State

State Representative, 44th District

Vote for: 1
Term: 2 years
Candidates: 2
Election: Nov 3, 2026

What this office does: A state representative votes on Michigan laws and the state budget on behalf of the district.

Covers part of Calhoun County.

Candidates Compare by issue

Jim Haadsma

Democratic

Attorney, McCroskey Law

The gist

Supported repealing Michigan's right-to-work law as Labor chair.
Supports moving Michigan toward renewable energy.
Supports banning utility shutoffs in extreme weather.
Supports consistent and fair public school funding.
Supports due process for all residents regardless of status.

More about Jim

View sources (1)

Supported repealing Michigan's right-to-work law as Labor chair.
VOTE411 voter guide: Michigan House District 44
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters of Michigan Education Fund · onyourballot.vote411.org
“I was incredibly proud to be Labor Chair … legislation was repealed in Michigan”
Supports moving Michigan toward renewable energy.
VOTE411 voter guide: Michigan House District 44
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters of Michigan Education Fund · onyourballot.vote411.org
“I proudly voted to put Michigan on track towards renewable energy”
Supports banning utility shutoffs in extreme weather.
VOTE411 voter guide: Michigan House District 44
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters of Michigan Education Fund · onyourballot.vote411.org
“to prevent shutoffs during winter's coldest and summer's hottest months”
Supports consistent and fair public school funding.
VOTE411 voter guide: Michigan House District 44
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters of Michigan Education Fund · onyourballot.vote411.org
“I would advocate for consistent and fair funding for public schools”
Supports due process for all residents regardless of status.
VOTE411 voter guide: Michigan House District 44
Candidate questionnaire · League of Women Voters of Michigan Education Fund · onyourballot.vote411.org
“Fair treatment and due process are non-negotiable”

Steve Frisbie

RepublicanIncumbent

State representative; retired paramedic · Pennfield Township

The gist

Sponsored bill keeping medical debt off credit reports.In office
Voted for a smaller state budget with no tax increases.In office
Supports ending secret severance payouts to departing state officials.In office
Secured $750,000 to rehabilitate Battle Creek homes.In office

In office = from the candidate's own official statements or legislation as an officeholder, not their campaign.

More about Steve

View sources (4)

Sponsored bill keeping medical debt off credit reports.
House advances Rep. Frisbie bill helping patients navigate medical bills
Public statement · Michigan House Republicans · gophouse.org
“House Bill 6072 would ensure patients have clear access to hospital financial assistance programs and are protected from having medical debt reported”
Voted for a smaller state budget with no tax increases.
Rep. Frisbie fulfills commitment to rein in spending in Lansing, helps advance responsible state budget
Public statement · Michigan House Republicans · gophouse.org
“The people I represent cannot afford to pay more in taxes as they battle inflation”
Supports ending secret severance payouts to departing state officials.
Rep. Frisbie aims to stop bloated severance payouts funded by taxpayers
Public statement · Michigan House Republicans · gophouse.org
“helped advance a plan to end the secret practice of Michigan giving huge severance payments to departing state employees”
Secured $750,000 to rehabilitate Battle Creek homes.
Rep. Frisbie secures state funding to improve Washington Heights homes
Public statement · Michigan House Republicans · gophouse.org
“inclusion of his $750,000 legislative spending request in the fiscal year 2027 state budget to help rehabilitate homes in Battle Creek's Washington Heights neighborhood”

Challengers are listed first and incumbents last; otherwise candidates appear in ballot order. The Gist does not rank, rate or endorse candidates. Only positions backed by a cited source are shown; 9 issues covered in this race.