Jeff Polonowski

Jeff Polonowski earned a bachelor's degree from Calvin College in 1977. His career experience includes working as a research scientist.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Born in Comstock Park, MI. My father was a union worker and outspoken anti-bureaucrat who grew up Polish Catholic. My Mother was a finlander from the UP and worked hard to raise me and my siblings as well as volunteered her time at the veterans facility. After graduating, I attended Calvin college and worked summers at various places to help afford tuition. I graduated with a BS in chemistry and spent the next 4 years working at Amway. 1981 I took a position at the Perrigo company. For 36 years I worked in R&D of over the counter drugs and managed areas in liquid R&D. around the same time I was appointed to the Otsego planning commission as well as the zoning board of appeals and still serve on them today. After retirement I became an active member of the First Congregational Church of Allegan where I am a Deacon. I volunteer to support the Congregational Kitchen, who provides food and support accross 5 counties. I make the bread run every Tuesday, drop off the backpack lunches at local schools and help prepare the thursday night dinners. I'm a father of two and grandfather of 5, I have been happily married for 45 years. I enjoy working on my vegetable garden, providing fresh produce to our family and church family. I believe that with my extensive experience in local government and regulations, federal laws and regulations as well as managing in the corporate and private sectors, that I am qualified to be your next attorney General for the State of Michigan

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?

Social Justice and non violence: We want to replace the worldwide system of poverty and injustice with a world free of all oppression – whether based on class, wealth, gender, sexual orientation, religion, race, age, citizenship, or ethnicity. We oppose the culture of violence. We promote non-violent resolution of international and domestic conflicts, and work toward lasting community and world peace.Protect the rights of all workers: All workers have the right to strike, and unionize for mutual benefit; the right to fair, livable pay and benefits; safe work- places; fair rules fairly enforced; and more. We support all workers – hourly, salaried, piece, gig, and contract – and corporations should know that abusing workers' rights is the root of the “Great Resignation”. These rights also belong to workers in jobs drawing extra risk of abuse. As we fight the global climate crisis and shift to a sustainable energy economy, we will free the 99% who do the truly dirty work of fossil-fuel jobs, and the communities they want to protect.Add consumer/citizen protections: Make Michigan a “no-recourse” state, so that foreclosing on a family home would settle the whole mortgage debt. Require proof in court before foreclosure, and block home foreclosures and utility shut-offs when unemployment is high. Protect citizens from corporations colluding to force up grocery prices, rents, etc. Inform citizens about all legitimate rights to control overreach by government (such as jury nullification) and by corporations.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Protect the environment: Fight big business's capture of regulatory agencies, empower citizens to defend their communities against pollution and health risks. Protect the rights of ecosystems. Water is a human right and public trust. Stop violations of that right and trust, such as lead poisoning in Flint and Benton Harbor and mass shutoffs in Detroit instead of an affordable water plan. Ban hydraulic fracturing, which pollutes the surface water, aquifers and Great Lakes. Revoke the sulfide-mining for the Eagle mine, which will drain acid into the Yellow Dog Watershed and Lake Superior. Oppose Line 5. Block data centers and other developments approvals over local objections. They should pay as much as residents or more.

A state's attorney general has many responsibilities. Which of those do you personally consider the most important?

Protect the saftey and welfare of the public.

Attorneys general can represent their states in legal conflicts with the federal government. Do you consider this an important part of an attorney general's responsibilities?

Yes

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

Harry S. Truman

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

Honesty, Transparency and Compotence

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

Protect the environment and the people you serve.

What legacy would you like to leave?

Leave it better than I found it.

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

Clark equipment Co. For a few summers.

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

The assasination of John F. Kennedy

The attorney general often sets policy priorities for law enforcement. Are there certain areas of law enforcement that you would emphasize?

Transparency and accountability