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 Lt. Gov. Brian Calley, a Republican 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, hobbies and who you are?
A: Physically running. Races. 5k all the way to marathons. Also, I’m in a band called “The Persuaders”. We play lots of music like Kid Rock, Bob Seger and other classics.
Q: What are your thoughts on current Michigan gun laws?
A: When somebody uses a gun for violence, that’s proof they don’t care about laws. You have to deal with the person. That’s the way I would approach this issue, which includes addressing mental health. We also need to harden soft targets.
Q: Legalization of marijuana is a big topic of debate. What is your stance?
A: Don’t support it, but if it passes I’ll do my best as governor to implement the legalization.
Q: How can we provide a better education for students in Michigan? Charter Schools?
A: We need to make sure students start school ready to learn. We need a system for kids who encounter more non educational barriers to get to kindergarten ready to learn. I also support school of choice.
Q: Roads in Michigan are among the worst in the nation. What will you do to fix this major infrastructure problem?
A: As Lt. Governor, I cast the tie breaking vote to fund our roads package. We are going to do more repairs this year, than we have in a long time. My goal would be to further improve engineering and technology, to lower overall cost, and continue to fund more as the economy improves.
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: I wasn’t involved in any way, shape or form when it comes to having an emergency manager chain of command. The Lt. Governor is not in that process. After it happened, there were so many needs the community had moving forward. I was there so much to work on a solution, that in 2016 I had to complete a city of Flint income tax return. It was my place of work. Focusing on education and improved services for kids is a goal, along with preventing bureaucracy from getting in the way of what needs to be done.
Q: Why did you drop support of President Trump after he was recorded making offensive statements about women, only to later re-endorse him?
A: I’ll refer you to my statement. He has delivered as President. Not just here in Michigan but around the globe.
