St. Joseph man announces Michigan State Senate campaign

LANSING, Mich. -- With Senator John Proos' seat up for grabs come the 2018 midterm election season, a new candidate has added their name to the ballot.

Democrat Ian Haight, a former Clerk for Hagar Township in Berrien County, and resident of St. Joseph County, is running for the 21st District seat which Senator Proos has represented since 2010.

The 21st District is comprised of Berrien, Cass, and St. Joseph counties, and is up for grabs because Senator Proos is term limited, and cannot run again.

Haight listed his goals and desires for the district and possible constituents, stating his main concerns were, “Good-paying jobs, access to educational opportunities, and affordable healthcare are the concerns I hear people talk about repeatedly.”

He went on to say, “Wages have not significantly increased for most people, even while the stock market has been booming. In education, repeated cuts by a Republican controlled state legislature have weakened public education and decreased Michigan’s ability to compete for new business. The ongoing debates about healthcare prove how important access to affordable, quality healthcare is to Americans.”

Senator Proos, a respected Republican who passed major legislation in a minority house, has defined his career with his chairmanship of The Michigan House Republican Task Force on Jobs, and has championed the "More jobs, Less Government" political philosophy during his tenure in the district.

Haight also believes listening is a key part of leadership, stating, “During my years as Hagar Township Clerk, I enjoyed working with constituents, listening to their concerns, and trying to help them in their interactions with local government. I have always thought a good politician listens twice as much as he talks.”

The candidate was raised in rural Southwestern Michigan and graduated from Kalamazoo College as well as Wayne State University.

Haight is married with two children and is an educational technology specialist at Berrien RESA.

You can find more information on Ian Haight at ianhaightforsenate.com.