Michigan State Senate District 22 candidate surveys, 2022

Elections in Michigan, 2022

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On the ballot:  • U.S. House • Governor • State executive offices • State Senate • State House • Special state legislative • Supreme court • Appellate courts • State ballot measures • Local ballot measures • School boards • Municipal • Recalls

This article shows responses from candidates in the 2022 election for Michigan State Senate District 22 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 22

Incumbent Lana Theis defeated Jordan Genso, Jon Elgas, and Victoria McCasey in the general election for Michigan State Senate District 22 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Lana Theis (R)	60.7	83,957
		Jordan Genso (D)	36.7	50,738
		Jon Elgas (L)	1.8	2,478
	Submit photo	Victoria McCasey (U.S. Taxpayers Party)	0.9	1,198

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 138,371
= 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?

Jon Elgas (L)

Abolish State Income Tax

establish a gold backed state currency

stop clock changing

Lana Theis (R)

I will continue to work with parents who are asserting their rights for their children's education. No one knows the child better than their parents. Prioritizing parents as well as children ensures our students have the best education possible, focusing on the fundamentals while also protecting them from unnecessary "agenda-driven" curriculum or policies.

I will work to restore our citizen's confidence in our election process and ensure our elections are free from fraud. Jocelyn Benson’s mass-mailing of absentee ballot applications and her direction to local clerks to ignore the standard for signatures highlighted the need for change to ensure our elections are fair, safe, and accurately counted. My legislation would require ID information be included with absentee ballot submissions, and would remove deceased voters from the voting rolls in a timely manner. Our legislature has introduced over 100 election-related bills to address concerns, weaknesses and failures in our election system.

Inflation and high gas prices are affecting our most vulnerable citizens the hardest. Governor Whitmer’s COVID policies and continued overzealous imposition of bureaucratic regulation are keeping the backbone of our economy, our small businesses, from thriving. I will continue to work to provide tax relief to our citizens and to reduce the burden of unnecessary regulation.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Jon Elgas (L)

Don't trust the government.

Lana Theis (R)

Fighting to lower Michigan's highest-in-the-nation auto insurance rates was a large part of my decision to run for office. That policy change resulted in 3 billion dollars being returned to the drivers of Michigan in May of 2022.

While Governor Whitmer was focused on shutting down the state, I worked to open it back up safely. Our kids needed to be in school and our small businesses needed to be able to function. The state is now open, but we can never go back, and we've got a long way to go to fully recover.

Children need to be able to focus on their education without agenda-driven activists blocking parents from having a say. Across the country and here in Michigan, parents and teachers alike were prohibited from voicing their concerns over children's education. We need to ensure teachers have the tools, and parents know their rights, to provide the best possible education to Michigan's kids.

Businesses need to be able find employees and operate without burdensome regulation. The lasting effects of Governor Whitmer's shut-down continue to be barriers for business. Families need to be able to put food on their table and fill their cars without wondering how they're going to do it again tomorrow. There are a lot of things to continue to work on, and I will do everything in my power to help get Michigan back on track.

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

Jon Elgas (L)

Jesus. He showed everyone how to live, accepted everyone who chose to follow him, loved those who didn't and was never afraid to speak out against those in power.

My Dad, who expected nothing but the truth ( a lesson it took me a long time to learn).

My mom, who continually helps me find ways to express ideas in ways that allows others to be more accepting of them.

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

Jon Elgas (L)

The books would be the Bible, and Atlas Shrugged. Anything by the Ron Paul will also work

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

Jon Elgas (L)

Integrity is the single most important characteristic anyone can posses. I don't expect to share many viewpoints as any politician, but I do expect them to be honest with me, and actually work towards the what they claim.

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

Jon Elgas (L)

I am 6 years sober, and the lessons I have learned to be sober will help me be successful. These lessons include being honest, be willing to accept help when needed, and to live with integrity.

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

Jon Elgas (L)

They need to help those who can't help themselves, and those who don't know where to begin.

What legacy would you like to leave?

Jon Elgas (L)

Quite frankly I don't care if people remember me, but for those that do I want them to think of me as principled.

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

Jon Elgas (L)

I remember watching my mom vote for Ronald Regan in 1984.

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

Jon Elgas (L)

I stocked my aunts party store in 1994, I had it for summer vacation.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Jon Elgas (L)

Bible; It allows me to know who God is.

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

Jon Elgas (L)

I would like to have the observation of Sherlock Homes.

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

Jon Elgas (L)

Nicki by Aplogitix

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

Jon Elgas (L)

I struggled with Alcohol, and accepting who I am. Something I started becoming successful with 6 years ago.

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

Jon Elgas (L)

The state legislature should be equal, but should be the ones driving state policy.

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

Jon Elgas (L)

Encouraging small business to start or grow here. A great way to do that is by getting rid of property taxes for everyone.

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

Jon Elgas (L)

a benefit would be that of a more efficient legislative branch, A drawback would be less people for lobbyists to corrupt. A great work around would be to have a unicameral legislature, and bill that gets passed and signed, would be passed on to each county. If a majority of counties agree that the bill would become law. This would allow for an efficient legislative branch, allow politics to become more local (which is where it should be) and make it harder for lobbyists to bribe politicians.

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

Jon Elgas (L)

I believe that the more experience one has in government or politics the more likely they are to be corrupt.

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

Jon Elgas (L)

Yes. Other legislators will need to trust me, and the best way to build that trust in to get to know them, and have them get to know me.

What process do you favor for redistricting?

Jon Elgas (L)

A committee that is selected by the counties, not by and elected official or bureaucrat.

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

Jon Elgas (L)

Appropriations, elections, and regulatory reform

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

Jon Elgas (L)

I would like to have the principled stance of Justin Amash, the boldness of Rand Paul, and the charisma of Barack Obama.

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

Jon Elgas (L)

I would run for State Rep, county or township trustee, or a school board.

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?

Jon Elgas (L)

I have heard from someone who lost their sole income during the lock downs, because their business couldn't withstand a year of no revenue. When the business closed they complemented suicide. I will work so that stories like that will not happen again

Tell us your favorite joke.

Jon Elgas (L)

Did you know bees are allergic to pollen? when exposed to too much they develop hives.

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

Jon Elgas (L)

the legislature should oversee use of emergency powers, and when the governor oversteps they have the authority to force change.

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

Jon Elgas (L)

Yes. There will be times when I need to give a little to get some of what I want (which is less government)

See also

More about these elections:

• Michigan State Senate elections, 2022

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