Christopher Girard

Christopher Girard (Democratic Party) is running for election to the Michigan House of Representatives to represent District 96. Girard is on the ballot in the general election on November 3, 2026. Girard advanced from the Democratic primary on August 4, 2026.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I’m Chris Girard, Mayor of Bay City and a lifelong Bay County resident. I’ve spent more than nine years as a City Commissioner, helped run a disability nonprofit for 14 years, and built a small real estate business here. My wife Molly and I adopted five daughters and have twelve grandchildren — Bay City isn’t just where I work, it’s where my family is rooted. I’m running for State House in HD-96 because the issues I’ve fought for at the local level — roads, property taxes, mental health, good jobs — need a real voice in Lansing.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Bay County roads and water systems are falling apart, and property taxes keep climbing while people’s incomes don’t. I’ve managed infrastructure decisions as Mayor and I know how state funding decisions hit us at the local level. In Lansing, I’ll push for dedicated road funding that actually reaches communities like ours and fight for property tax relief that helps working families and seniors stay in their homes.You can’t have safe communities without addressing the mental health crisis driving so much of what our police and courts are dealing with every day. I’ve served on the Bay-Arenac Behavioral Health board and seen firsthand what happens when people can’t get help. I’ll work to expand mental health services in Bay County and make sure our first responders have the support and resources they need.Too many Bay County kids grow up here and then leave because they don’t see a future. I want to change that. I’ll work to bring good-paying jobs to the region, support local businesses, and make sure we have the infrastructure and workforce training that employers actually need to locate and grow here. If we do this right, the next generation stays and builds something — right here at home.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Infrastructure and property tax relief top the list. I’ve watched Bay County roads deteriorate and seen seniors struggle to stay in homes they’ve owned for decades. Mental health is the other one I feel deeply about. After running a disability nonprofit for 14 years and serving on the Bay-Arenac Behavioral Health board, I’ve seen what happens when people fall through the cracks. And economic development. I want Bay County to be a place where young people can actually build a life, not somewhere they leave to find one.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

My grandparents, Dick and Lois Davis. They spent their lives advocating and fighting for people with disabilities, including my uncle David. Watching them do that left a mark on me. They believed in fighting for people who needed someone in their corner, and that’s where my passion for community service comes from. That’s still what drives me today.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Honesty, even when it’s uncomfortable. I’ve had to tell constituents things they didn’t want to hear, and I think that’s part of the job. Beyond that, you have to actually show up and do the work. Public service isn’t about the title, it’s about being accessible, being accountable, and following through. I also think humility matters. No one person has all the answers, and the best officials know how to listen before they decide.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Represent the people of HD-96, full stop. That means knowing what’s actually happening in Bay County, not just what lobbyists and party leadership say is happening. It means bringing state resources home, fighting for a fair share of road and infrastructure funding, and making sure our local priorities don’t get ignored in Lansing. And it means being reachable. People should be able to call my office and actually get help.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I was taught in scouting that you leave the world a better place than you found it. That stuck with me. As a father of five and a grandfather of twelve, I think about that a lot. I want my kids and grandkids to inherit something better than what we have today. That’s getting harder, honestly, but I’m willing to fight to do my part. That’s really what this is all about.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Working for my dad on job sites. He was a general contractor building homes right here in our community. It taught me early that you don’t wait for things to be handed to you, you show up and you work. Getting your hands dirty isn’t something to be ashamed of, it’s something to be proud of. Those values, hard work, earning what you get, building something real, stuck with me. A lot of who I am today started on those job sites.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

I have ADHD, and honestly my biggest challenge is knowing when to slow down. I’m wired to tackle everything at once, which can be a strength, but balance is something I have to work at. Making sure I’m giving the right things the right attention, at work, at home, in the community, that’s an ongoing effort. I don’t think I’ll ever stop working on it, but I think being aware of it makes you a better leader.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

A working one. The governor and legislature don’t have to agree on everything, but they have to be able to talk and find common ground when it matters. Michigan works best when both branches are focused on results for residents rather than scoring political points against each other. I’ve worked under council-manager government as Mayor and learned that collaboration gets more done than conflict.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Keeping people here. Michigan has been losing population for years and we have to reverse that. That means fixing infrastructure, creating good jobs, making housing affordable, and addressing the mental health crisis that’s hitting every community. If we don’t get serious about those things, we’ll keep watching young people and families leave for somewhere else.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Yes, and anyone who tells you otherwise hasn’t actually done the job. I’ve sat around a lot of tables with people who didn’t agree with me, and you learn fast that digging in and refusing to budge doesn’t get roads fixed or budgets passed. Compromise doesn’t mean abandoning your principles. It means being serious about actually getting things done for the people you represent.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Pending

What was the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember?

The Challenger space shuttle disaster. I remember the whole school just stopped. Everyone was in shock. It was one of those moments where you knew something had changed, even as a kid. You didn’t fully understand it, but you felt the weight of it.