Lily Cheng-Schulting of Gaines Township has announced she will be a candidate for 72nd District State Representative, which takes in the City of Wayland and the townships of Wayland, Dorr and Leighton.
Schulting, who describes herself as a Progressive Democrat, will challenge Rep. Steve Johnson of Wayland, a Republican who is likely to be seeking his third two-year term in next year’s election.
Schulting is well known in the Greater Grand Rapids area as a disability advocate, community organizer and leader, grassroots activist, negotiator and creative problem solver. She characterizes her style as bold, fierce, proven, successful, experienced, and innovative.
She is founder and president at Disability A-TEAM and is community collaborative independent contractor and administrator for “Families with Special Needs Connect.
She said she she plans to fight for issues that “ensures justice and the best government for protecting people who are vulnerable, disadvantaged, disenfranchised or marginalized in any way.”
Schulting faces an uphill battle in a district that has voted Republican for a long time, though in the last two elections the Democratic opponent has approached or exceeded 40 percent. Steve Shoemaker of Leighton Township picked up 41% in 2016.
Schulting has listed the following as key issues:
- Greater Public Engagement and Accountability
- Better Support for Disability Services
- Better Support Services for Schools and their Students, Teachers, and Staff
- Better Support for Vocational Options and Early Childhood Education
- Better Support for Mental Health Services and Healthcare Services
- Ensure Social and Economic Justice for All People
- Protect Jobs and Small Businesses
- Protect Our Environment
- Improve Our Infrastructure
She will have a campaign launch party from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 16, at the Goei Center in Grand Rapids and First Wok will be catering.
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