Michigan House of Representatives District 106 candidate surveys, 2022

Elections in Michigan, 2022

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This article shows responses from candidates in the 2022 election for Michigan House of Representatives District 106 who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey.

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• Click here to see Candidate Connection survey responses.

Candidates and election results

General election

General election for Michigan House of Representatives District 106

Cameron Cavitt defeated Marie Fielder in the general election for Michigan House of Representatives District 106 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Cameron Cavitt (R)	65.0	30,306
		Marie Fielder (D)	35.0	16,332

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 46,638
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses

Ballotpedia asks all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. The section below shows responses from candidates in this race who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Survey responses from candidates in this race

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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.

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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?

Marie Fielder (D)

Rural healthcare is lacking in scope in Northeast Michigan. It's time to recruit and retain qualified medical professionals, so that traveling hundreds of miles to recieve specialty care, is no longer a necessity.

Our educational systems need support, not defunding and not dismantling. Let's keep our public tax dollars in our public schools for the public's children and let's remove the politics.

Housing is lacking in Northeast Michigan, especially affordable housing. It is time to utilize the resources of our state government to find resources so that no Michigander has to concern themselves with how to find warm, dry, affordable and safe housing.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Marie Fielder (D)

*Supporting and protecting our natural resources, so that Michigan stays Pure!

• Providing our farming communities the resources they need to get food on the tables for all Michiganders.
• Supporting our law enforcement, so that they are doing the work that they signed up for while also being fairly compensated.
• Supporting our veterans and ensuring that they are availed the services they need to be healthy.
• Reducing inflation so that no Michigander has to worry about whether to pay the electric bill or buy a loaf of bread.
• Supporting small businesses, so that they have the resources and infrastructure they need to flourish and prosper.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Marie Fielder (D)

I don't look up to any one person. I do however, have reverence for all Native people who came before me. I admire their determination, their culture and their fierce independence. I admire their bravery throughout the tough times they endured throughout the formation of this United States.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Marie Fielder (D)

My political philosophy is to always do right, always be kind and always be humble. When you are all of that, then you are always free.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Marie Fielder (D)

Transparency. The best leaders know and understand the principles of transparency. Open government is important and it sets the tone for all of our communities and governmental operations. As painful as transparency can be, it can also be liberating because it ultimately means that we all are at our very best.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Marie Fielder (D)

I have always been told that I have a strong work ethic and I am committed to any work that I do. I am honest and forthright. I take issues of injustice seriously and I work hard to ensure that there is a place for everyone to have a voice. I also take seriously honesty and integrity. My word is important and when I say I'm going to do something, I show up!

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Marie Fielder (D)

The main purpose of the legislature is to craft and pass laws, as long as those laws do not contradict the US Constitution or any law passed by Congress. There are a multitude of other duties a Legislator is responsible for, such as providing governmental oversight and controlling the state budget. A Legislator's ultimate responsibility however, is to be the voice for the people.

What legacy would you like to leave?

Marie Fielder (D)

I want my legacy to be that I always tried to do what is best so that I could leave my world better than what it was during my time. I want my future generations to take initiative when they see injustice and not just complain about injustice. I want my future generations to warrior through their tough times so that they can come out on the other end stronger. My motto is to never give up because our next day is usually better than the last. In addition, my motto is to work hard to walk a road of balance.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

Marie Fielder (D)

I remember my mother talking about the Vietnam War and how troubled she was over it. She was worried for our nation's soldiers and the news of the atrocities that were happening overseas. She spoke about the protests and how fearful she was for our nation. I also remember my mother telling me that she was finally "allowed" to get a credit card in her name. She was smiling from ear to ear and I remember the personal pride she took in being able to have that independence and personal right.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Marie Fielder (D)

When I turned 14 years of age, my father took me to the court house in St. Ignace, Michigan where I asked for and filed a permit to work. My first job was working at the Indian Village in St. Ignace, MI. The Indian Village is a trinket and gift shop for tourists. I was the check out girl and I worked the jewelry counter. The Indian Village still stands today and is frequented by thousands of visitors each year.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Marie Fielder (D)

The most recent book that had an impact on me was authored by Atul Gawande entitled "Being Mortal: Medicine, and What Matters in the End". My father's physician recommended that I read this book when I was struggling with my father's failing health. The book gave me permission to allow my father to pass the way he wanted to pass, knowing that it would be not just my gift to him, but it would also be a gift to myself. I'm grateful he recommended this book.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Marie Fielder (D)

All songs get stuck in my head. I love most every kind of genre from Christian to Rock!

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Marie Fielder (D)

I have many books in my life that are unread, that I would like to make time to sit down and read. Balance, is something that I have to continually work at.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Marie Fielder (D)

The greatest challenge over the next decade will undoubtedly be tackling climate change and it's impact on our world. It's time to invest in clean energy and to take clean energy seriously.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

Marie Fielder (D)

I do not believe that the best Legislator is one who has prior governmental experience. It is the person who understands the needs of and has worked with - the people, who makes the best Legislator. I have worked with a multitude of governmental agencies for the betterment of Northeast Michiganders. Such agencies include but are not limited to: social service agencies, the court system, all educational institutions, incarceration centers, medical specialists, national health organizations including Hospice, all law enforcement entities etc. It is that person - the one who has sat at the kitchen table helping to find solutions to the problems facing the people, that makes the best Legislator. That is why I am running for State Representative. I believe that my work as a teacher/consultant has prepared me to be the best Representative for Michigan's 106th House District.

What process do you favor for redistricting?

Marie Fielder (D)

Fairness and equity across the board.

If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

Marie Fielder (D)

The committees I would like to be a part of include:

• Education

• Health Policy

• Military, Veterans and Homeland Security

• Commerce and Tourism

• Families, Children and Seniors

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

Marie Fielder (D)

I have learned to rule nothing out. I never saw myself running for any elected position until this time.

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?

Marie Fielder (D)

A voter who self-described herself as a "strong Republican" expressed concern for our communities. She said that she went to her community schools and did well in life. She said that she sent her children to her community schools and they did well. She then she asked this question; "why is it now that our schools are so bad that they need to be eliminated?" This is a story I will keep with me in the months and years to come.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Marie Fielder (D)

It is imperative that our governmental leaders lead with grace knowing that every voice matters. It is also imperative that our leaders take every opportunity to reach across the aisle in a bipartisan effort for the people and future generations of Michigan's families. When our leaders work together, growth naturally occurs for our state and for the people. It is time to put away political rhetoric for the betterment of our communities and our state. We do that by being transparent with our constituents no matter the consequences.

See also

More about these elections:

• Michigan House of Representatives elections, 2022

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