Businessman looks to unseat career politician

This profile of the race in the 66th District appeared in today’s Daily Press & Argus. You can click the headline above to read the full story.

By Jim Totten
DAILY PRESS & ARGUS
Opponents Mike McGonegal and Chris Ward don't share a lot in common, but they do agree on a couple of things.
The state's economy needs help. Both also like what Massachusetts did to provide universal access to health care.
After that, the two seeking the state representative seat for the 66th District in the Nov. 7 election are a lesson in contrasts. The district includes Brighton, Milford and the townships of Green Oak, Brighton, Genoa, Marion, Oceola and Milford.
With his 30 years of sales and business experience, McGonegal said he knows why companies are leaving Michigan and what should be done to strengthen the economy. He also said his opponent, Ward, lacks the business knowledge to turn things around.
Ward said he has a proven track record of accomplishing goals for his community, including helping to get more money for area schools and getting mothballed transportation projects back on schedule. Ward said he's working hard to get people back to work and deserves to go back for his final term.
McGonegal, 57, worked as an independent manufacturer's rep for 30 years and never run for public office until now. He's always loved politics and followed it closely.
"I'm mad," said McGonegal.
"I've watched from a front-row seat the deindustrialization of Michigan," McGonegal said.
He said the machine-tool companies he calls upon are sending jobs to Italy, Japan and Germany, and the reason is the skyrocketing costs of health care.
McGonegal said the state should follow Massachusetts' lead. That state has launched a program to provide health care for its residents. He said Massachusetts isn't waiting for the federal government to fix health care, and neither should Michigan.
He also believes elected officials need to do more to diversify the economy, and he favors fully funding the Michigan Economic Development Corp. He said the state needs to do a better job of marketing itself with tourism and should promote its universities and use them as magnet for life sciences to attract interest to the state.
McGonegal said he has the "real-world experience" to make that happen.
When he's gone out campaigning door-to-door, McGonegal said he's received a good reception from people even though this is predominantly Republican territory.