There are now at least four candidates who intend to run for 72nd District State Representative in Lansing.

Steven Johnson, a resident of Wayland Township and a South Christian High School graduate, appeared before the Wayland City Council Monday night to announce his candidacy. He joins Ryan Gallogly, Tony Noto and Robert Coughlin.

The 72^nd District, which includes the City of Wayland and Wayland, Leighton and Dorr townships, has been represented in Lansing by Yonker since January 2011. Yonker is serving his sixth year and now must step down at the end of 2016 because of term limits.

Johnson told the City Council, “I am a Christian first and foremost” and his top issue is abortion.

He said he supports less government and low taxes, noting, “What our Founding fathers realized is that local government is best.”

Tony Noto is a retired teacher and restaurateur Coughlin is a Kentwood City Commissioner and Gallogly is a social studies teacher and former head varsity football coach at East Kentwood High School. The other three candidates live in Gaines Township.

PHOTO: Steven Johnson