Jason Tunney Discusses Key Issues in Michigan Senate Race Interview

Tunney cites taxes, energy costs and education as top concerns ahead of May 5 vote

MID-MICHIGAN — Republican candidate Jason Tunney says frustration over a vacant state Senate seat and concerns about Michigan’s economic direction led him to enter the race for the 35th District, while Democrat Chedrick Greene is seeking to hold the seat for his party in a closely watched special election.

I reached out to Chedrick Greene’s campaign for an interview, but they declined, saying they are focused on get-out-the-vote efforts.

The May 5 election will fill the vacancy left by Kristen McDonald Rivet, who resigned after winning a seat in Congress. The district includes portions of Saginaw, Bay and Midland counties and represents about 270,000 residents.

Tunney, a Saginaw native, attorney and former assistant prosecutor, said the delay in calling the special election left residents without a voice in Lansing.

“I think it was an abuse of executive authority to sit on that for that long,” Tunney said. “It silences democracy because the people… had no voice in the state Senate.”

Tunney, who also spent two decades working for his family’s business, said his experience in the private sector would shape his approach to governing.

“When you run a small business… you have to make decisions,” he said. “We’re going to do this, but we can’t do that… and elected officials do not feel that way.”

He argued Michigan faces challenges tied to taxes, regulation and population loss, saying the state is not keeping pace with others in the region.

“We are not a high-growth state,” Tunney said. “We’re not going to tax our way out of the problems in this state.”

Tunney also criticized state economic development incentives, pointing to what he described as a low success rate in attracting jobs.

“The MEDC has a 9% success rate in luring these new companies in,” he said. “That is a bad investment.”

On energy policy, Tunney said Michigan’s transition toward renewable energy sources could lead to higher costs for residents.

“It’s a promise your energy bills will skyrocket if that green energy plan continues,” he said.

He also raised concerns about education, citing low reading proficiency and absenteeism.

“I am appalled by the fact that we’re 44th… in fourth-grade reading,” Tunney said. “We have got to get these kids reading in third grade.”

Tunney said he believes bipartisan cooperation is possible if elected.

“I am sure I can work with people on the other side of the aisle,” he said.

His opponent, Chedrick Greene, is a fire captain and U.S. Marine Corps Reserve veteran from Saginaw. Greene is running in what Democrats view as a critical race to maintain their narrow majority in the Michigan Senate.

Absentee voting is already underway across the district. The winner of the special election will serve the remainder of the current term and will need to run again in November for a full four-year term.