Marcus Cummings
From Ballotpedia
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Marcus Cummings (Democratic Party) ran for election to the Michigan House of Representatives to represent District 10. He lost in the Democratic primary on August 4, 2020.
Cummings completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Marcus Cummings was born in Newport News, Virginia. He attended Wayne State University. His professional experience includes working in private security as a contractor that maintains several federal government offices, leading the Southeast Michigan Home Fire Preparedness Campaign for the American Red Cross in conjunction with DTE Foundation and the DTE Home Energy Efficiency Team, working logistics and meal delivery for the American Red Cross Disaster Services during Hurricane Harvey in Houston, Texas, working as a constituent liaison for Detroit City Councilwoman Saunteel Jenkins, working as campaign manager for Phil Cavanagh's race for Wayne County Executive, and working for the City of Detroit for eight years in the Election Commission and DPW Street Maintenance Division. Cummings has been affiliated with the Schaefer 7&8 Lodge Community Association, 12th Precinct Community Relations, the Detroit Zoning Advisory Group, the Royalty Empowerment Mentoring Program, and Peaceful Waters Christian Church.[1]
Elections
2020
See also: Michigan House of Representatives elections, 2020
General election
General election for Michigan House of Representatives District 10
Mary Cavanagh defeated Cathy Alcorn in the general election for Michigan House of Representatives District 10 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Mary Cavanagh (D)  | 84.8 | 38,144 |
| Cathy Alcorn (R) | 15.2 | 6,863 | ||
| Total votes: 45,007 | |||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Michigan House of Representatives District 10
The following candidates ran in the Democratic primary for Michigan House of Representatives District 10 on August 4, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Mary Cavanagh | 29.4 | 5,250 |
| Brenda Hill | 23.1 | 4,119 | ||
| Kevin Lamont Harris | 20.6 | 3,674 | ||
| Diajah Ruffin | 8.0 | 1,418 | ||
| Tyson Kelley | 7.5 | 1,342 | ||
| Marcus Cummings | 6.1 | 1,089 | ||
 | Steele Hughes | 4.1 | 735 | |
| Valli Smith | 1.1 | 204 | ||
| Total votes: 17,831 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Republican primary election
Republican primary for Michigan House of Representatives District 10
Cathy Alcorn advanced from the Republican primary for Michigan House of Representatives District 10 on August 4, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Cathy Alcorn | 100.0 | 1,694 | |
| Total votes: 1,694 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Campaign finance
Campaign themes
2020
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Marcus Cummings completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Cummings' responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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I am a proud Detroiter! My mother moved us to Detroit from Newport News, VA when I was a toddler to live with my paternal grandparents. I grew up off Joy Rd. and Northlawn attended Detroit Public Schools up until high school. I went to Oak Park High school and from there Wayne State University. I worked my way through college starting with the City of Detroit Election Commission as an election clerical assistant. I had the honor of managing the Voter Information Personnel group for the November 2006 gubernatorial election. I was responsible for managing election workers who had the task of directing voters to their proper polling location and I was only 18. After my contract was up with the Election Commission I moved to the Dept. of Public Works and had worked for the Street Maintenance Division from 2007-2012. August 2012 I had the pleasure of working on Councilwoman Saunteel Jenkins staff as her community liaison. This was some of my most rewarding work helping residents navigate the various city bureaucracies. After resigning my post I had volunteered on Benny Napoleon's campaign for Mayor and in 2014 took a job with Phil Cavanaugh, ultimately becoming campaign manager for his Wayne County Executive race. From 2015-2017 I led the American Red Cross Southeast Michigan Home Fire Campaign installing thousands of smoke detectors for families throughout the tri-county area. I seek to continue my record of public service in Lansing as State Representative.
- Marcus A. Cummings is a person of action and not just talk. My motto is "I can show you better than I can tell you!"
- Marcus A. Cummings does not make promisies but delivers results. I have a record of getting things done and building coalitions.
