Mike Kowall
Mike Kowall (Republican Party) was a member of the Michigan State Senate, representing District 15. He left office in 2018.
Kowall (Republican Party) ran for election to the U.S. House to represent Michigan's 11th Congressional District. He lost in the Republican primary on August 7, 2018.
Kowall is a former Republican member of the Michigan State Senate, representing District 15 from 2011 to 2018. He was unable to run for re-election in 2018 to the Michigan State Senate because of term limits.
Kowall served in the Michigan House of Representatives, representing District 44 from 1998 to 2002.
Committee assignments
2017 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2017 legislative session, this legislator served on the following committees:
| Michigan committee assignments, 2017 |
|---|
| • Commerce, Vice chair |
| • Government Operations |
| • Oversight, Vice chair |
| • Regulatory Reform |
2015 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, Kowall served on the following committees:
| Michigan committee assignments, 2015 |
|---|
| • Commerce, Vice Chair |
| • Government Operations |
| • Regulatory Reform |
2013-2014
At the beginning of the 2013 legislative session, Kowall served on the following committees:
| Michigan committee assignments, 2012 |
|---|
| • Economic Development, Chair |
| • Natural Resources, Environment and Great Lakes |
| • Reforms, Restructuring and Reinventing |
| • Transportation, Vice chair |
2011-2012
In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Kowall served on the following committees:
| Michigan committee assignments, 2011 |
|---|
| • Economic Development, Chair |
| • Natural Resources, Environmental and Great Lakes |
| • Reforms, Restructuring and Reinventing |
| • Transportation, Vice chair |
Issues
Presidential preference
2012
Mike Kowall endorsed Mitt Romney in the 2012 presidential election.[1]
Sponsored legislation
The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.
Elections
2018
General election
Haley Stevens defeated Lena Epstein, Leonard Schwartz, and Cooper Nye in the general election for U.S. House Michigan District 11 on November 6, 2018.
General election
General election for U.S. House Michigan District 11
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Haley Stevens (D) | 51.8 | 181,912 |
 | Lena Epstein (R) | 45.2 | 158,463 | |
 | Leonard Schwartz (L)  | 1.7 | 5,799 | |
 | Cooper Nye (Independent) | 1.3 | 4,727 | |
| Total votes: 350,901 (100.00% precincts reporting) | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Haley Stevens defeated Tim Greimel, Suneel Gupta, Fayrouz Saad, and Nancy Skinner in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Michigan District 11 on August 7, 2018.
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for U.S. House Michigan District 11
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Haley Stevens | 27.0 | 24,309 |
 | Tim Greimel | 21.8 | 19,673 | |
 | Suneel Gupta | 21.4 | 19,250 | |
 | Fayrouz Saad | 19.4 | 17,499 | |
 | Nancy Skinner | 10.4 | 9,407 | |
| Total votes: 90,138 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Dan Haberman (D)
Republican primary election
Lena Epstein defeated Rocky Raczkowski, Mike Kowall, Klint Kesto, and Kerry Bentivolio in the Republican primary for U.S. House Michigan District 11 on August 7, 2018.
