Kimberly Bizon
Kimberly Bizon (Democratic Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent Michigan's 10th Congressional District. She lost in the general election on November 3, 2020.
Bizon completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. Click here to read the survey answers.
Bizon ran unsuccessfully for the same seat in 2018.
Contents
Biography
Kimberly Bizon obtained a bachelor's degree from Michigan State University. Her professional experience includes working as an online marketing director and as president of Huronia Heights.[1]
Elections
2020
See also: Michigan's 10th Congressional District election, 2020
Michigan's 10th Congressional District election, 2020 (August 4 Democratic primary)
Michigan's 10th Congressional District election, 2020 (August 4 Republican primary)
General election for U.S. House Michigan District 10
Lisa McClain defeated Kimberly Bizon in the general election for U.S. House Michigan District 10 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate |
% |
Votes |
||
| ✔ |
|
Lisa McClain (R) |
67.7
|
83,208 |
|
|
Kimberly Bizon (D) |
32.3
|
39,775 | |
|
|
Total votes: 122,983 |
Democratic primary for U.S. House Michigan District 10
Kimberly Bizon defeated Kelly Noland in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Michigan District 10 on August 4, 2020.
Candidate |
% |
Votes |
||
| ✔ |
|
Kimberly Bizon |
53.8
|
27,981 |
|
|
Kelly Noland |
46.2
|
24,068 | |
|
|
Total votes: 52,049 |
Republican primary for U.S. House Michigan District 10
Lisa McClain defeated Shane Hernandez and Doug Slocum in the Republican primary for U.S. House Michigan District 10 on August 4, 2020.
Candidate |
% |
Votes |
||
| ✔ |
|
Lisa McClain |
41.7
|
50,804 |
|
|
Shane Hernandez |
36.4
|
44,298 | |
|
|
Doug Slocum |
21.9
|
26,686 | |
|
|
Total votes: 121,788 |
Candidate profile
Kimberly Bizon submitted the biography and key messages below to Ballotpedia ahead of the 2020 election.
Party: Democratic Party
Incumbent: No
None
2018
General election
Incumbent Paul Mitchell defeated Kimberly Bizon, Jeremy Peruski, and Harley Mikkelson in the general election for U.S. House Michigan District 10 on November 6, 2018.
General election for U.S. House Michigan District 10
Candidate |
% |
Votes |
||
| ✔ |
|
Paul Mitchell (R) |
60.3
|
182,808 |
|
|
Kimberly Bizon (D) |
35.0
|
106,061 | |
|
|
Jeremy Peruski (Independent) |
3.7
|
11,344 | |
|
|
Harley Mikkelson (G) |
0.9
|
2,851 | |
|
|
Total votes: 303,064 |
Democratic primary election
Kimberly Bizon defeated Frank Accavitti Jr. and Michael McCarthy in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Michigan District 10 on August 7, 2018.
Democratic primary for U.S. House Michigan District 10
Candidate |
% |
Votes |
||
| ✔ |
|
Kimberly Bizon |
41.1
|
21,944 |
|
|
Frank Accavitti Jr. |
32.0
|
17,047 | |
|
|
Michael McCarthy |
26.9
|
14,353 | |
|
|
Total votes: 53,344 |
Republican primary election
Incumbent Paul Mitchell advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House Michigan District 10 on August 7, 2018.
Republican primary for U.S. House Michigan District 10
Candidate |
% |
Votes |
||
| ✔ |
|
Paul Mitchell |
100.0
|
81,867 |
|
|
Total votes: 81,867 |
Campaign themes
2020
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Kimberly Bizon completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Bizon's responses.
Who are you? Tell us about yourself.
I was raised on a farm in Yale, Michigan. I then graduated from Utica High School. From there I went to Michigan State University. I currently reside in Lexington, Michigan. I am committed to District 10. It is a very vast and beautiful district with many diverse people. Before the Coronavirus shut everything down I enjoyed getting out and talking to the people and the communities that make up this District. I am not afraid to listen to those that have different ideas than my own. I am President of my subdivision and there are Republicans I have to compromise and work with to solve the problems that are hard.
Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?
What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?
I believe everyone has the right to affordable healthcare. I will fight any attempts that are made to take away health care from the over 40,000 people in the 10th District who gained coverage under the Affordable Care Act. I will also fight any attempt to bring back exclusions and higher premiums for pre-existing conditions or cuts to Medicare or Medicaid coverage. Congress should come together to improve the ACA by covering more people and lowering costs - including the skyrocketing cost of prescription drugs. I am open to any proposals that expand coverage, lower costs - including Universal Health Care options. We need to tax the rich the same percentage that the average American pays. This last tax break was not for the everyday people and was beneficial to the rich and large corporations only. This has to be reversed. I will fight for a living wage of $15/hour. I have committed to improving student loans by supporting a low or even 0% interest. We need to invest in our young people and our future. I support investing in new green infrastructure - this can produce many good paying jobs. I support our small businesses. Our rural towns have too many empty buildings - we need to stimulate new small business opportunities. I also support campaign funding reform that makes it a more equal playing field for the candidates. We need to eliminate Citizens United. Too many politicians only represent special interest groups and not the people.
Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?
My mom first and foremost. She instilled in me values to respect all people. She also gave me the green thumb I have to this day. We're always working on her flower bed when she comes back to Michigan. The second person would be my dad. He instilled in me to be a hard worker and go after what you want in life. Although we do butt heads because of our political ideologies we still can find common ground.
What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?
The most important is listening to the people of your district regardless of their political leanings. A Representative crafts policy and legislation that is best for their home district.
What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?
I listen to people and am not steadfast in my ways. I can mold policy ideas that will be crafted by what I hear from the people of my district. I do not take any Super Pac money. I am open to answering questions. I was the first candidate to do live coffee chats and then moved to the online format. I hold weekly Podcasts with every day people of this District.
What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?
Represent the people and never yourself. Understand the job and how big it really is. You are there as a check and balance regardless of who is in power be it Republican or Democratic.
What legacy would you like to leave?
I want to be known as a Representative who got the job done and helped the people of her District. I am going to Washington D.C. to fight for the people and communities. I have no underlying ambitions like many other candidates might have. I don't force my views or religion on anyone. That should be separate from the policy decisions you make.
What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?
The first historical event in my lifetime would be the Challenger Explosion in 1986. It was just heartbreaking to see. The mission was the first time a school teacher, someone we all can relate to, would be going up in space. It was very devastating and heartbreaking to see that event live on TV.
What was your very first job? How long did you have it?
My very first job was working on my families small farm in Yale, Michigan. I have many fond memories of working on that farm for several years. It pains me to see policy that hurts our farmers here in this District and we must do more to protect them.
What is your favorite book? Why?
Favorite books would have to be Oh, the Places You'll Go! by Dr. Seuss. It's a great book about the endless possibilities in life. The second would be Silent Spring by Rachel Carson. It inspired me to keep on eye on pulluters and my commitment to protect animal species including birds and bees from human harm.
If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?
I would like to be Dorthy from The Wizard of Oz. She solved many problems to get back home. She worked with characters from all different backgrounds and helped them find their way. She got over her fears.
What was the last song that got stuck in your head?
This is a great question because everyone on Team Bizon loves different music. The last song in my head was Survivor by Destiny's Child.
What is something that has been a struggle in your life?
Moving and building new friendships after my parents got divorced would be the biggest struggle.
What process do you favor for redistricting?
Redistricting should be composed of equal Independent, Republican, and Democratic voters. It should never be chosen by who is in powerm
What qualities does the U.S. House of Representatives possess that makes it unique as an institution?
The U.S. House consists of 435 unique people representing all 50 states. It has powers to control the revenue spending. In the event that there is an abuse of power it has the authority to impeach federal officials.
Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?
I believe as long as you can work with people from different ideologies and backgrounds than yourself experience should not matter. Experience in other areas such as what I have with being a Climate Reality Mentor, and being the on the board and President of my subdivision for so long does help give you the tools needed. There are people who have been in politics for so long, but have got little done.
What do you perceive to be the United States’ greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?
I perceive the United States to have multiple challenges over the next decade. First and foremost we have to solve the Coronavirus issue. Speed up testing, treatment, and ensure people are safe. Next is the discriminatory practices that are still taking place in our jobs, banking practices, education, policing, and prison systems. Climate change has never gone away. The sea and lake levels are rising and people are losing their homes and businesses. We have to tackle this issue head on and stop ignoring the science!
If you are not a current representative, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?
There are twenty committees in the U.S. House. I would like to be part of Science, Space, and Technology, Oversight and Government Reform, and the Rules committee.
Do you believe that two years is the right term length for representatives?
Absolutely, I also signed the Term Limit Pledge.
What are your thoughts on term limits?
Term limits are good in the long run, for you do not have someone in power for too long that is influenced by special interests and lobbying.
If you are not currently a member of your party’s leadership in the U.S. House of Representatives, would you be interested in joining the leadership? If so, in what role?
I would like to be in leadership as the Democratic Caucus Chairman.
Is there a particular representative, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?
David Bonior and Candice Miller are two past Representatives that I have modeled who I want to be as a Representative. They had passion, drive, and determination to get things done. They listened and worked for the people they represented.
Both sitting representatives 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?
In 2018 when I was running for the first time we had a supporter from Port Austin who would call me every week. She contracted Lupus from a tick. She was worried about her Healthcare getting taken away. I too was worried for her because her Representative Paul Mitchell was not responding to her calls and emails. People in this area deserve a Representative who will respond and listen and do what is right. The ACA wasn't perfect, but it allowed millions of people ij the U.S. to obtain healthcare and saved countless lives including this supporter.
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
2020 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on June 22, 2020
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