Ahead of the Aug. 7 primary election, 7 Action News is sitting down with candidates for governor and U.S. Senate to learn more about them and their ideas.
We spoke with Shri Thanedar, a Democratic candidate for governor. Below are his answers to our questions. Watch the video above.
Q: What doesn't the average person know about your interests and hobbies, who you are outside politics?
A: I love "Beatles" music. I'm also a science lover and have a passion for the arts. Performing arts. The play called the "Blue Circus." My life’s memoirs. My life story I’ve told as an immigrant.
Q: What are your thoughts on current Michigan gun laws?
A: I support the second amendment. People have a right to keep and bear arms. However, we need to keep guns out of the hands of people who would do harm. People with severe mental illness should not have access to guns.
Q: Legalization of marijuana is a huge topic of debate. What is your stance?
A: That's a personal choice. I support the recreational use ballot proposal. I feel that’s a personal a issue and as a scientist, I also know marijuana has some medicinal benefits.
Q: How can we provide a better education for students in Michigan? Do you support charter schools?
A: I do support school of choice. But, charter schools should not be run by corporations for profit. We need to make them all non profit. Also, to have early childhood education with a full day of pre-school and kindergarten. Teach young children early in their life, so we don’t have to worry about 3rd grade math or 4th grade reading. In addition, we need higher pay for teachers.
Q: Roads in Michigan are among the worst in the nation. What will you do to fix this major infrastructure problem?
A: I would cut down the tax incentives given to big corporations. We could use those additional taxes for better roads. Certainly the money from recreational use of marijuana will also have revenues coming from that.
Q: The Flint Water Crisis is an ongoing issue for the people in that city, and a scar for the state of Michigan. What needs to be done next?
A: We need to eliminate the emergency manager law that got us there, and monitor the health of every Flint resident that got exposed to lead. Run the state like a "family" and not a business.
Q: After being seen taking photos with Marco Rubio at a campaign event, how do you respond to critics who question your party affiliation as a democrat?
A: I’m interested in taking our country and state to the next level. I always make it a point to listen to both sides of politics. I am a democrat. I've also taken photos with Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden, as well as Presidents Clinton and Obama.
