N. Jefferey Sparling

N. Jefferey Sparling graduated from Sterling Heights High School. He earned an associate degree from Macomb Community College in 1982, a bachelor's degree from Oakland University in 1984, and a graduate degree from Central Michigan University in 1994. He also attended the Detroit College of Law. Sparling's career experience includes working as an educator, entrepreneur, cashier, fast food worker, and insurance adjuster.[1][2][3] He has been affiliated with the following organizations:

MCSS-Michigan Council for Social Studies

Green Party of Michigan

Friendship House, Hamtramck

Genesis the Church

Campaigns of Green Party candidates

Michigan Social Studies Teachers Association

ISTE (computer teachers)[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Both corporate parties have let us down, time for a Green new start!

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?

I take no PAC money, strictly grass roots, so I am beholden to my constituents only.The Green Party is more than the environment; it is here for all of us.Time to change the game, elect Greens to be what democracy was meant to be!

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Climate, clean energy, social rights for all.

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

People who dare to speak truth to power.

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

Honesty, ethics.

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

To serve the people of the district faithfully. Not placing personal interest above duty to constituents.

What legacy would you like to leave?

A place my grandkids would enjoy.

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

Babysitting- still do for grandkids. A taxed job would have been a pizza maker, which I did throughout high school and before college.

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

Weight loss. I understand the struggles people go through with this issue.

What responsibilities of this office do you personally consider the most important?

Being ethical and dedicated to doing the best job for the constituents.

Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of?

One representative can make a difference. One bill can change a life, together we can accomplish much!

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Green Party of Michigan

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

1968 democratic convention demonstrations in Chicago.

Note: Sparling submitted the above survey responses to [the profile publisher] on May 20, 2026.

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February 21 submission

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a grassroots candidate for the office of Michigan State House District 14. I am a PhD candidate (Walden University) and hold a professional teaching certificate for the State of Michigan in social studies and economics. My full-time teaching career has ended with experience in public, charter, and private schools. I am a grandfather of three and working to make things better for my grandkids and children for the future of all people who want to work, live, breathe clean air, and drink clean water.

I adhere to the tenets of the Green Party of Michigan, which include environmental activism, universal healthcare, individual rights (abortion, LGBTQ), reforming agriculture for long-term practice, pro-peace, local-oriented government, social justice, and non-violence.

I respect diverse viewpoints, take responsibility for my actions, and support people over corporations. Profit should not override the people's needs for resources and access. Education should be inclusive, open and public, but where private schools exist, they should not receive public funding and be able to show their students are meeting the same broad goals that public school students are expected to achieve.

I am vehemently opposed to subsidizing fossil fuels, the continuation of operations in Line #5 w/or without a tunnel, and they should clean up their messes.

The basis of my expectations for all public officials, both elected and not, is to be transparent and to act with integrity.

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?

Clean air, water and opportunity.People over profit.Environmental and ecological responsibility.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

The environment and ecological wisdom based on science.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

The Michigan Green Party

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I have worked as a teacher in several settings, public, parochial and charter schools in the K-12 system. I have seen and experienced the differences between the types of school overseen by the State Board of Education, and feel confident my experience will benefit students and taxpayers for the state.

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?

I am a teacher at heart and practice.Equity demands more than equal dollar amounts for students to succeed, demands access and opportunity.It is time for a Green change to be added to the mix!

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Equity in opportunity for all students.

What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the state government and legal system?

The board sets the direction for all schools that fall under its jurisdiction. Public funds should be treated as a sacred trust, not a cash cow for the greedy.

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

I look up to many, both in personal experience and through learning of their past contributions. The lives of Gandhi, King and Jesus are a major influence. My pastors and friends have also helped me through the years.

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

Integrity is the basis for trust, without it there is no trust.

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

Real experience in the classroom and an understanding of where we should be going so the schools are not catching up, but leading change agents for all.

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

To advocate for the best outcomes for our public K-12 system in Michigan.

What legacy would you like to leave?

A better educated population who can pursue their own dreams and not the economical or social dictates of others.

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

RFK assassination. 3rd grade playground politics changed with that event.

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

In reality, babysitting. $0.10 for my first paid job watching the children of a neighbour. My first taxable job was as a pizza maker when double digit gross pay was meaningful.

What is your favorite book? Why?

The one I am reading at the moment. If not, I would be reading it!

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

A command officer in an interstellar ship! See and learn new things!

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

Just about anything from the Beatles or Eagles...

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

Being someone in the front of the classroom, or crowd, rather than behinds the scenes worker.

What responsibilities of this office do you personally consider the most important?

The governance of practical and equitable guidance for our schools and preparing students to succeed.

Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of?

The systemic stripping of authority for those whose expertise is education to those who control the purse strings. Policy should emanate from the Board not the legislature.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics?

No, helpful for dealing with the bureaucracy but so long as the goal is the preparation of students for tomorrow's economy.

What kind of skills or expertise do you believe would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess?

An understanding of the real classroom of today. Practical experience that helps form policy and decision in the students' best interest.

Tell us your favorite joke.

Dad jokes are part of the repertoire and any knock knock jokes my grandsons bring to me.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Green Party of Michigan.

What are your views on financial transparency and government accountability?

It is critical for the public to have access to and an understanding of government operations to ensure the consent of the governed is being met through all expectations.

Do you support or oppose changes to the current state ballot initiative process? If so, what kind of changes would you consider?

