently implemented at the federal level, I believe that Michigan should pass its own Net Neutrality law. The internet is a wealth of knowledge and every American should have the right to access it without their ISP controlling what is available to them. I am also frustrated with the amount of student debt that my generation is facing. I left college with $30K in debt, and this is considered a low amount. Many of my classmates came out with over $100K in debt, before attending further education. This debt is crippling and reduces social mobility and the ability to fully participate in the economy. We need to do more to allow access to further education without a mountain of debt, to ensure that our populace remains educated.
Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?
I look up to my parents. My mom is the Head Cook at my high school and my dad worked as a Maintenance Mechanic and Locksmith at the Thumb Correctional Facility. My family didn't make a lot of money, but they worked hard to make sure my brother and I had everything we needed. They often worked long hours and always took overtime whenever it was offered. There were many Christmas Days when my dad would get called in to plow snow, meaning our family wasn't always together on holidays, due to trying to make ends meet. My mom took second and sometimes third jobs throughout the years. When I got older, my parents sat me down and told me that we were going to be going through some hard times financially as we were on the verge of bankruptcy. Instead of getting upset, they told me that they were going to work even harder to make it through these times. They buckled down and did their absolute best and were able to pull themselves out of it. This taught and impressed upon me the value of hard work and determination. I will be following their example and will work as hard as I can to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to succeed.
Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?
I had the pleasure of reading Audacity of Hope by Barack Obama during my senior year of high school. While looking for insight on his candidacy I actually became humbled and inspired by his beginnings and his passion for caring for others even when they could do nothing for him in return. This was one of the sparks of inspiration I received to further my involvement and ultimately led to my own candidacy.
What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?
I believe in the three I's, a philosophy held by Olympic gold medalist, Kurt Angle. Those three I's are: Intensity, Integrity, & Intelligence. Being a state legislator is one of the most important jobs in our state, and thus they must take this position with a level of intensity that is appropriate to the position. Integrity is obviously huge, because people's lives are at stake with every decision a legislator makes. Intelligence is required in that legislators need to think long term as to how their decisions will affect people.
What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?
I grew up in a working class family. My parents didn't make a lot of money, so I understood what many of our citizens go through. I know what it's like not knowing if we were eating dinner or if my parents were going to be working overtime each night. I understand what it's like to go into massive debt in an attempt to get by. I've experienced what many in my community have experienced and believe that I can represent them effectively and with the knowledge they need. I'm running for office because everyone who is willing to work hard should have the same opportunity to succeed. It shouldn't come down to who is fortunate enough to be raised in a wealthy family or fortunate enough to be raised in a healthy one. Our government should provide opportunities to succeed for those that constantly contribute their best selves for their families and communities. My parents worked hard to pull themselves away from potential bankruptcy, but not all families who work hard are able to succeed. A family member shouldn't have to work multiple jobs just to help their family barely get by. My parents taught me that it was important to be a member of a community and to look out for others who are less fortunate. Our state is our community. Our government needs to look out for our citizens who are struggling. Our state needs policies that raise wages and encourage higher paying jobs to come to our area. I have always had an interest in politics, people, and being a part of a community. We need someone representing us who cares and understands our values and our communities. I represent the real, hard-working citizens of these communities, not the highest bidders.
What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?
Being a public servant is one of the highest honors an American can achieve. A legislator must be a true representative for the people. They must consider each decision carefully and ensure that what is being done will truly assist the people they represent. A legislator must be willing to talk to any and all constituents and must be willing to learn from those that they represent.
What legacy would you like to leave?
If I am elected to office, I would like to leave a legacy that encouraged other people to look out for one another and be willing to work on ensuring that every single person has the opportunity to succeed and improve themselves, no matter their situation.
What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?
The first truly historical event that I was aware of in my lifetime was, unfortunately, 9/11. I was 10 years old at the time. I remember being pulled out of school to go fill our vehicles with gas. I remember thinking how odd it was that we would do this in the middle of the day and that I asked my parents how our family in New York was doing. It did not hit me until the next day that this event was monumental and catastrophic. Our lives would never be the same.
