Richard Abraham

Richard Abraham's career experience includes working in manufacturing.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I’m a regular guy who’s spent the last 21 years working on the factory floor. My wife and I have been married for 21 years and raised two great kids here in West Michigan. A 20 year old son and 18 year old daughter.

I’m running to be a real candidate for working people. After more than two decades on the shop floor, I know firsthand the everyday challenges our families face. I’m not a career politician, I’m one of you, and I’m ready to stand up for our jobs, our community, and our working families.

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?

1. Expanding FOIA & ending government secrecy. Michigan is one of only two states in the nation where the governor's office and state legislature are exempt from Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests. I will fight to expand FOIA coverage so working families can see exactly how their tax dollars are spent and hold state officials accountable.2. Restoring accountability & ending committee roadblocks. Too many good proposals die in committee because a single committee chair or legislative leader refuses to bring them to the floor. Every elected representative was sent to Lansing to vote on behalf of their community. I will push to reform state house rules so that important legislation gets a fair, open vote on the floor instead of being buried behind closed doors.3. Protecting local control and repealing PA 233. Decisions about land use, zoning, and large scale energy projects belong to the local communities that actually live with the results, not unelected state bureaucrats in Lansing. I strongly oppose PA 233 because stripping local control weakens our townships, ignores community input, and leaves local residents without a say in their own neighborhoods.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

As a 21 year factory worker, I am most passionate about government transparency, legislative accountability, and local control. Michigan state government needs to work for the people, which means expanding FOIA laws to cover the Governor and legislature, reforming house rules so bills get fair votes on the floor instead of dying in committee, and protecting local township zoning authority from state overreach like PA 233. Above all, I am passionate about bringing a working class voice to state policy to protect local jobs and keep our communities strong.