Republican primary election
Republican primary for U.S. House Michigan District 11
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Lena Epstein | 30.9 | 26,925 |
 | Rocky Raczkowski | 25.5 | 22,216 | |
 | Mike Kowall | 18.4 | 16,011 | |
 | Klint Kesto | 14.0 | 12,213 | |
 | Kerry Bentivolio | 11.3 | 9,831 | |
| Total votes: 87,196 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Kurt Heise (R)
- Kristine Bonds (R)
2014
- See also: Michigan State Senate elections, 2014
Elections for the Michigan State Senate took place in 2014. A primary election was held on August 5, 2014, and a general election took place on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was April 22, 2014. Michael D. Smith defeated Tom Crawford in the Democratic primary. Incumbent Mike Kowall defeated Matt Maddock and Ron Molnar in the Republican primary. Kowall defeated Smith in the general election.[2][3][4][5]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican |  Mike Kowall Incumbent |
58.5% | 52,797 | |
| Democratic | Michael Smith | 41.5% | 37,489 | |
| Total Votes | 90,286 | |||
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
|---|---|---|
|
Michael D. Smith |
61.3% | 6,867 |
| Tom Crawford | 38.7% | 4,332 |
| Total Votes | 11,199 | |
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
|---|---|---|
|
Mike Kowall Incumbent |
49.8% | 11,344 |
| Matt Maddock | 42.7% | 9,721 |
| Ron Molnar | 7.5% | 1,707 |
| Total Votes | 22,772 | |
2012
Kowall announced in July 2011 that he would run for election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2012. The 11th District, where Kowall planned to run, was represented at the time by Thaddeus McCotter (R), who at the time was running for President of the United States. Kowall said the newly drawn redistricting map would bolster his campaign because his entire Senate district was contained within the 11th Congressional District.[6] On January 18, 2012, following McCotter's decision to end his campaign and run for re-election instead, Kowall suspended his campaign.[7]
2010
- See also: Michigan State Senate elections, 2010
Kowall won election to the 15th District of the Michigan State Senate in 2010. He defeated Democrat Pam Jackson in the November 2 general election.[8]
| Michigan State Senate, District 15 General election (2010) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | |||
| Mike Kowall (R)
|
65,216 | |||
| Pam Jackson (D) | 39,233 | |||
Campaign themes
2018
Kowall’s campaign website stated the following:
| “ |
Autonomous Vehicles In the State Senate, I’ve been at the forefront of efforts to expand autonomous vehicles, authoring a new law that will help provide safer transportation, better mobility and a stronger economy. My legislation will expand research and testing so that we can get autonomous vehicles to market quickly and safely. Advances in technology will allow Michigan’s auto industry to lead the world, creating more jobs for our workers. In Congress, I will form an Autonomous Vehicle Caucus, bringing together fellow policy-makers interested in driving this important part of our future economy. Foreign Policy I support a strong U.S. foreign policy that stands with our allies, holds rogue nations accountable, and aggressively combats terrorism. I will stand with Israel – one of our most steadfast allies – and defend them from threats in the region. I will hold Iran, North Korea, and Syria accountable and support sanctions where necessary. And I will support efforts to curb Chinese and Russian economic expansion throughout the globe. A strong foreign policy must be backed by a strong military and I will make sure our Armed Forces have the resources they need to remain the most powerful fighting force in the world. Immigration A nation that doesn’t defend its borders is not sovereign. We simply must enforce federal immigration laws if we care about our national security. In addition to preventing against increased risks of terrorism, strong borders defend against human and drug trafficking, which is ravaging families and communities throughout the country. In the State Senate, I authored legislation prohibiting local government from enacting or enforcing so-called “Sanctuary City” laws. Sanctuary cities prevent law enforcement and other government agencies from notifying federal authorities of a person’s immigration status and is a direct subversion of federal law. My bill would prohibit any state funding or other resources from going to sanctuary cities. Military and Our Veterans The men and women who put their lives at risk to protect our freedoms deserve more than our gratitude – they deserve loyalty and support. That doesn’t end when they take off the uniform and reenter civilian life, that remains our vow. For the last three years, I’ve traveled the state to present nearly 10,000 Vietnam veterans with service pins recognizing their valor and their sacrifice and commemorating the 50th Anniversary. In 2017, the VFW named me their “Michigan Legislator of the Year,” and in 2016, the Vietnam Veterans for American awarded me their “Certificate of Appreciation. As a member of Congress, I will make sure we rebuild our military, support our troops with the best equipment available, and provide for their health and welfare when they return. Taxes Michigan taxpayers will save millions from Republican Tax Reform. In the 11th District alone, the average middle class family of four will save $4,111 a year in taxes. As a result, businesses across the country have given bonuses to their employees, including General Motors, which gave every hourly worker a $11,750 bonus. Reforming our tax code is key to growing our economy and creating new jobs and as a member of Congress, I will fight to make the tax cuts permanent and other ways to ease the tax burden. I will also push the end the Death Tax, which double-taxes our family farmers and businesses. Terrorism and Homeland Security The #1 job of government is to keep us safe and that means protect our homeland from terrorism – foreign and domestic. We rely on our Armed Forces to protect us in times of war, but over the last 17 years, we’ve called on them to do much more as we fight an international War on Terror. In Congress, I will work with our intelligence agencies to make sure they have cutting age technologies that will help stop terror before it occurs, and with our first responders and public safety personnel so that they have the tools they need if tragedy occurs. |
” |
| —Mike Kowall’s campaign website (2018)[10] | ||
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
Scorecards
A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.
Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.
Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of Michigan scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.
2018
In 2018, the Michigan State Legislature was in session from January 10 through December 31.
- Legislators and candidates are scored on their economy policy views.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to agriculture.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to environmental issues.
- Legislators are scored on a number of bills selected by the editor of MIRS, a state capitol newsletter.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to conservative issues.
- National Federation of Independent Business in Michigan: 2017-2018 voting record
- Legislators are scored based on their votes on small business issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
2017
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2017, click [show]. |
|---|
|
In 2017, the Michigan State Legislature was in session from January 11 through December 31.
|
2016
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2016, click [show]. |
|---|
|
In 2016, the Michigan State Legislature was in session from January 13 through December 31.
|
2015
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2015, click [show]. |
|---|
|
In 2015, the Michigan State Legislature was in session from January 14 through December 17.
|
2014
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2014, click [show]. |
|---|
|
In 2014, the Michigan State Legislature was in session from January 8 through December 31.
|
2013
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2013, click [show]. |
|---|
|
In 2013, the Michigan State Legislature was in session from January 9 to December 31.
|
2012
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2012, click [show]. |
|---|
|
In 2012, the Michigan State Legislature was in session from January 11 to December 27.
|
2011
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2011, click [show]. |
|---|
|
In 2011, the Michigan State Legislature was in session from January 12 to December 28.
|
Endorsements
2014
In 2014, Kowall's endorsements included the following:
- Right to Life of Michigan[11]
See also
- United States House of Representatives
- Michigan's 11th Congressional District election, 2018
- Michigan's 11th Congressional District
External links
- Search Google News for this topic
- Profile from Open States
- Biography from Project Vote Smart
- Legislative Profile from Project Vote Smart
- Campaign Contributions: 2012, 2010
- Campaign Facebook page
Footnotes
- ↑ Romney for President, "Mitt Romney Announces Support of Michigan Speaker of The House Jase Bolger and Additional Members of The Michigan Legislature," September 19, 2011 (Archived)
- ↑ Michigan Secretary of State, "State Senator," accessed August 6, 2014
- ↑ Michigan Secretary of State, "State Senator," accessed December 5, 2014
- ↑ Michigan Secretary of State, "2014 Official Michigan Primary Candidate Listing," accessed May 27, 2014
- ↑ Michigan Secretary of State, "2014 Official Michigan General Candidate Listing," accessed September 8, 2014
- ↑ Observer & Eccentric, "State senator plans to run for McCotter's seat," July 14, 2011
- ↑ Detroit Free Press, "State Sen. Mike Kowall to suspend campaign for Congress," January 18, 2012 (Archived)
- ↑ Michigan Secretary of State, "Election Results - General Election - November 02, 2010," March 2, 2011
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Mike Kowall for Congress, “Issues,” accessed June 15, 2018
- ↑ Right to Life of Michigan, "Elections," accessed June 18, 2014
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by -- |
Michigan State Senate District 15 2011 - 2018 |
Succeeded by Jim Runestad (R) |
| Preceded by -- |
Michigan House of Representatives District 44 1998 – 2002 |
Succeeded by -- |
