As Nov. 5 quickly approaches, candidates from around the state are making their cases to voters and weighing in on Northern Michigan’s concerns.
Candidates in the 108th State House District shared their thoughts with 9&10 News — incumbent Republican Rep. Dave Prestin is facing a challenge from Democrat Christiana Reynolds, an educator and local activist.
The 108th District includes Luce, Schoolcraft, Delta and Menominee Counties, along with parts of Mackinac and Chippewa Counties. The District includes Manistique, Escanaba, Bay Mills and Menominee.
Prestin was first elected in 2022, defeating opponent Chris Lopez 66%-34%.
Here are the candidates’ responses to 9&10′s questionnaire on the issues most impacting Northern Michigan.
Stay tuned for coverage on other Northern Michigan races and interviews with the candidates.
Absentee ballots are currently available to voters, and in-person early voting will begin by Oct. 26, with some municipalities having expanded availability. For more information on voting options and election administration, visit the Michigan Secretary of State’s office.
1. Please provide a short personal background and your reasons for seeking office.
Reynolds: My name is Christiana Reynolds and I’m running for State Representative in Michigan’s 108th District. I’m a mother, teacher, neighbor, and devoted community member who wants the 108th to realize its potential. I was born and raised in Escanaba Michigan and when I thought about where to settle and raise my kids I came back home. I’d like to help shape the future of our wonderful community by addressing critical issues like childcare, education, housing, and growing the middle class so that our kids don’t feel like they need to leave the 108 to pursue opportunities elsewhere. In our current political climate we need leaders who are in it for the right reasons and have the strength of character to collaborate with fellow party members, experts, and even those from across the aisle.
Prestin: My grandpa always said when times are good around the country, they’re tough in the Upper Peninsula. When times are tough around the country, they’re tougher here. It’s been that way since the U.P. was settled, which is why you need to have Sisu to make it up here. We have the strongest and most hard-working people anywhere in the country right here, and if we can bring new opportunities to our communities, it would have a transformational impact. I am fighting to make the Upper Peninsula a place where our communities can truly thrive, instead of just surviving.
2. What issues do you think are on the minds of Northern Michigan residents as they prepare to cast their votes?
Reynolds: I’ve been knocking doors across the 108 and voters are concerned about women’s reproductive rights, the cost of childcare, the cost of housing, and the state of the economy. The high cost of living has so many families financially strained and losing bodily autonomy is very frightening.
Prestin: The last several years, people have watched prices continue to rise and rise. Everywhere I go, people are disturbed that legislation that was passed by the current majority in Lansing is going to increase their bills. They look at what has been passed over the last two years, and they recognize that their energy bills, food bills, and tax bills are all set to increase. I think they’re thinking seriously about changing the direction that we’ve been heading in.
3. Do you think that short-term rentals in Northern Michigan are properly regulated, and do you think the state should be involved in those regulation efforts?
Reynolds: In the 108 short term rentals are an important income stream for many people. Problems occur when too many homes are snatched up and it puts pressure on the housing market. I believe there’s room for more balanced regulation, ensuring local governments retain control while safeguarding affordable housing options for full-time residents. The state should be involved by offering guidance but not mandating a one-size-fits-all policy.
Prestin: Short-term rentals are most properly regulated by local governments, who are doing a great job protecting local communities while preserving property rights. Any approach on this issue needs to recognize that many of our communities depend on the tourism industry. The housing issue isn’t going to be solved by taking away property rights from homeowners. The number one thing we can do to help the housing shortage is make it easier to build new homes. It is more difficult and more expensive than ever before to build any type of home, and the state needs to tackle that.
4. What, if anything, should the Legislature should do in response to the 2018 ballot initiative/recent Supreme Court ruling that will raise Michigan’s minimum wage and eliminate the tipped wage next year?
Reynolds: The Legislature should respect the spirit of the 2018 ballot initiative, which sought to raise the minimum wage. However, careful consideration must be given to how this impacts the restaurant industry and tipped workers. I support a gradual phase-out of the tipped wage to avoid sudden shocks to small businesses while still raising workers’ earnings.
