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State Representative, 97th 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 Saginaw, Tuscola, Genesee and Bay counties.

CandidatesCompare by issue

Jack Bader

Democratic

The gist

  • Supports guaranteed health coverage for every Michigan resident.
  • Opposes AI data centers in Michigan.
  • Supports banning political contributions from regulated utilities.
  • Proposes public ownership of AI with a 32-hour workweek.
  • Opposes Flock license plate camera networks.
  • Pledges not to accept corporate PAC money.
More about Jack
View sources (1)

  1. Supports guaranteed health coverage for every Michigan resident.

    Jack Bader for State Representative

    Campaign website · Jack Bader for State Representative · jackbadermi.com

    “I support guaranteed healthcare coverage for every Michigan resident.”

  2. Opposes AI data centers in Michigan.

    Jack Bader for State Representative

    Campaign website · Jack Bader for State Representative · jackbadermi.com

    “I oppose AI data centers in Michigan.”

  3. Supports banning political contributions from regulated utilities.

    Jack Bader for State Representative

    Campaign website · Jack Bader for State Representative · jackbadermi.com

    “I support banning political contributions from regulated utilities and large state contractors”

  4. Proposes public ownership of AI with a 32-hour workweek.

    Jack Bader for State Representative

    Campaign website · Jack Bader for State Representative · jackbadermi.com

    “I support a public ownership model for AI … those gains should support a 32 hour workweek with no loss of pay”

  5. Opposes Flock license plate camera networks.

    Jack Bader for State Representative

    Campaign website · Jack Bader for State Representative · jackbadermi.com

    “I oppose Flock camera networks”

  6. Pledges not to accept corporate PAC money.

    Jack Bader for State Representative

    Campaign website · Jack Bader for State Representative · jackbadermi.com

    “I refuse corporate PAC money.”

Briar Bearss

Republican

Army veteran; housing business owner · Millington area

The gist

  • Supports repealing green-energy mandates.
  • Supports reducing taxes and wasteful spending.
  • Supports keeping Michigan land in Michigan owners' hands.
  • Supports reforming the state education bureaucracy.
More about Briar
View sources (1)

  1. Supports repealing green-energy mandates.

    Briar Bearss for State Representative

    Campaign website · Committee to Elect Briar Bearss · bearssformichigan.com

    “Repeal green-energy mandates.”

  2. Supports reducing taxes and wasteful spending.

    Briar Bearss for State Representative

    Campaign website · Committee to Elect Briar Bearss · bearssformichigan.com

    “Eliminate wasteful government spending. 2. Reduce Michiganders' tax burden.”

  3. Supports keeping Michigan land in Michigan owners' hands.

    Briar Bearss for State Representative

    Campaign website · Committee to Elect Briar Bearss · bearssformichigan.com

    “Keep Michigan land in Michigan hands.”

  4. Supports reforming the state education bureaucracy.

    Briar Bearss for State Representative

    Campaign website · Committee to Elect Briar Bearss · bearssformichigan.com

    “Reform Michigan's education bureaucracy.”

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; 7 issues covered in this race.

State Representative, 97th District · Michigan 2026 General Election · The Gist