What was your very first job? How long did you have it?
My very first job was as a "cart boy" & dishwasher at the local golf course. It was my responsibility to clean, park, and maintain our golf carts used and returned by patrons. I would also wash dishes in the kitchen during large events. I did this for 3 summers while I was attending college.
What is your favorite thing in your home or apartment? Why?
My dog, Archie, is my favorite thing in my home. He is a loving dog, who was trained very well by my wife, Loria. He is happy to greet all animals and people he runs across, indiscriminately. He loves playing with our cats and goats and is happy to go on the campaign trail with us. No matter how our days are going, he is always happy to see us and loves being with us. He is a stabilizing force in my life.
What was the last song that got stuck in your head?
Mr. Blue Sky - Electric Light Orchestra
Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?
I think that it can be beneficial, in terms of being able to lead and initiate discussions that inexperienced legislators may not be able to. However, it is not the most important qualification for holding office. It is much more important that we have legislators that share our values and are willing to fight for the citizens of our state, regardless of political background or experience.
Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.
I believe it is very important to establish relationships with other legislators. Each legislator has a different background and education. Every legislator represents a different district, which further ensures differing viewpoints will be brought to the table. Ideally, this allows for all ideas to be discussed and deliberated. I believe that forming relationships with other legislators will expedite the legislative process since we would be able to learn what concessions would be able to be made with each other.
What process do you favor for redistricting?
I support Proposal 2 submitted by the group Voters Not Politicians, for future redistricting plans. This proposal would create a commission of 13 registered voters randomly selected by the Secretary of State, 4 each who self-identify as affiliated with the 2 major political parties; and 5 who self-identify as unaffiliated with major political parties. This proposal will ensure that politicians who are currently in office do not have the opportunity to gerrymander the district map to keep themselves in power.
If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?
I would like to serve on the Insurance, Educational Reform, Elections and Ethics, and Law and Justice committees. I am currently a Claims Intake Specialist for a Medical Malpractice Insurance company and have been working in insurance since I graduated from college. My experience has allowed me to see how all types of insurance affect all citizens and I will be able to provide an experienced perspective to the committee. I am also very passionate about our education system due to many of my mentors being former teachers. I also have various family and friends who are current or former educators, and I have learned a great deal about the challenges our schools, teachers, and students face. Finally, I would like to seek the Elections and Ethics and Law and Justice committees due to my Political Science (Pre-Law) degree. I have always had an interest in studying how to best govern and uphold the law and I want to do everything I can to protect the integrity of our elections and our legal system.
If you are not currently a member of your party’s leadership in the legislature, would you be interested in joining the leadership? If so, in what role?
As I am not currently a legislator, I am not qualified to join legislative leadership. I have much to learn and will be happy to learn all that I can while first becoming a legislator.
Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?
I have enjoyed listening and learning about the styles of various legislators, such as Barack Obama and John F. Kennedy, however, as a newly elected official, I would like to learn from current and former leaders and legislators, rather than coming in with preconceived notions. I want to make sure that I do the best job I possibly can for my constituents.
Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?
I will always be involved with the political process, however I'm not sure in what capacity, be it running for office, or supporting local candidates. What matters to me is helping people in the most effective way.
Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?
While campaigning, I met a man named Frank, who was recently retired as a truck driver for a local unionized company. He was forced to retire at an early age due to his wife recently falling and breaking a hip. Frank and his wife did not have access to someone to take care of her while she recovered, so he retired early. While his wife was recovering, she was diagnosed with dementia. Frank was forced to sell his house to help pay for her medical bills, which included a caretaker 24 hours a day. Frank was tearful recalling this story to me. It was this moment that taught me just how much change we have to bring to our government. Frank went from working and preparing for retirement to having to give up everything, just so his wife could get medical treatment. Frank, and many like him, are the reason I run for office, and the reason why I want to improve peoples' lives.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
See also
- State legislative elections, 2018
- Michigan House of Representatives elections, 2018
- Michigan House of Representatives
External links
Footnotes
