Election Central

Our 2024 Climate Voter Campaign

Would you like a Climate Voter yard sign?  Send us an email at VanBurenClimateActionTeam@gmail.com   Put "Voter Sign" in the email title.  Include your name and address in the email message.  We will contact you and arrange for you to get your very own sign to proudly display and encourage others to keep climate issues at the forefront when casting their vote this fall.  We will accept a small donation to help offset costs, but please do not feel obligated.

We are partnering with other grass roots groups to collect and then provide candidate responses to important climate questions.  We plan to update responses as we receive them.  Please feel free to use these questions when you are talking with prospective candidates.  The more they think about climate and the need for action, the better.  Below, you will find questions and responses pertaining to Climate action in Van Buren County first, followed by links to questions and responses pertaining to Climate Action across the State of Michigan.

A large majority of voters across the political spectrum want their elected officials to move quickly toward climate action.  Yet, a large majority of our elected officials seem to have other priorities.  Our elected officials' priorities should match their voters' priorities. 

VBCAT will not endorse candidates, although members of our group may share their personal opinions.  We hope you will look over the candidate responses and make climate action your top issue when choosing your candidates this year.  

A vote for climate action is certainly a vote for clean air, clean water, healthier soil, global security, and calmer weather.  It is also a vote for your pocket book.  VBCAT believes that instead of exporting dollars by importing energy, our county could be importing dollars by exporting energy.  Wind and solar are now the cheapest way to produce energy and our county has both of those in abundance.  A vote for climate action, is a vote for long term, good paying jobs, lowered utility bills and lowered taxes.

Countywide Questions for Candidates for State Representative and for County Commissioners - these have been developed by VBCAT team members.

1.  Please list your civic activities over the last five years. 

2.  Climate science shows we need to drastically reduce emissions by 2030.  What is your timeline for transitioning to renewable energy?  

3. Do you support efforts to implement community solar?

4.  The cost to operate and maintain a small modular nuclear reactor (the most efficient type available) will be $106.92 per kW of generating capacity per year plus some added variable costs.  For solar the cost is $17.16 per kW of generating capacity per year and for wind the cost is $29.64 per kW per year - each with zero added variable costs.  The cost to construct a nuclear reactor averages eight times higher than for wind and ten times higher than for solar.  What is your opinion about restarting the Palisades Nuclear Power Plant in terms of benefits per unit of cost?

5.  Look at past recorded weather patterns or ask any experienced Van Buren farmer or gardener and they will tell you our growing season and weather patterns have changed significantly over the past thirty years.  Spring weather is particularly challenging.  Frost damages fruit buds more often and "false springs" are putting the fruit industry at risk.  Wet fields often make spring grain and vegetable crops difficult to plant.  Prolonged droughts have resulted in a greater need for massive irrigation systems to grow ms crops.  What short term and long term plans would you support to help growers in our county meet the increased climate related challenges that are threatening their success?  Short term:          Long term:

6. What do you see as the biggest challenges to addressing climate change through local policy? How would you collaborate with elected officials, businesses, individuals, and other community stakeholders to address these challenges? 

Countywide Quesions.  We will post the candidates' answers as they become available.  Click below to find the candidates and see their responses below.  Please note:  We do not indicate incumbency status or party affiliation of candidates.

Candidates for the State of Michigan House of Representatives

Joey Andrews (38th District)

George Lucas (38th District)

Kevin Whiteford (38th District)

Kerry Tapper (39th District)

Pauline Wendzel (39th District)

Richard Overton (39th District)

Candidates for Van Buren County Commission

Gail Patterson Gladney  (District 1 

Matheny Michael (District 1 )

Mike Chappell  (District 2)

Nancy Backas (District 3)

Kurt Dorah (District 3)

Richard Godfrey (District 4)

Bill Irwin (District 4)

Randall Peat (District 5 )

Tina Leary (District 6)

Paul Schincariol (District 7)

Doug Cultra (District 7)

Statewide Questions.  We will post the candidates' answers as they become available.  Click below to find the candidates and see their responses below.  Please note:  We do not indicate incumbency status or party affiliation of candidates.

Statewide Questions for state legislators - these have been developed by the Michigan Climate Action Network.