Though it’s been said that Republican Party candidates in primary elections are all same in their stands on issues, one of the eight who seek the GOP nomination for 80th District State Representative Nov. 3 says he’s different.
Kevin Travis, who hails from Hopkins and actually lives in Watson Township, insists he differs from the others as a strong Libertarian who wants less government interference with peoples’ lives.
Travis, a judicial law clerk in the Circuit Court office of Judge Kevin Cronin, identifies himself as a strong supporter of Second Amendment rights, but doesn’t believe the government has any business regulating personal matters.
For example, Travis told the Watson Township Board he is in favor of legalizing marijuana, regulating and taxing it and then using the money to fund fixing roads rather than raising taxes on the public.
Travis also spoke about promoting a hops industry in Allegan County, which he believes is prime territory to get into the booming business of craft beer brewing.
“I am a quality, compliance, continuous-improvement, and legal professional with nine years of experience working in an FDA regulated industry (at Perrigo) and two years working in local government,” he said on his web site. “I was twice formally recognized for my leadership and continuous improvement skills with the Perrigo Global Quality Award, and was selected for training to earn my Lean Six-Sigma Green Belt. Even in my current role working in local government I still utilize my Lean tools to ensure that taxpayers’ money is used efficiently and effectively.
Travis earned a law degree with specialties in legal analysis (contracts/ regulatory rules), program/project management, process improvement, problem solving and change management.
He also was a continuous improvement engineer at Perrigo, an analyst for Kent County government and a writing consultant for Western Michigan University.
Seven other Republicans will be on the ballot in the Nov. 3 special primary election to replace State Rep. Cindy Gamrat, who was expelled by her colleagues in Lansing for her role in a coverup of her extra-marital affair with State Rep. Todd Courser, who resigned before being expelled Sept. 11.
Both Courser and Gamrat are back on the ballot in their respective primaries.
The other six candidates in the 80th District are Mary Whiteford of Casco Township, James Storey of Holland, Willis Sage of Trowbridge Township, Shannon Szukala of Martin, Eric DeWitt of Holland and James Siver of Fennville.
The winner of the primary will face retired Judge David Gernant, a Democrat, of Plainwell, in the March 8 general election.
PHOTO: Kevin Travis