- Marcus A. Cummings will work to improve the quality of life for all Michiganders and leave our children and grandchildren a Better Michigan!
Featured local question Unfortunately we will have to do both and to be realistic it will take several budget cycles to recover. If Senate Republicans in Washington will not send financial aid to state and local governments it will be a very tight budget cycle. I will ask for a study from House Fiscal Agency on how much revenue a half percent increase in the state sale tax would generate with the inclusion of state tax free holidays twice or three times a year. We also have to look at changing our income tax structure from the flat 4.25% to slight increases on those in higher tax brackets. The state will need to cut spending and I will be the first to introduce a 10% pay cut for State Legislators. It may be symbolic but we must show Michigan families we understand their pain right now. I know republicans want to gut education funding and that is a nonstarter for me. I can see reducing corrections budget by ending many mandatory minimum sentencing and expunging many low level drug crimes. I will propose allowing municipalities with recreational marijuana to add an additional 5-9% excise tax.
Fully funding state pension plans especially our teachers and helping municipalities cover their pension and legacy cost. Currently teacher pensions are underfunded by $30 billion and the City of Detroit owes $400 million to the pension systems in 2024. Our state needs to look at a dedicated revenue source to fund our pensions and help our municipalities better manage their obligations. I do not want to see another Detroit bankruptcy for any municipality in Michigan.
Infrastructure investment- I am opposed to a statewide .40 cent gas tax increase and would instead propose an up to .11 cent regional gas tax increase that county governments in partnership collect for the sole purpose of infrastructure improvements. These regional gas taxes would have to be approved by voters in the counties that partner to collect. I am for the state continuing to use bond funding for state road projects as the Governor announced in her State of the State address. Now I would actually push for a forensic audit of the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Fund and to move that money out of the current Non-profit account to a State Oversight board. If it is possible I would like to use $4 billion over 8 years to fund state and local projects of urgent need. Currently the fund has north of $20 billion and republican Pete Lucido proposed this plan years ago. I will push for a mandate to pave one thousand miles of roadways with recycled tires in Michigan. Studies show rubber based pavement last longer
Infrastructure investment- I am opposed to a statewide .40 cent gas tax increase and would instead propose an up to .11 cent regional gas tax increase that county governments in partnership collect for the sole purpose of infrastructure improvements. These regional gas taxes would have to be approved by voters in the counties that partner to collect. I am for the state continuing to use bond funding for state road projects as the Governor announced in her State of the State address. Now I would actually push for a forensic audit of the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Fund and to move that money out of the current Non-profit account to a State Oversight board. If it is possible I would like to use $4 billion over 8 years to fund state and local projects of urgent need. Currently the fund has north of $20 billion and republican Pete Lucido proposed this plan years ago. I will push for a mandate to pave one thousand miles of roadways with recycled tires in Michigan. Studies show rubber based pavement last longer
My favorite fictional political series The West Wing (NBC) sums up how I would want to govern. I am a Jed Bartlett Democrat (Martin Sheen presidential character). I want to do what is right and willing to make compromise when necessary, but I am steadfast in my principles. I believe in our institutions in a time when so many doubt them. Our Governments power comes from the people and I want to govern for the people. I know we all have our differences, but in the end we just want stability and honesty. The problem is politicians lie, cheat and bullshit, but statesmen govern and debate until a consensus is reached. I am not a politician, because I will always be straight forward and sometimes brash. We cannot sugar coat our problems to Michiganders anymore. and must give real solutions to major problems.
