Michigan House of Representatives District 49 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 49 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 49

Incumbent Ann Bollin defeated Christina M. Kafkakis in the general election for Michigan House of Representatives District 49 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Ann Bollin (R)	55.8	25,118
		Christina M. Kafkakis (D)	44.2	19,910

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 45,028
= 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?

Christina M. Kafkakis (D)

Focused on Community: A great community comes together and works toward one common goal, while bettering everyone in the process. At the core is the ability to listen to one another, to review all the facts and data, and to show each other respect. If we build and sustain relationships with our peers, we learn from each other, gain support and can work together to create a course of action will benefit our district as a whole.

Focused on Opportunity: All Michigan residents deserve the opportunity to provide for their families – without sacrificing their values. Families are an integral part of any community, and policies that encourage affordable childcare and paid family leave will empower them. Supporting small businesses and the skilled trades is key to building a strong economy. Grants for entrepreneurs, help for startup companies, and minority business development encourages economic health on Main Street.

Focused on Responsibility: All Michigan residents deserve to feel safe and welcome in their communities. Our duty as responsible citizens is to foster social awareness and self-management skills – and recognize how our decisions affect others. Preserving the health of our communities starts with making sure that everyone, from children to senior citizens, has access to affordable and appropriate health care. Access to life-saving medications is a right, not a privilege.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Christina M. Kafkakis (D)

EDUCATION: Provide educators opportunities to use their expertise and innovate in their classrooms. Expand vocational and technical education programs and community college offerings. Properly fund our public schools and pay our educators appropriately, and competitively.

PUBLIC HEALTH: Access to affordable, comprehensive healthcare with lower cost prescription medications. Increase awareness and access to mental health services.

ECONOMY: Support small business and the skilled trades, including apprenticeship programs and internships. Advocate for living wages, collective bargaining rights and workplace protections. Sustain a diverse economy by prioritizing working families by offering affordable child care and paid family leave.

INFRASTRUCTURE: Repair and maintain our bridges and roads. Provide access to high-speed, affordable internet. Guarantee each citizen has access to clean drinking water.

SOCIAL JUSTICE: Prioritize training and education for law enforcement and judicial authorities to move toward a more equitable system. Commit to common sense gun legislation for violence prevention. Fight for legislation that enforces equal pay for equal work, no matter the person's gender.

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

Christina M. Kafkakis (D)

There have been many influential people in my life, starting from when I was a young girl until now. What I find that they have in common is compassion, integrity, and determination. Those that have compassion can evaluate a situation and have the ability to see points from both sides. Those with integrity are always fighting for the truth, even if that truth can be painful to face. And those with determination never give up, despite the obstacles that they might encounter.

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

Christina M. Kafkakis (D)

I think elected officials should be approachable, have integrity, be a collaborator and have critical thinking skills.

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

Christina M. Kafkakis (D)

I distinctly remember Geraldine Ferraro being named the VP Candidate for the Democratic Party and I was thrilled to see a woman up there with all the men. It was 1984 and I was turning 9 years old. It was also very significant for our family to see an Italian American representing us.

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

Christina M. Kafkakis (D)

I was a server at Bill Knapp's restaurant in Grand Blanc, Michigan. I started the summer after I turned 16 and continued to work there until I left for college, coming home and working during my breaks.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Christina M. Kafkakis (D)

When I was young, I read the book "My Side of the Mountain" and this coming of age story about Sam living on his own, is something that I love to read over and over. I love how he learned about living in the wild, and discovered so much about himself and others, while in solitude.

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

Christina M. Kafkakis (D)

Prior to having our living children, my husband and I were just newlyweds when I was pregnant for the first time. After an ectopic scare, we learned it was twins. At 20 weeks along, I experienced a pPROM (premature, preterm rupture of membranes) with our Baby A and she died due to complications that arose. Our baby B had to be delivered via induction, and didn't survive, because I had a serious infection called chorioamnionitis that was causing me to become septic. Not only did we have the loss of a child, but we also had to make the most difficult decision - to choose the life of our child or my life. With the recent overturn of Roe v. Wade, I personally understand how this will affect thousands and possibly millions of women.

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

Christina M. Kafkakis (D)

The goal of the legislature to to better the state. In doing so, passing legislation that can be signed into law is more desirable than presenting legislation that will be vetoed. Again - compromise is the goal.

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

Christina M. Kafkakis (D)

I've seen a greater divisiveness in our State Legislature - the ability to compromise is being replaced by fighting and name-calling. I think life experience is relevant in any position - and having been married for almost 17 years and with my husband for almost 27 - I can certainly bring experience in negotiation and compromise to the House Floor.

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

Christina M. Kafkakis (D)

Many multicameral legislatures were created to give separate voices to different sectors of society, so a drawback to a unicameral legislature would be having disappropriate representation.

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

Christina M. Kafkakis (D)

I believe that it's beneficial for state legislators to have appropriate life and/or work experience in the areas that they will be working. I don't think experience in government or politics is necessary to be successful as a legislator.

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

Christina M. Kafkakis (D)

Yes, it is definitely beneficial to build relationships with other legislators. Building relationships is key to collaboration and compromise.

What process do you favor for redistricting?

Christina M. Kafkakis (D)

I agree with the process that Michigan used in having a re-districting commission.

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

Christina M. Kafkakis (D)

There are several that interest me.

Education, Commerce and Tourism, Communications and Technology, Families Children and Seniors, Health Policy, Natural Resources and Outdoor Recreation, Transportation, and Workforce Trades and Talent.

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

Christina M. Kafkakis (D)

Public Education is of great interest to me as I have four children attending public school. For similar reasons, Families Children and Seniors are important to me. I have experience in recruiting. Health Policy and Natural Resources are of important to me personally.

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

Christina M. Kafkakis (D)

Yes, I was inspired to run for office by Sarah Anthony and Darrin Camilleri, both running for State Senate.

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

Christina M. Kafkakis (D)

Potentially, but let's win this office first.

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?

Christina M. Kafkakis (D)

Yes, there is. A local citizen expressed to me her concern over Roe v. Wade being overturned as she had experienced an ectopic pregnancy and so her risk of facing another ectopic was even higher than the 1:50 that most women experience. She is concerned that the 1931 law on the books in Michigan would prohibit her from surviving that if it occurred, and continuing to be there for her other living children.

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

Christina M. Kafkakis (D)

The legislature should oversee the use of emergency powers.

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

Christina M. Kafkakis (D)

Compromise is not only necessary but desirable for policymaking. No one will agree 100%, not even those in the same party. A great community comes together and works toward one common goal, while bettering everyone in the process. At the core is the ability to listen to one another, to review all the facts and data, and to show each other respect.

See also

More about these elections:

• Michigan House of Representatives elections, 2022

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