Jared Polonowski

Jared Polonowski was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan. He earned a high school diploma from Allegan High School, attended Grand Valley State University and Siena Heights University, and earned a bachelor's degree from Aquinas College in 2013. His career experience includes owning a bar/restaurant, working in retail management, and working as a contractor.[1][2]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Jared Polonowski is a father of 5 living in Otsego township. This is his third run for the Michigan legislature with his first being in 2022 where he was the democratic nominee. Jared support all 10 key values of the Green Party. For more information, check out his website or contact him directly.

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?

Fully support and fund public education and educatorsFight for workers rightsRemove pac money from our elections and overturn citizens united

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Public education

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Jared is a life long entrepreneur and working father of four. He grew up in the rural area of Otsego Township. After finishing high school, left Otsego and lived in Georgia, Tennessee and the east side of Michigan and continued his education. In 2010 he returned to the Grand Rapids area to finish his degree, graduating with a bachelors in education from Aquinas College in 2013. In 2015 he made the decision to sell his home in Grand Rapids and move back to Otsego Township and renovated one of the local bars in the city of Otsego. While working on that project, Jared also sat on the local chamber board donating his time to help other local businesses thrive.

Jared is committed to the families and residents of district 39, ensuring that their interest and concerns are those that are protected and represented in Lansing. Jared believes that citizens should always have an open line of communication to the elected representation and he strives to ensure that he is always just a phone or text away from every resident in the district. You will often hear him say "I can not be bought" after all, the reason Jared began this journey was to improve the lives of all Michiganders that continue to be neglected by our current legislators.

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?

We must support and fund public educationWe must support unionization and protect collective bargainingWe must protect and defend our constitutional rights and freedoms

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Those that directly effect the citizens living in my district, education, infrastructure, energy, water, wages healthcare etc

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

Elected officials should hold high moral and ethical standards. They should be the ones to set the example and they should not let any corporation, or special interest interrupt their work to represent the people. Public office is not meant to be self serving, it's meant to protect the public interest, that is their job.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I am Persistent

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

I believe representing the people and protecting their interests are the core responsibilities for someone elected to office.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I would like to leave a better world for my kids.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

There are quite a few historical events that occurred in my lifetime that I remember but the one that really stands out to me is 9/11. I was in 11th grade and I was in physics class when the announcement was made.

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

My first paying job was bailing hay on neighboring farms. I did that for quite a few summers.

What is your favorite book? Why?

George Orwell' s Animal Farm. What did I learn? "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely." - John Dalberg-Acton

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Sublime - Badfish

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

The relationship between the governor should one where they can all work together but still hold each other accountable for their work. These are two uniquely different parts of our state government and they should not be acting as one unit make unilateral decisions for the people of Michigan.

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

Teacher shortages, low wages, shortage of affordable housing all while keeping up with our outdated infrastructure and utilities.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

Not necessarily. It appears to me that what we don't need is more attorneys who continue to make overly complicated legislation that the vast majority of voters cannot read let alone understand.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Yes, I don't have to like other legislators but there has to be mutual respect and a working relationship and decisive politics that demonize one side or the other is destroying those working relationships.

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

At some point I believe it is a possibility.

Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

Yes and they are the reason I'm here.

Should the legislature oversee or grant the use of emergency powers?

The legislature should not interfere with the power of the people to elect their representation.

What is the first bill you would introduce if elected?

With the help of the teachers unions I would submit a bill that would require a minimum pay for teachers based on median income.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

I have previously been endorsed by several unions and progressive organizations as well as numerous county democratic parties and democratic candidates. I am anticipating on having their support again in 2024 after the primary in august.

What committees interest you?

Education, health policy, labor

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

If someone wants to be a public servant then they should not have any ownership of companies or investments that would compromised their abilities to make unbiased decisions.

No one is forcing anyone to run for office. If they are not willing to make those sacrifices then they should stay out of office.

Incomes and employment on every elected official should be public information and every dollar and gift received should be know to voters.

Jared Polonowski did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2022 Candidate Connection survey.