Politics & Government

On the Ballot: Who's Running for State Representative in Royal Oak

Patch is giving voters a look at who's running in the Aug. 7 primary, happening Tuesday.

Royal Oak's August primary happens tomorrow, and there's a lot of issues and candidates on the ballot.

As you prepare to go to the polls tomorrow, Patch wants to help you get a final grasp on who's running, what they stand for and what issues are on the table.

State Representative - 26th District

Royal Oak will be voting for the Republican and Democratic candidate who will run for the seat in the Michigan House of Representatives in the 26th District, which is made up of Royal Oak and Madison Heights.

Find out what's happening in Royal Oakwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Republicans

Running on the Republican ticket are a retired school teacher and a business coach. Self-identified Republicans will vote for one of these two:

Find out what's happening in Royal Oakwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

  • Residence: Madison Heights
  • Occupation/Experience: Bliss, 26, is a business dashboard strategist and Key Performance Indicator (KPI) coach.
  • Statement of purpose: "The choice to run for a public office is a difficult one and as such you need a very big “WHY’ to go forward with it. For the prototypical politician this “why” might have to do with a political career, a desire to join the political elite, or a future career as a lobbyist. For me, I’m running because I believe that we deserve a representative who has “walked the walk” and truly knows the community they’re casting votes to represent. As a 3rd generation lifelong resident I understand the concerns of our citizens because they are my concerns too. Unlike “drive-by” politicians looking forward to their next office I’m focused solely on you and your family."

  • Residence: Royal Oak
  • Occupation/Experience: Sayre, 70, is a retired Detroit public school teacher and former trustee with the Pontiac Board of Education.
  • Statement of purpose: "I am not running for office as much as volunteering to represent my neighbors in the Michigan House, 25th District. It is my wish to apply my core values and the principles of Constitutional Conservatism at no cost to the voter. The Detroit Free Press wrote, 'Sayre, a retired teacher, is running an idiosyncratic campaign offering to serve as a sort of volunteer legislator . . .'" Read more.

Democrats

Only one Democrat will be on the August primary; he will also be on the ballot in the November general election:

  • Residence: Royal Oak
  • Occupation/Experience: Townsend, 46, is the incumbent serving the 26th District.
  • Statement of purpose: "I'm running for re-election because I love the people and places of Michigan and I believe the talent and integrity of our people and the quality of our communities are the keys to our future. But career politicians, who thrive on conflict not results, have convinced too many of us that we can’t come together to invest in what matters and discard what doesn’t work.  I’m running for re-election to the office of State Representative because I think we can do better than that. At this crucial moment, it’s time for new leadership."


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