Prestin: Should the Supreme Court ruling take effect, most of our locally owned restaurants are either going to have to shut down or follow the fast-food model with kiosks instead of waiters and waitresses. Waiters, waitresses, bartenders, and anyone who gets tips knows that this decision will result in an overall cut to their pay. I worked in the food and beverage industry for nearly 30 years, and I know firsthand how devastating this will be for the industry. The legislature must act to stop this ruling from being implemented.
5. What is your stance on the operation of Line Five? If the pipeline were to continue to operate, do you support the construction of a protective tunnel?
Reynolds: I have some serious questions for Enbridge, as from what I understand our state is taking on massive risk with very little reward. If it continues to operate, I would consider the construction of a protective tunnel as a temporary solution, but only if it significantly mitigates the environmental risks and includes a plan to transition away from fossil fuel dependency.
Prestin: Line 5 delivers essential propane that keeps our homes warm here in the Upper Peninsula and across northern Michigan. Any plan to shut down the pipeline will cause propane prices to soar, which is something that our residents can’t afford. I don’t think families should have to choose between heating their homes and putting food on the table. The tunnel project is great because it addresses the concerns some people have, while ensuring that our communities have access to the life-sustaining energy that they need.
6. What is your stance on the set of gun control bills signed into law by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in 2023? If elected, would you support any proposals to impose further gun restrictions or roll back existing restrictions?
Reynolds: I support the gun control measures signed into law by Governor Whitmer, including background checks and safe storage requirements. These are common-sense measures that protect public safety without infringing on Second Amendment rights. I am open to further restrictions, such as red flag laws, to prevent firearms from falling into the wrong hands, but I would oppose any extreme measures that overreach.
Prestin: The laws signed by the Governor spit in the face of the Upper Peninsula and lower Michigan’s outdoor heritage. These laws are so ridiculous that families now need government approval to pass down grandpa’s hunting rifle to the next generation before enjoying opening day this November. Altogether, these laws won’t do anything to keep our communities safe. We’ve had laws on the books to hold criminals accountable long before these dangerous and misguided bills were passed. We can commit ourselves to protecting our 2nd amendment rights and keeping our communities safe, contrary to what the current legislative majority believes.
7. What is your stance on Michigan’s environmental policies, including the requirement that the state be carbon-neutral by 2050?
Reynolds: I fully support Michigan’s goal of becoming carbon-neutral by 2050. Honestly this is a goal that we should have been working towards for years. If we keep kicking the can down the road we are only hurting ourselves in the future. Our state is rich in natural resources, and we must protect it by investing in renewable energy, particularly wind and solar. This will not only help us meet environmental targets but also create new job opportunities in clean energy sectors, particularly in rural areas like the Upper Peninsula.
Prestin: These policies are more anti-energy than pro-environment. There is nothing worse for the environment than energy poverty. The legislation passed by the current majority will drive prices up and decrease energy reliability. For the first time, we faced three max generation events this summer. These events mean that our energy grid was on the verge of collapse due to energy supply not keeping pace with demand. This used to happen occasionally in the winter, but never during the summer. If we don’t reform these laws, rolling blackouts will become part of normal life, and that is unacceptable.
8. Are there any other Northern Michigan concerns that you feel lawmakers in Lansing should be more aware of?
Reynolds: Broadband access and reliable public transit remain major concerns. Many residents in rural Northern Michigan struggle with limited internet access, which affects education, healthcare, and economic opportunities. Additionally, expanding public transportation options could significantly improve mobility and job access for our residents, ensuring economic growth that benefits everyone, not just urban centers.
Prestin: Lawmakers need to think proactively about the unintended consequences of the laws they pass. The current legislative majority has spent the last two years continuing to drive prices up for families. Energy bills, food bills, and tax bills will all be going up as a direct result of laws passed in Lansing this term. Tackling these rising costs and ensuring that we create an environment where families and small businesses can prosper is essential to our communities, both in the U.P. and in northern Michigan.