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Who is running in the January 30th election

By Sarah Shurge
The upcoming election will have
two new polling locations. The
polling locations are as follows:
Precinct 1, 2, 4, and 5 will be at
HYPE Athletics (635 Howe Rd).
Precinct 3 and 6 will be at St. Mary
Church (34530 W Michigan Ave).
Voting will be from 7 a.m. – 8
p.m.
This election will be in regard to
a new State Representative for Dis-
trict 25, due to Kevin Coleman win-
ning a mayoral seat in Westland. The
25th District encompasses Wayne,
Westland, parts of Canton, and Dear-
born Heights.
Each candidate was asked for bi-
ographical information, experience,
and to explain why they’re running
for office. Here are their answers:
Peter Herzberg (Democrat) Melandie Hines (Democrat) Josh Powell (Republican)
Peter Herzberg: “I have spent
more than 8 years on the Westland
City Council serving the residents
with pride. It has been my utmost
honor to use my education and life
experience to help better my home-
town. I have learned that doing this
work is incredibly fulfilling as I want
to advocate for issues that are not
only important to me, but to resi-
dents as a whole. This includes our
seniors, our state's education sys-
tem, our environment, and much
more. I believe that I have the experi-
ence to represent the 25th District
well and I am hopeful that the resi-
dents here will see what I bring to
the table and elect me to serve them
in Lansing. We need a representative
in Lansing who will bring back a fair
share of funding to our district and
work on the issues that matter
most.” Shannon Rochon (Democrat) Andrea Rutkowski (Democrat) Layla Taha (Democrat)

Melandie Hines: “Nine years Church in Wayne, Westland Cham- Josh Powell: “My name is Josh form can be summed up in six sim-
serving on the Wayne Westland ber of Commerce, Inkster Chamber Powell and I have been a resident of ple words. Less Government; Less
Board of Education, serving on the of Commerce, Former Inkster Auxil- the area for ten years. I own a home Regulation; Lower Taxes.
Policy and Strategic Planning Com- iary Police Officer. Secured a $24.5 in Westland and my son just gradu- Under the state's current leader-
mittee, Michigan Association of million bond for the Westwood Com- ated from John Glenn last year and ship our constitutional rights are
School Board Master Board Member, munity School District benefiting he is currently attending WCC. I con- being eroded daily. When the previ-
Wayne County Women’s Commission Dearborn Heights and Inkster in the sider this my home and I am heavily ous legislature assumed power in
serving on the Skill Trades Work- 2023 Election. Led a successful invested in Michigan, but I am Lansing, it became open season on
force Development Committee, Edu- $158 million bond campaign in six deeply concerned about the direction our freedoms and liberties in the
cation Committee, Housing communities in Wayne, Westland, the state is headed under its current name of special interest groups and
Committee, and Events Committee, Dearborn Heights, Canton, Inkster, regime and what that means for my the rights of the cities, townships
Executive Board of the 12th Congres- and Romulus in 2018. Twenty years’ family’s future here. I am a veteran and citizens were put on the back
sional District, Mentor for Cupcake experience in financial services com- of the Army where I was an MP, have burner in favor of whichever groups
Princess, Mentor Champions of bined with banking and insurance. degrees in IT and criminal justice could raise the most donations for
Wayne, Alpha Sigma Alpha Sorority, Background in Economic Develop- and currently work in IT for an auto
Member of New Hope Baptist ment and Business Development.” supplier in the Detroit area. My plat- See Election, page 4
The Wayne Dispatch · January 2024 · 3