Compassion, empathy and tenacity... Working in government and the non profit sector I have seen people at their lowest point seeking whatever help can be given. I am the guy that wants to help and will not give up without finding a solution, no matter how long it takes. Actually the saddest moment during my tenure with Councilwoman Jenkins was an elderly woman I met at a church meeting off Joy rd. and Hubbell had a flood in her basement. Come to find out the cause of the flood was a clogged sewer drain in her alley. Well DWSD didn't want to take responsibility for the damage and we had filled out several claims and I had talked to upper management. Unfortunately DWSD wasn't going to pay for her damage. I felt defeated but I though lets try something else. Being a community leader I knew of NOF grants to repair houses for low income residents. I was able to pull some strings with the help of Councilwoman Jenkins and our staff and we got her on the list. This had taken a few months and when I got the call she was a go for the initial process I excitedly called her up and had learned from a relative she had passed away. I cried and was ready to call it quits, but I knew I had a ton of cases like this one and had to keep going. The system is flawed and cutting through red tape is tough, but people in government cannot give up, because the only way to fix the problem is to know the problem. I will be a successful legislator because I know the problems and have the will and drive to find solutions.
September 11, 2001 although it was not the first historical event in my lifetime it is the only day I remember vividly. I was an 8th grader at Ann Arbor Trail Middle School in Detroit 13 years old. It was such a beautiful day and just so happened to be election day in Detroit. Our school was right along the landing flight path for Metro Airport and we always would see planes headed toward the airport during recess. My art teacher was the first to explain what had happen, but we knew something major had happened because students kept leaving early. I remember thinking where the hell are my parents before finally leaving around 1p.m. My mother tired her best to shield me from watching television. Unfortunately for her I was a news and politics junkie as a pre-teen. I can remember watching Tom Brokhaw and NBC news coverage and seeing the replay of the collapse of the Twin Towers. My heart broke as I knew many had died that day. I worried for my father who worked for Northwest Airlines at the time, because I knew nothing would be the same anymore. Through all that hurt, chaos and fear my mother had me walk with her to Hartford Memorial Church to go vote.
Return of the Mack by Mark Morrison
Yes! I believe the best legislators are those who have seen the process play out either at the local level with a City Council or School Board and of course the State or Federal level. Going in blind to the process slows a legislators ability to get policy before the proper committees and start the law making process. I commend any person running for legislative office, but they must know the basics if they want to be effective in their role. All too often we get representatives in office who have served three terms (6 years) in Lansing and never sponsored legislation that made it into law. Many times they take credit for cosponsoring a bill, but constituents should ask what policy change have you championed to make our lives better?
Public Schools funding as well as teacher compensation and legacy cost. Enrollment is decreasing and Michiganders like most of America are not having the number of children our grandparents had. Michigan in my opinion has more school districts than it needs and we must consider consolidation. Budget issues with school districts are not just a Detroit problem. Suburban communities like Southfield, Grosse Pointe, Farmington Hills and Madison Heights have faced tough decisions and school closures. I am a proponent of countywide school districts and believe Michigan can fid success in countywide districts throughout the state. We could better negotiate teacher compensation and pay teachers more. Reduce class sizes and close unsafe and expensive older school buildings. If we do not revamp public education in Michigan it will bankrupt our state and we would have wasted billions while our children suffer.
Currently teacher pensions in the State are $30 billion underfunded. My goal as a legislator would be to find a dedicated state source of revenue to be an addition to state pension payments to the system. Look at a pay increase for teachers and restructure their defined benefit contribution. We have to get our long term debt under control so we will not leave our children with a bill they should not be responsible for.
Currently teacher pensions in the State are $30 billion underfunded. My goal as a legislator would be to find a dedicated state source of revenue to be an addition to state pension payments to the system. Look at a pay increase for teachers and restructure their defined benefit contribution. We have to get our long term debt under control so we will not leave our children with a bill they should not be responsible for.
