State Senator Schauer in Tecumseh as part of campaign kickoff

By DEB WUETHRICH

State Senator Mark Schauer visited Tecumseh last Tuesday during a Lenawee County sweep as he kicked off his campaign for U.S. Congress. Schauer hopes to unseat Rep. Tim Walberg to represent Michigan’s 7th District. First, he goes up against Sharon Renier, D-Munith, for a primary run on August 5.

Schauer said one of the things that differentiates him from his opponent in the Democratic primary is his experience.

“I have a track record of getting results,” he said. “I’ve been working with businesses and Michigan’s workers for 12 years in the Legislature, but also in local government and the non-profit sector.” The Albion College graduate has served in such posts as executive director of the Community Action Agency and Calhoun County Human Services Coordinating Council, as well as acting as a Battle Creek City Commissioner.

Schauer said that his campaign is all about the Michigan economy and how to get Michigan workers back to work in what has been a struggling economy.

“My goal is to help Michigan during what has been a very difficult time for our state,” he said. “We’re really talking about how we can create a level playing field for Michigan. We have seen the result of our workers being at a competitive disadvantage due to the present trade policies as businesses outsource work. We’ve seen it right here in this community with companies like Tecumseh Products. It has brought devastation to Michigan workers and families. I want to create a level playing field for Michigan workers so businesses can compete. My candidacy is about getting results and not about partisan relationships or partisan gridlock.”

Schauer cited some examples of how he has worked with Michigan businesses where talks with colleagues on both sides of the aisle and with the governor have resulted in jobs being added. One Jackson company added 122 jobs rather than expand to Indiana, while another chose a facility in Homer to add 176 manufacturing jobs rather than go to Mexico.

“I think efforts such as this demonstrate what can be accomplished when we work together,” he said. “These are not Democratic or Republican jobs — these are Michigan jobs. The public is looking for solutions to basic economic challenges.”

Schauer said another area high on the minds of constituents he meets throughout the state is the cost of gasoline.

“Gas prices are having a chilling effect throughout the economy,” he said. “One area we’re working on is limiting the rate that credit card companies can charge on transactions at the pump,” he said. “Financial institutions are making enough at the expense of people who are struggling to make ends meet. I want to provide some consumer protections against that.”

Schauer has recently staffed a campaign office at Democratic Headquarters in Adrian at 227 N. Winter Street, and also can be reached at Mark.Schauer@comcast.net. His website is www.markschauer.com.

The campaign was officially kicked off Tuesday afternoon, and Schauer spent time at meetings in both Tecumseh and Adrian during the day, including a stop at The Daily Grind. Schauer also will be in the area on Sunday, July 20, for the Lenawee County Fair parade.

“I think people are looking for elected officials who can very pragmatically get results during this time of great anxiety in this state and country,” he said. “That’s what I’ve done. I’m ready to hit the ground running in Washington and to deliver for people in this district.”