I do not oppose, but advise to use sparingly and let the ballot box be the true arbiter.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

The power of politics rests with the people. The people need to take that power back from the two corporately dominated parties. Bring the needs of the people back to government and save our planet!

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?

Voting green is a viable alternative to the two party dominance. We change things one vote at a time.Preserve rights and access to health care and public goods at affordable and sustainable costs.Climate issues are impacting all aspects of our life, time to DO something about it!

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Infrastructure and the environmental impact of said infrastructure. Future needs and science need to be driving factors for redevelopment and planning over corporate greed and political favours.

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

I look up to leaders who followed peace and confronted the tyranny they faced in their lifetimes. Ghandi, Mandella, King, Jesus of Nazareth to name a few. They all had a plan and remained true to their convictions even facing imprisonment and/or death.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

Servant of the People is a show were are watching now. Though a comedic parody, we see many of the qualities exemplified in the reality of President Zelenskyy is living out his integrity and philosophy in the Ukraine despite the war imposed on it by Russia.

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

Honesty and integrity are the ones that come to mind initially. Perseverance follows closely as the results may be long in process but important nonetheless.

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

I will listen and learn from my constituents. I will legislate honestly on their behalf and be true to my states convictions going into office.

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

As noted above, honesty is important. Faithfulness to the vision you presented to the electorate is also a key factor. We have to do as we say to earn the trust of the people and follow through with the policies that will benefit all in the district and beyond.

What legacy would you like to leave?

A better earth for my children and grandchildren.

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

It is hard to sort out what experiences I was truly cognizant of at the time. In hindsight, and after some study, it is easy to identify events of significance. I would say the event most aware of at the time was the second moon landing in 1969. We watched it with awe in the classroom and had many opportunities to discuss it in my 4th-grade class with Ms. Herman and Mr. Cavenaugh. I would have been 9. I must also say I remember the shift to Nixon after the demise of RFK but not due to the assassination but more to the change in groupings on the the playground. That would have been in 3rd grade in Mrs. Kirkhoff's room.

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

Babysitting siblings, neighbour's children. First paid position with taxes taken out: Dino's pizza prep/pizza maker. Did that job for a few years through high school and into college. Eventually became the manager of the store I was first hired into.

What is your favorite book? Why?

The Hobbit & Lord of the Rings Trilogy. The struggle and acceptance of the responsibility of being a ringholder.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Some sort of space explorer. They seem to have the greatest appreciation for the earth when they see what else is out there in the universe.

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

What a Wonderful World (Louis Armstrong version) followed closely by the Ma Nama Na song (the Muppets).

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

Gaining the confidence to let my voice be heard. I have supported and worked for many causes and people. Being the spokesperson of those ideas is hard, but I feel I am ready for it!

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

Building a relationship of respect and cooperation to get the policies in place for the benefit of the state. The legislature and Governor serve the people as two cogs that need to mesh to get ahead for Michigan. One stops, the other cannot function, ie. both branches have to seek to be a team to move forward.

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

Infrastructure, education, and environment. These three elements are key to success and growth for the state and our future. The infrastructure is the base of our lives. Without water or power or roads, we all lose. Education will help us find the solutions with research and science to find new answers to our issues. Cleaning the environment means we will be able to exist in the future and appreciate what out infrastructure and education can do for our well-being.

What are the benefits and drawbacks of a unicameral state legislature, in your opinion?

The benefits are less delay in getting laws and policies in place, and only one legislative level to satisfy. The drawback here is that there are fewer opportunities for discussion and debate to formulate the policies and laws that affect us all. Concentration on a unicameral system might make it easier for the lobbyists to wield power and influence in the legislative process.

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

There are benefits to having experience. One knows about potential issues and relationships have already started to form. Experience is a teacher but the lessons still have to be learned and relearned as the mix of people changes over time. That being said, I think there are experiences outside of government and politics that make for good legislators. Diverse backgrounds in occupations, life experiences, and education make for a well-balanced mix filled with potential as well.

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

Yes. Nothing is accomplished in a vacuum. We need to build relationships with each other so that debate and decisions are made in a civil and socially beneficial manner. Having a relationship helps people understand each other, though they may not agree (they can agree to disagree...). These relationships, when honest, are a pathway to solutions for the social issues being resolved.

What process do you favor for redistricting?

Though this is moot for another decade, it should be as blind a process as possible. No interference from political influence and free to create a truly representative selection of legislators.

If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

Yes. DNR and environmental committees for sure. Education and Ways and Means would also be of interest.

Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

Zolton Ferency is the first one to come to mind for Michigan. His perseverance and tenacity are inspirational. His liberal leanings also appeal to my sense of political identity.

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

No. At my age, I would like to make my commitment to this office and the future will be there for me and my grandchildren.

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?

I hear the apathy and frustration of the electorate. The political party system favours corporate ideals and forgets the people who give the system the power. I will listen, learn from, and legislate my constituents.

Tell us your favorite joke.

Whatever the one is my grandson is telling me at the time. We are on knock-knock jokes of late.

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

The powers are granted through the Constitution and other laws. The legislature, by nature, cannot act swiftly but can be an effective oversight process for gubernatorial use of those powers. Sometimes decisions for the safety of the people have to be made, a single person in the governor is where that power should rest. Abuse should be guarded against by the legislature as well as looking to help create policies and procedures to make future responses better each time a situation arises.

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

Absolutely. No one solution can make it through the process but the key is to find common ground to act for the constituents and society. Guard against succumbing to temptation for self-gratification and power.