Michigan House of Representatives District 107 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 107 who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey.

• Click here to see candidates and election results.
• Click here to see Candidate Connection survey responses.

Candidates and election results

General election

General election for Michigan House of Representatives District 107

Neil Friske defeated Jodi Decker in the general election for Michigan House of Representatives District 107 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Neil Friske (R)	56.6	26,867
		Jodi Decker (D)	43.4	20,610

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 47,477
= 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?

Jodi Decker (D)

I am running to reform our Foster Care system. I have been a foster parent and I work with families dealing with the foster system so I have seen it from both sides and there is much to fix.

I am running for voting rights. The other side has been trying to pass legislation to make it easier for them to choose whose votes count and making it harder to vote. I believe in one person , one vote. It shouldn't be hard to case your vote and have your voice heard.

Prison reform is another issue that I am interested in. My educational background is criminal Justice-Corrections. I did my internship in Kinross, MI at URF facility and I also briefly worked there for Trinity supervising inmates doing meal preparation. The system is not set up to rehabilitate, so these people get out of prison, have no clue how to function in society and end up offending again. Our system needs to be more rehabilitative and less punitive. They are still human beings.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Jodi Decker (D)

As it so happens, Roe v Wade was overturned today by the Supreme Court. I am very interested in making Michigan safe for women and protecting Women's Health Rights. Since the next thing they are going after is more than likely contraception, we need to act as quickly as possible to stop this slide to the dark ages that we are on. I don't want my granddaughter growing up with less rights than I did. That seems backwards. Nobody is talking about the first amendment which guarantees a Separation of Church and State. This country was founded on people leaving their home country fleeing from religious persecution. It is sad that almost 250 years later, the "conservatives" want to take us back to the beginning.

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

Jodi Decker (D)

Nancy Pelosi is one. She has fought for children's issues her entire career. She is a very smart woman. My own great grandmother is my inspiration, even though I was only 13 when she passed. She raised four families of children. She told me about coming to America on a ship when she was just a child. My grandfather was a World War II Veteran and a woodsman his whole life and my great grandmother, his mom, cooked for the lumber camps. She lived on a farm and that is where I partially grew up. She was a hard working, loving woman and I have tried to follow in her path. She told me about growing up during the Great Depression and having to eat lard and sugar sandwiches to survive. She was a quiet woman, but when she was angry, you knew it. She was the one who kept our extended family together. We would all go to her house for family gatherings.

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

Jodi Decker (D)

No, I can't think of a book or film. I was just raised that hard work, family and showing up are important.

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

Jodi Decker (D)

Truth and transparency are probably the most important.

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

Jodi Decker (D)

I'm fierce and determined when I'm after a goal. If it is something important to me, I will fight for it. I have empathy and experience. I don't claim to know everything, but I can learn any job. Getting to know people and active listening are aquired skills.

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

Jodi Decker (D)

To listen to the people in the district. To show that you have their backs and are working to make their lives better. To communicate with your constituents so that they know where you stand and if an issue arises, they know how you will handle it without panicking.

What legacy would you like to leave?

Jodi Decker (D)

I would like to make a difference in the foster care and prison systems. If I can make sustainable changes for the better that make a real world difference, I would consider myself successful.

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

Jodi Decker (D)

I remember snippets from television when I was a child about Iran. The first President I remember was Carter. But, the first big thing I remember as a voting age person was when I was pregnant for my daughter, I was 19 and Rodney King was beaten, which sparked the L.A. riots. At that same time, Desert Storm was going on in Iraq. That was during the first Bush administration.

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

Jodi Decker (D)

My very first job was when I was only 13 years old. I worked as a dishwasher in an upscale restaurant. I worked there for 2 1/2 years until the place closed down, then I went to work at another high end restaurant as a dishwasher and later moved up to bussing tables, then waitressing. I was able to buy and pay off my first car before I even had my drivers license.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Jodi Decker (D)

A Wrinkle in Time. I read it in elementary school and later bought it and read it to my daughter and sons. They have made two movies of it now. They're not as good as the book. It was imaginative and adventurous and I just always loved it.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Jodi Decker (D)

Wonder Woman

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

Jodi Decker (D)

AA by Walker Hayes. It makes me laugh every time I hear it and it's catchy. It's also true for most famiiies. Just doing your best and trying to raise your kids right is the theme of it.

