Who will replace current state Sen. Jim Stamas, R-Midland, who reached his term limit, will be up to voters in the upcoming general election on Nov. 8.

The candidates on the ballot to represent the 36th state Senate District are Republican Michele Hoitenga, of Manton, and Democrat Joel Sheltrown, of Edwards Township near West Branch.

Both candidates have experience in state government, as Hoitenga represented the 102nd state House District for three terms and Sheltrown served the 103rd state House District from 2004 until 2010 after he reached his term limit.

Hoitenga said she has been working in Lansing on recent issues, which makes her a good candidate for the Senate because of the familiarity she has on what is going on currently and what is coming down the pike. She said the relationships she has forged from her time as a state rep will carry over well to the Senate and assist her in helping to get legislation passed and bring funds to the area.

Joel Sheletrown

“When we are young, we see the cartoons on how to get a bill passed, and I did that,” she said. “I have had legislation signed by both a Republican governor and a Democratic governor, so I’m very proud of that.”

Hoitenga said she has a new bill that is being sent to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s desk that hunters in the area will appreciate. Her bill would strike down a bill passed earlier this year that requires people who bag a deer to report it online within 72 hours of retrieving the deer and before the deer is transferred to someone else, such as a processor.

“It is on her desk, and everyone is on high alert to see what she is going to do,” she said.

Sheltrown is a moderate Democrat that said he wants to return to politics from the private sector to help get things done. He said his passed bills while a state rep included one that helped allow people to use crossbows while hunting and that he also helped bring $5 million to Oscoda to have a new airplane hangar built.

He said his prior record speaks for itself, but the primary reason he wants to get back into politics is he believes the country and state are moving in the wrong direction.

“I’m worried about losing our democracy,” he said. “Some of the things that are going on now have me very concerned. We have to get back to getting the politics out of things and elect officials who can get along with everyone. I’m that guy. I don’t care about the politics.”

Sheltrown said that, throughout his political career, he has been endorsed by Right to Life, but this time, he didn’t receive its support. He said that, even though he is a Democrat, he remains anti-abortion, but he also believes certain situations should allow for abortions to be performed.

“I think there still needs to be exceptions,” he said. “Rape and incest, the health of the mother, those need to be exceptions. My position is actually pretty conservative.”

Sheltrown said he also believes a compromise needs to be found on the future of Enbridge Inc.’s Line 5 oil and natural gas pipeline in the Straits of Mackinac and the tunnel project that is proposed to run the duel pipeline though. He said protecting the Great Lakes is always among his highest priorities, but he said he also understands the potential fallout for energy consumers should the line be closed.

“Something needs to be done and done quickly,” he said. “I believe the tunnel would be safe and we have to remember what would happen to our (Upper Peninsula) friends if that line is closed down. I think, if we can put that tunnel in there, then we won’t have to worry about it as much.”

Hoitenga said the tunnel project needs to move forward and she said she will continue to pressure the Whitmer administration to approve the permits needed to begin construction.

“This isn’t just about oil and gas, because the new tunnel will also have other utilities, such as fiber, and open up a whole new world for people who live in rural areas,” she said. “It’s safe, it’s under the lakebed, there are shutoffs in place. The line in the water now is aging, so let’s get it replaced with a reliable tunnel, but we cannot shut it down.”

Both candidates say continued investment in education is needed and the state must be more proactive in helping to solve the housing crisis that is impacting the state, including northern Michigan.

Hoitenga and Sheltrown say state government needs to continue to allocate funds to improve roads and other critical infrastructure.

They also said they would work with other legislators to help find a way to provide some relief at the pump for people.

The Hoitenga file

NAME: Michele Hoitenga

AGE: 53

HOME: Manton

OCCUPATION: Small business owner

ELECTED EXPERIENCE: Three terms in state House

FAMILY: Married, two children

The Sheltrown file

NAME: Joel Sheltrown

AGE: 75

OCCUPATION: Vice president of government affairs for Kapeesh

ELECTED EXPERIENCE: State representative, six years

HOME: Gladwin

FAMILY: Married, three children

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