Michigan House of Representatives District 45 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 45 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 45

Incumbent Sarah Lightner defeated Ron Hawkins in the general election for Michigan House of Representatives District 45 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Sarah Lightner (R)	67.6	27,506
		Ron Hawkins (D)	32.4	13,170

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 40,676
= 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?

Ron Hawkins (D)

Bodily Autonomy. In very simple terms, Ron believes that the State should not tell an individual what they cannot remove from their body, nor should the State tell an individual what they must put into their body. The individual has the right to body autonomy

Constitutional Rights. Ron is a strong supporter of gun rights. Gun rights are clearly established by the United States Constitution and the Michigan Constitution. The United States Constitution 2nd Amendment is very clear - the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.

Election Integrity. Ron believes elections must be conducted in a manner that provides the voter with an outcome that is fair and freely conducted.

Sarah Lightner (R)

I will continue to fight for tax reform. You deserve to keep more of your hard earned money and I will be your voice in Lansing to work for that.

Parents should be involved in their child's education. As a mom, and wife of a school board member, I know how important it is to be involved so we raise productive members of society.

I will continue to fight for business in Michigan. Working with stakeholders to make our region more site ready will increase the attraction to Michigan. We want our future generations to stay, work and play in MIchigan.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Ron Hawkins (D)

The condition of the roads and infrastructure in Michigan are the result of Public Act 51. This act is now 52 years old and should be recinded in it's enterity and replaced with legislation that provides funding directly to the townships.

Legislation that diminishes an individual’s lawful Constitutional rights is bad legislation. Punishing law-abiding citizens for a criminal’s action does not pass the common sense test. Ron supports legislation that strengthens the punishment for crime with a gun and believes this is good legislation. Ron will propose legislation modeled after the Veteran Reemployment Act that helped him. This legislation will provide honorably discharged Michigan veterans with a preference in hiring for all State employment. Ron believes that veterans must have the first hiring preference.

Sarah Lightner (R)

Currently, I serve on Appropriations. That gives me great insight as to how government works and the many departments that we have. My passion lies in the justice system and agriculture. From my prior experience as a paralegal, I have many contacts in my network who work in the justice system and help me better understand what is going on and how to make it better. Agriculture is a part of my daily life and making sure my neighbors, friends, and other farmers we know are able to have the tools in place to be productive to our state. We can't grow more farm land and we need to preserve what we have and take care of what we have to make sure we thrive in the ag world for years to come.

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

Ron Hawkins (D)

President John Fitzgerald Kennedy

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

Ron Hawkins (D)

War Is Just A Racket by General Smedley Butler.

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

Ron Hawkins (D)

Honesty, integrity, and empathy.

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

Ron Hawkins (D)

Work ethic, Determination, and Strength of Character

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

Ron Hawkins (D)

Represent your constituency to the best of your ability and respond to each constiuent that contacts you.

What legacy would you like to leave?

Ron Hawkins (D)

A life that my grandchildren would be proud to emulate.

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

Ron Hawkins (D)

November 1963 when President John Fitzgerald Kennedy was assasiniated. I was 13 years ojd

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

Ron Hawkins (D)

Farm work. 1967 when my father stoped farming. Entered the United States Air Force in March 1969 through December 1973.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Ron Hawkins (D)

War Is A Racket by Smedley Butler, my professional experiences have resonated with the words of this book. Follow the money.

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

Ron Hawkins (D)

My life has been fairly interesting as is and I do not have a desire to be a fictional character.

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

Ron Hawkins (D)

Eye of the Tiger

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

Ron Hawkins (D)

Spelling. The educational "experts" when I was in gradeschool determined I did not have to learn phonics. And that has formed by opinion of experts.

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

Ron Hawkins (D)

Governor is responsible for the executive branch offices of the State Government, and responsible to approve or veto presented legislation. The State legislator is responsible to balance the budget and propose effective leghislation.

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

Ron Hawkins (D)

Funding. Period. Currently the amount of subsidized programs (I.E. Medicaid, Bridge Cards, and other supplemntal aid programs) provided by the state of Michigan will overwhelm existing funding.

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

Ron Hawkins (D)

The State of Michigan should convert to a part-time legislature in a unicameral system. The benefit will be focused legislation that is effective with significant reduced cost to the taxpayer.

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

Ron Hawkins (D)

Sometimes you need a fresh perpective, however, my 41 years of government experience has equipped me with to deal with a buerecratic system and it's subsequent buerecrats.

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

Ron Hawkins (D)

Yes. Yu have to build coalitions to craft legislation effectively. The 45th district is rural, therefore I need to work with other legislative members (regardless of party) that represent rural districts to provide legislation that supports my constituency.

What process do you favor for redistricting?

Ron Hawkins (D)

The current system in Michigan fails to recognize 3rd party participation. I favor a commission comprised of one Democrat, one Republican, one Independant, and one member from each 3rd Party that has been established on the ballot for the last 10 elections.

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

Ron Hawkins (D)

Agricultural, Oversight, and Veterans are most important to me.

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

Ron Hawkins (D)

N/A

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

Ron Hawkins (D)

Yes, John F. Kennedy.

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

Ron Hawkins (D)

Considering I will be 73 in April of 2023, my health will determine that.

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?

Ron Hawkins (D)

Yes, an 80-year old couple was concerned with if they would be able to stay in their home with increased property taxes and their fixed limited income being diminished annually.

Tell us your favorite joke.

Ron Hawkins (D)

Ron doesn't joke around, and is fairly serious most of time.

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

Ron Hawkins (D)

Yes, it is the legislature's responsiblity to provide oversight. Emergency powers must be limited and constrained to the constitution's limit.

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

Ron Hawkins (D)

Yes, you have to reach common ground. Currently, our Michigan legislators go to each corner and come out swinging and nothing beneficial for the state is accomplished. Instead of fighting, we should be working.

See also

More about these elections:

• Michigan House of Representatives elections, 2022

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