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

Jodi Decker (D)

I have been a single mother on and off most of my life. My daughter is my first child and she has been a challenge. I have dealt with many issues, including drug addiction with her. We are constantly working on our relationship.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

Jodi Decker (D)

There needs to be open communication between legislators and the governor, no matter which party is in office. The main roll of this position is to represent the people of the district you're from and try to make life better for everyone.

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

Jodi Decker (D)

For both political parties to agree on common facts. I am hopeful that the January 6th investigation will help with this. We'll have to wait and see. Our state is going to have many challenges in the next period, the greatest being, are we going to keep our democracy? Climate change is already affecting us, getting prepared and going more eco-friendly before it's too late is a huge problem, but not just for the state. Mental health, housing shortages, child care shortages, social issues such as reproductive freedom and environmental issues all plague us. We have many issues that need immediate attention and we need someone with common sense and life experience to steer our district through this messed up time.

What are the benefits and drawbacks of a unicameral state legislature, in your opinion?

Jodi Decker (D)

The benefits would be a more efficient way to make laws. Legislation wouldn't get caught up passing the House and not passing the Senate. The process would be streamlined. The drawback would be that there is not a second set of eyes on any particular bill. Laws may be passed that could have been stopped before reaching the Governor's desk. It cuts both ways.

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

Jodi Decker (D)

I think that term limits are there to stop any one person from being in office for too long. Representatives are chosen from the people, which is why you have to live in your district. They are chosen to represent the interests of the constituents. Of the people, by the people, FOR THE PEOPLE.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Jodi Decker (D)

Yes, two heads are better than one. Getting a group to collaborate will also guarantee more votes to pass it through.

What process do you favor for redistricting?

Jodi Decker (D)

I think that the non partisan committee is the best way to make sure that no party is gerrymandering. That is how the last redistricting was done here. I do think they need to figure out a different way to do the Census though, during Covid, there were no door to door people and the people don't think to go online and fill out a census form. Especially the younger people who may have just had their first time doing a census. With a lack of broadband in many areas of this district, I think very few people probably went online to find the census form and fill it out themselves. Since we only do it every ten years, we have a long time to wait for another.

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

Jodi Decker (D)

Families, Children and Seniors

Judiciary subcommittee for Corrections Commerce and Tourism Elections and Ethics

Those are just the ones off the top of my head that I think I would have something to add to the conversation.

If you are a current legislator, what appealed to you about your current committees?

Jodi Decker (D)

Not applicable

Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

Jodi Decker (D)

I don't think so. I like Nancy Pelosi, she's a rock star as far as politicians go. She's been around along time and has fought for children's issues. I don't think I want to model myself after anyone though. I want to make my own way

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

Jodi Decker (D)

It was never my plan to run ever so I'll have to see how this goes. I do like fighting for the issues that are important to me and my district.

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?

Jodi Decker (D)

The constant barage of conspiracy theories that people keep asking me about. CRT is NOT taught in our schools. The election was NOT stolen. We don't need election laws passed that restrict voting. We DON'T want our teachers carrying guns.

I have talked to people who tell me stories from their own family when they hear that I have been in foster care and that I think we need grandparents rights in Michigan. The stories are familiar and that is another reason I am a good candidate for the district. I am a social worker and have lived life, and most situations I can relate to. This also helps with my social work currently.

Tell us your favorite joke.

Jodi Decker (D)

I never remember jokes and I don't tell them. I do like to hear them if they aren't corny.

Should the legislature oversee or grant the use of emergency powers?

Jodi Decker (D)

I don't see harm in overseeing as long as it is not over-powering the office of the Governor. I was glad Whitmer used her emergency powers during Covid. Everyone was worried and scared and didn't know what to do. She stepped up in that time and took charge. Whether you agree with her or not, someone had to do it.

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

Jodi Decker (D)

It is desirable but I don't think you should completely bend from your beliefs. The other side is so extreme right now, it will be hard to find compromise with them. I am a strength based professional and I am confident that I will be able to find compromise on some issues.

See also

More about these elections:

• Michigan House of Representatives elections, 2022

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