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 30, 2020
Current members of the Michigan House of Representatives
Leadership
Speaker of the House:Matt Hall
Minority Leader:Ranjeev Puri
Representatives
District 1
Tyrone Carter (D)
District 2
Tullio Liberati (D)
District 3
Alabas Farhat (D)
District 4
Karen Whitsett (D)
District 5
Regina Weiss (D)
District 6
Natalie Price (D)
District 7
District 8
Helena Scott (D)
District 9
Joseph Tate (D)
District 10
Veronica Paiz (D)
District 11
Donavan McKinney (D)
District 12
Kimberly Edwards (D)
District 13
Mai Xiong (D)
District 14
Mike McFall (D)
District 15
Erin Byrnes (D)
District 16
Stephanie Young (D)
District 17
Laurie Pohutsky (D)
District 18
Jason Hoskins (D)
District 19
District 20
Noah Arbit (D)
District 21
Kelly Breen (D)
District 22
Matt Koleszar (D)
District 23
Jason Morgan (D)
District 24
Ranjeev Puri (D)
District 25
Peter Herzberg (D)
District 26
Dylan Wegela (D)
District 27
Rylee Linting (R)
District 28
Jamie Thompson (R)
District 29
James DeSana (R)
District 30
William Bruck (R)
District 31
Reggie Miller (D)
District 32
Jimmie Wilson (D)
District 33
Morgan Foreman (D)
District 34
District 35
Jennifer Wortz (R)
District 36
Steve Carra (R)
District 37
Brad Paquette (R)
District 38
Joey Andrews (D)
District 39
Pauline Wendzel (R)
District 40
Matt Longjohn (D)
District 41
Julie Rogers (D)
District 42
Matt Hall (R)
District 43
Rachelle Smit (R)
District 44
Steve Frisbie (R)
District 45
Sarah Lightner (R)
District 46
Kathy Schmaltz (R)
District 47
Carrie Rheingans (D)
District 48
Jennifer Conlin (D)
District 49
Ann Bollin (R)
District 50
Jason Woolford (R)
District 51
Matt Maddock (R)
District 52
Mike Harris (R)
District 53
Brenda Carter (D)
District 54
Donni Steele (R)
District 55
Mark Tisdel (R)
District 56
Sharon MacDonell (D)
District 57
Thomas Kuhn (R)
District 58
Ron Robinson (R)
District 59
Douglas Wozniak (R)
District 60
Joseph Aragona (R)
District 61
Denise Mentzer (D)
District 62
District 63
Jay DeBoyer (R)
District 64
Joseph Pavlov (R)
District 65
Jaime Greene (R)
District 66
Josh Schriver (R)
District 67
Phil Green (R)
District 68
David Martin (R)
District 69
Jasper Martus (D)
District 70
Cynthia Neeley (D)
District 71
Brian BeGole (R)
District 72
Mike Mueller (R)
District 73
Julie Brixie (D)
District 74
Kara Hope (D)
District 75
District 76
Angela Witwer (D)
District 77
Emily Dievendorf (D)
District 78
Gina Johnsen (R)
District 79
Angela Rigas (R)
District 80
Phil Skaggs (D)
District 81
Stephen Wooden (D)
District 82
Kristian Grant (D)
District 83
John Fitzgerald (D)
District 84
Carol Glanville (D)
District 85
Bradley Slagh (R)
District 86
Nancy De Boer (R)
District 87
William Snyder (D)
District 88
Greg VanWoerkom (R)
District 89
Luke Meerman (R)
District 90
Bryan Posthumus (R)
District 91
Pat Outman (R)
District 92
Jerry Neyer (R)
District 93
Tim Kelly (R)
District 94
Amos O'Neal (D)
District 95
Bill Schuette (R)
District 96
Timothy Beson (R)
District 97
Matthew Bierlein (R)
District 98
District 99
Mike Hoadley (R)
District 100
Tom Kunse (R)
District 101
Joseph Fox (R)
District 102
Curt VanderWall (R)
District 103
Betsy Coffia (D)
District 104
John Roth (R)
District 105
Ken Borton (R)
District 106
Cameron Cavitt (R)
District 107
Parker Fairbairn (R)
District 108
David Prestin (R)
District 109
Karl Bohnak (R)
District 110
Republican Party (58)
Democratic Party (52)
