Michigan State Senate District 16 candidate surveys, 2022

This article shows responses from candidates in the 2022 election for Michigan State Senate District 16 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 State Senate District 16

Joseph Bellino defeated Katybeth Davis in the general election for Michigan State Senate District 16 on November 8, 2022.

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Joseph Bellino (R)	65.0	73,403
	Katybeth Davis (D)	35.0	39,503

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 112,906
= 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

Click on a candidate's name to visit their Ballotpedia page.

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?

Joseph Bellino (R)

Experience. I have been a house representative for 6 years now and I have learned to apply an empathetic but shrewd approach to legislation that ensures the responsible decision is made but that nobody gets left out in the cold.

Parental control in education. I will fight to ensure more parental rights in schools, and more options for school of choice, ensuring our children receive the best opportunities.

Economic development. I have proudly been involved with legislation that has created numerous jobs and brought vast arrays of business to the state and I will continue to do so.

Katybeth Davis (D)

Racial Justice- The injustice of systemic racism needs to be addressed through, comprehensive criminal justice reform, and investment in BIPOC communities. Systemic racism is especially rampant in this district and it is my hope to break away from the norms and focus on a more inclusive district.

Climate Crisis & Environmental Issues- Ensure the Great Lakes and critical sources of drinking water are protected from contamination by toxic chemicals such as PFAS. I will hold corporate polluters accountable, strengthen our drinking water infrastructure and demand protections that keep our communities, and our kids, safe. I agree that climate change is human-made, threatening our planet, and needs to be addressed through government action.

Access to Healthcare- I will fight to protect healthcare by standing up for people’s access to critical health services such as birth control, mental health services, and cancer screenings. I would advocate to pass the SB 70 bill which wuld repeal the 1931 Michigan law banning abortions. Reproductive Rights are human rights and women and people who become pregnant should have the choice to make their own decisions during their pregnancies. I support full gender equality including women's health access, reproductive rights, and equal pay regardless of gender assigned at birth.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Joseph Bellino (R)

Education - I seek to affirm greater parental control, and more options for Michigan's students.

Agriculture - Having served on the agriculture committee, I seek to improve economic circumstances for Michigan farmers, and protect them from predatory practices.

Rehabilitation and Corrections - As a young man I struggled with addiction and alcoholism, and it is my life's mission to give others the same second chance that I received. I will fight for increased recovery opportunity for those that face rock bottom, allowing them to lead a good life and make their contribution to society.

Economic Development and Tax Relief - Michiganders face a serious economic crisis, and I want to ensure they are not overburdened by taxes and economic forces created by irresponsible fiscal policies.

Katybeth Davis (D)

Education, Healthcare, Environmental, and Election policy

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

Katybeth Davis (D)

My first job was at Taco Bell when I was 16 years old. I became a manager and worked there for 4 years.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Katybeth Davis (D)

The Wizard of Oz

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

Katybeth Davis (D)

"We don't talk about Bruno", but I re-did the words and changed them to "We won't vote for Bellino, no no no!"