Steve Pestka
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This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates. |
Steve Pestka was a 2012 Democratic candidate who sought election to the U.S. House to represent the 3rd Congressional District of Michigan.
Biography
Upon graduating from East Grand Rapids High School, Pestka attended Grand Rapids Community College and later graduated from the University of Michigan in 1974. He became Assistant Prosecuting Attorney for Kent County after receiving his law degree from the Detroit College of Law in 1978. He became a member of the Kent County Board of Commissioners in 1992 and served three terms. In 1998, Pestka was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives, where he served two terms. In 2003, then-Governor Jennifer Granholm appointed Pestka as judge for the 17th Circuit Court in Kent County. In 2009, Pestka left the court to help his father run his family business.[1]
Career
Pestka's career highlights are listed below.[2]
- Attorney, Private Practice (1980-present)
- Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, Kent County (1978-1980)
- Judge, 17th Circuit Court (2003-2009)
- Michigan State Senator (1992-2002)
- Commissioner, Kent County's 11th District (1992-1998)
Elections
2012
Pestka was defeated by incumbent Justin Amash.[3] Pestka ran in the 2012 election for the U.S. House to represent Michigan's 3rd District. He defeated Trevor Thomas in the August 7 Democratic primary. He faced Republican incumbent Justin Amash and Bill Gelineau (L) in the general election on November 6, 2012.[4]
General election
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Steve Pestka | 44.2% | 144,108 | |
| Republican |  Justin Amash Incumbent |
52.6% | 171,675 | |
| Libertarian | Bill Gelineau | 3.2% | 10,498 | |
| Write-in | Steven Butler | 0% | 2 | |
| Total Votes | 326,283 | |||
| Source: Michigan Secretary of State "Official Election Results, 2012 General Election" | ||||
Primary results
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
|---|---|---|
|
Steve Petska |
58.9% | 13,408 |
| Trevor Thomas | 41.1% | 9,373 |
| Total Votes | 22,781 | |
Media
The following is a campaign ad released by Pestka on September 20, 2012.[5]
Steve Pestka, "Supporting"[6] |
Polls
| Steve Pestka vs. Justin Amash | |||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poll | Steve Pestka | Justin Amash | Margin of error | Sample size | |||||||||||||||
| (August 18-21, 2012) | 50% | 42% | +/-4.4 | Unknown | |||||||||||||||
| Note: The polls above may not reflect all polls that have been conducted in this race. Those displayed are a random sampling chosen by Ballotpedia staff. If you would like to nominate another poll for inclusion in the table, send an email to editor@ballotpedia.org. | |||||||||||||||||||
Campaign issues
On his campaign website, Pestka lists thirteen issues. They are:[7]
- Economy
Excerpt: "Advancement of the middle class and the American way of life is one of my most important goals. Our middle class should be supported and strengthened – a strong America depends on a strong middle class."
- Manufacturing
Excerpt: "We need to continue building a diverse economy with good-paying jobs. Michigan’s historic manufacturing base – building both cars and furniture – did a lot more than just teach the world about those products; it taught the world how to develop a dynamic economy. No country can leave behind its manufacturing base, and we need to implement policies which support Michigan's great manufacturers, and which will lead to higher wages, better jobs, and a more educated and stronger workforce."
- Taxation and the deficit
Excerpt: "The deficit and taxation are tied together. While the current debt level is unsustainable, there has to be a comprehensive effort to draft an equitable tax system so that all taxpayers are treated fairly."
- Infrastructure
Excerpt: "I believe there needs to be a major investment in infrastructure. Investment in our roads and bridges helps to strengthen our homes, our neighborhoods, our state, and our country. Infrastructure projects will also help create more good jobs and get Michigan residents back to work."
- Environment
Excerpt: "Our state – and our entire country - belongs to all of us and it needs to be protected. As a state legislator, I consistently had a 100 percent voter rating from the League of Conservation Voters and I will continue to fight to protect the environment in Congress."
- Energy
Excerpt: "We need a sensible approach to our energy future. We should encourage and pursue alternative energy, but we also must understand that those sources won’t immediately fulfill our energy needs overnight."
- Health care
Excerpt: "I believe all human beings have a right to health care. A healthier society is less expensive to maintain than an unhealthy one. We need to pursue common sense health care policies that expand accessibility, demand quality, and reign in costs."
- Social safety net
Excerpt: "Medicare and Social Security were tremendous steps toward senior Americans being able to enjoy their golden years with a level of dignity and comfort. We need to strengthen and continue these programs, not dismantle them."
- K-12 Education
Excerpt: "I am a strong proponent of public schools. They are the foundation of our great nation. We have a responsibility to our children and educators to make sure that our public schools have the resources they need so that every student receives a quality education."
- Higher education and student debt
Excerpt: "College attainment is becoming today what a high school diploma was a generation ago. If our country is to compete for good-paying jobs and industries in a global economy, we cannot continue on our current path of saddling our young people with tens of thousands in debt before they even enter the job market."
- Agriculture
Excerpt: "Family farms have always been extremely important to West Michigan. We need to commit to policies that will better allow our farmers to safely bring their products to market and ensure families can maintain their farms from generation to generation."
- Foreign Policy
Excerpt: "The United States is and will remain the dominant figure in the world. It has always been a model and beacon of hope for other nations. Our need for engagement and protection of our national interests must be a balanced approach that still respects other countries. We need to remain committed to our allies and continue working towards a safer and more peaceful world."
- Working to solve our problems
Excerpt: "My entire professional experience in business and in public service has always placed an emphasis on bringing people together to solve complex problems. I have never promoted a narrow ideological viewpoint, and I never will."[7]
Campaign finance summary
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Recent news
This section links to a Google news search for the term "Steve + Pestka + Michigan + House"
Personal
Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Pestka is married to his wife, Alicia. They have one child together.[8]
External links
- Official Campaign Page
- Twitter Account
- Facebook Page
- WoodTV News Video
- Steve Pestka's Vote Smart Profile
Footnotes
- ↑ Vote Pestka, "Biography" May 21, 2012
- ↑ Pestka's Vote Smart Profile, Career (accessed: October 5, 2012
- ↑ Politico, "2012 Election Map, Michigan"
- ↑ Associated Press, "Michigan - Summary Vote Results," accessed May 30, 2014
- ↑ Pestka's Campaign Website, News (accessed: October 5, 2012)
- ↑ YouTube channel
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Vote Pestka, "Issues" June 5, 2012
- ↑ Pestka's Vote Smart Profile, Biography (accessed: October 5, 2012)
