Bill Emmerich
Republican Michigan House of Representatives candidate for District 54 Bill Emmerich said, “I am for strong individualism, and resist special treatment for any groups. I am for open access and availability for women’s health. But, I am not for the public paying for contraception and other individual life choices – not a government function.”
Emmerich is the information technology manager at A&D Technology Inc., a manufacturer of test equipment and other research technology products. Previously, he worked in management for a retail electronics chain.
He studied at the University of Michigan on a Navy ROTC scholarship, and graduated as an industrial and operations engineer. He lives in Ypsilanti.
Emmerich is running on the concept of a “Six Step Turnaround” for Michigan. The steps include:
1. Responsibly manage finances
2. Efficiently and effectively provide public services
3. Create a competitive business climate
4. Strategically invest for future growth
5. Accelerate the economic growth of cities and metros
6. Leverage assets to grow the new Michigan
Emmerich has no previous political experience. He believes in protecting the environment, and Washtenaw County in particular should focus on supporting agriculture, tourism, outdoor activities and renewable energy.
He is also in favor of Michigan becoming a right-to-work state, believes in tax cuts for businesses and in promoting internships. He is opposed to government funded abortions, believes that illegal immigrants are harmful to the government and supports tax rates being based on income.
David Rutledge
David Rutledge is currently running for reelection, having been elected to the Michigan House of Representatives in 2010. He served on the Education, Regulatory Reform and Local, Regional and Intergovernmental Affairs committees.
Rutledge is currently the owner and president of Esourceful, an environmental services company based in Ypsilanti. He earned his undergraduate degree in political science in Nashville, Tenn. and completed his graduate work at both Harvard and University of Michigan’s law schools.
Rutledge is also a military veteran, having served in the United States Air Force as a personnel and administrative officer and achieving the rank of Captain. He is married to Geraldine Simmons Rutledge, a retired elementary school teacher, and they have two children, Marcus and Felicia, as well as two grandchildren.
Rutledge believes that education for youth is one of the most important issues in the election. He believes every child should have a chance to be educated to compete in the global economy. He thinks education should be a top priority for state governments.
Rutledge also feels strongly about the economy. He believes our economic focus should be on creating jobs, not on giving businesses more rights than individual citizens.
Rutledge, in the past, has voted no on many bills, including raising the minimum age that children can enter kindergarten, teacher tenure standards, employee contribution to health care benefits and abortion requirements. He voted yes on requiring insurance companies to cover autism and for health care coverage for autism.
