In Northern Michigan’s 101st state House District, incumbent Republican Rep. Joseph Fox is facing a challenge from Democrat Christopher Crain.
The district includes all of Newaygo County, most of Wexford and Lake Counties and parts of Mason and Oceana counties.
Fox, a reverend and former Christian school administrator, cites faith as his motivation for office.
Crain, a veteran, business owner and township planning commissioner, aims to improve Michigan’s quality of life.
Fox won in 2022 with over two-thirds of the vote, and the district likely will remain Republican.
Fox identifies inflated living costs and illegal immigration as key Northern Michigan concerns.
“There just are millions of people who are coming into our country,” he said. “I know there’s not a lot in the 101st district, but it is, I think, heavy on people’s minds.”
Crain says he would strive to improve overall quality of life for Michigan residents.
“I say quality of life, because, as you well know, when we’re talking about cost of living issues or we’re talking about other concerns — integrated approaches is necessary, because the cost of living includes food, cost of living includes housing and all these other issues,” he said.
On housing, Crain supports local rent controls and short-term rental regulations. He believes these could benefit both tourists and residents by increasing local government rental revenue.
“Our state representation in Lansing really needs to look at, how can we benefit both while mitigating the negative impacts of any other further or more extensive regulation, and how much of that is going to be necessary?,” he said.
Fox encouraged further public-private partnerships to increase housing supply.
“It’s gotta be a cooperation between local government, state government, and between, the building trades, the contractors,” he said.
Fox says he opposes a recent Michigan Supreme Court ruling that allows a 2018 citizen-led ballot initiative to go into effect early next year, raising the minimum wage and beginning the process of eliminating the tipped wage.
“I have yet to hear waitress or a bartender or, you know, somebody who’s in the in the dish room complaining because of their of their wage — because they get tips,” he said.
Crain says he supports standardizing the state’s minimum wages, but that the state should consider easing operating expenses by reducing alcohol sale fees.
“It’s really important that lawmakers work with the hospitality industry and other industry leaders to figure out ways to help mitigate these new challenges that are going to come into play,” he said.