State

State Representative, 78th District

Vote for: 1
Term: 2 years
Candidates: 3
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 Ionia, Barry, Kent and Eaton counties.

Candidates Compare by issue

Rachel Gross

Democratic

Nurse · Portland

The gist

Supports safe nurse staffing standards.
Supports restricting student cell phone use during class.
Supports investing in rural rental housing organizations.
Supports expanding access to mental health professionals.

More about Rachel

View sources (1)

Supports safe nurse staffing standards.
Issues — Rachel Gross
Campaign website · Committee to Elect Rachel Gross · votegross.com
“Rachel Gross supports smart, sustainable staffing policies that protect both families and the healthcare workforce.”
Supports restricting student cell phone use during class.
Issues — Rachel Gross
Campaign website · Committee to Elect Rachel Gross · votegross.com
“Rachel Gross supports the Michigan Legislature's recent advancement of House Bill 4141, restricting the use of cell phones during instructional time.”
Supports investing in rural rental housing organizations.
Issues — Rachel Gross
Campaign website · Committee to Elect Rachel Gross · votegross.com
“supports policies aimed at investing in organizations to improve rural rental housing access instead of allowing corporate developers to profit”
Supports expanding access to mental health professionals.
Issues — Rachel Gross
Campaign website · Committee to Elect Rachel Gross · votegross.com
“Rachel supports expanding access to mental health professionals for our children and for adults.”

Brandon L. Strong

Republican

School leader, Barry County Christian Schools · Hastings area

The gist

Supports parents' role and "educational freedom."
Opposes abortion; endorsed by Right to Life of Michigan.
Supports gun rights; endorsed by a gun-owners group.

More about Brandon

View sources (2)

Supports parents' role and "educational freedom."
Brandon Strong for Michigan's 78th District
Campaign website · Brandon Strong CTE · brandonformichigan.com
“He's running to defend ALL of our constitutional rights, support parents, grow local jobs, and keep Lansing accountable … Educational Freedom”
Opposes abortion; endorsed by Right to Life of Michigan.
Brandon's Endorsements
Campaign website · Brandon Strong CTE · brandonformichigan.com
“Right to Life of Michigan”
Supports gun rights; endorsed by a gun-owners group.
Brandon's Endorsements
Campaign website · Brandon Strong CTE · brandonformichigan.com
“the Michigan Coalition for Responsible Gun Owners”

Ben DeJong

Libertarian

The gist

No documented position found.

More about Ben

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; 4 issues covered in this race.