Tom Kunse

Tom Kunse was born in Pontiac, Michigan. He earned a high school diploma from Clare High School, a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Michigan Technological University in 1994, and a master's degree in nuclear physics from Central Michigan University in 2012. His career experience includes working as a truck driver and owning Northern Dry Bulk. Kunse has also served on the Grant Township Board.[1][2][3]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Small business owners like me understand a simple truth: government is here to serve the people - and our government should be small, local and transparent.

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 need better transparency from our government officials and the legislative process.

I authored the legislation that added disclosure to Legislative Directed Spending requests.We must lower the tax burden (income tax and property tax) to make Michigan more affordable. This will require us to shrink the government.3) Photo ID to vote

4) No Gender change on Minors

5) Lower energy costs by repealing the green energy mandates. PA 233

6) No Boys in girls’ sports (play what your birth certificate says)

7) Close the border, no sanctuary cities

8) Build the Line #5 tunnel

9) No National Popular Vote

10) Gov’t should not spend taxpayer money to pick winners and losers

11) Gov’t should not control healthcare (no single payer)

12) Term limits for all elected officials

13) Expand Money out of politics to include ANY organization that does business with any governmental entity

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I was the lead legislator on Road Funding and Transparency initiative.

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

Candor - it is better to tell the truth even though some people will disagree with you.

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

Shrink government

What legacy would you like to leave?

When I leave, if people say "He was honorable" that would be enough.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Fraternal Order of Police

Michigan Chamber of Commerce

Right to Life of Michigan

Michigan Freedom Network

Michigan Timberman Assn (Legislator of the Year)

Michigan Pharmacy Assn (Legislator of the Year)

Detroit Regional Chamber

Michigan Assn of Secondary School Principals (Legislator of the Year)

Michigan Assn of Fairs and Exhibitions (Legislator of the Year)

Senator Roger Hauck

Congressman John Moolenaar

Citizens for Traditional Values

Small Business Assn of Michigan

Michigan Corn Growers Assn

Michigan Farm Bureau AgriPac

National Federation of Independent Businesses NFIB

Chris Zinser, Master Plumber

Michigan Credit Union League

Associated Builders and Contractors

County Road Assn

Michigan Realtors

Michigan Professional Fire Fighters

More

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

Married 24 years, father of two wonderful children.

Small business owner for 29 years

Dedicated to small, local government

Conservative

Pro Life

Pro 2nd Amendment and a Lifetime member of the Clare Rod & Gun Club

Jobs come from entrepreneurs, not from the Government.

People should be able to make their own life decisions without cumbersome governmental intervention.

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?

Education is the key to changing the world. We need more skilled trades training in our high schools.Small Local governement is what is most responsive and best for our society.Mask mandates and shutting businesses down were imoral and unlawful.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Education: If you want to change the world, it will start with education.

Governmental overreach: Government is usually the source of the problem and rarely the solution. Our society would be better off with less governmental burden.

Energy independence: we should do whatever we can to be self sufficient with our energy needs.

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

I admire those quiet leaders that are examples of their beliefs. I am not impressed with the loud "look at me" type people. They are more for show. I admire the leaders who do not seek recognition - they just want to get the job done.

Ronald Regan did a great job communicating with the American people. I'd love to be able to relate to people as well as he did.

George Washington - what I admire most about him is not his leadership during a very difficult time, but the fact that he turned down the opportunity to run for another term. He declined becuase he knew our country should not have power concentrated in one person / office. I wish all our leaders were so selfless.

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

I enjoy listening to Jordan Peterson and Ben Shapiro.

Reading:

Atlas Shrugged

Anything by De Tocqueville

The Road to Serfdom, FA Hayek

Free to Choose, Milton and Rose Friedman

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

Honesty. It all starts with being honest. Even if you disagree with a person, you have to be honest.

Hard working - they cannot take their responsibility lightly.

Open minded - you cannot possibly know everything. Be willing to listen to others before making a decision.

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

Fiscal responsibility. We are spending other people's money and have to be very frugal with it.

Remember that we work for the people. Don't run for office if you are looking for a position to display your authority.

Effort - it is guaranteed that there will be issues and events you disagree with. That setback cannot stop you from continuing to work towards your goals. Be relentless in your effort.

What legacy would you like to leave?

When I leave office, I would like people to remember my honesty.

Even when we disagree, I want to be professional. It is never the wrong time to be kind.

I would love for people to understand that I did my best and when I made a mistake, I owned it.

The best I could hope for is that when I leave, even my opponents remember me as honorable.

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

I remember President Regan getting shot and of course the Miracle on Ice (1980 Olympics) - I was 10 and remember watching the game. It still gives me goosebumps.

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

When I was 15 I started working for a company that put on Demolition Derbies - mainly at County fairs all over the midwest. I worked there three summers. It was a great way to see the local areas and I loved the traveling. Everyday was different and I got to work with all kinds of people. It was very interesting.

What is your favorite book? Why?

The Book of Virtues

William J Bennett

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

Superman.

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

Love Song by Tesla

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

I need to have more patience.

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

Open communication.

We can disagree without being disagreeable. It is not productive to call each other names.

Be professional.

Be able to listen as well as speak.

Personal attacks are unproductive.

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

The mass exodus. We need to show our younger generations that this is a great State to raise a family. We need to help them with having a productive life.

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

The pendulum should be dampered. We should not swing wildly from one end of the spectrum to the other, depending on who controls the only body of legislature.

Unicameral is a way to get things done quickly, but I fear that it would overreact in certain situations. I think it is not a desirable format for our government.

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

Possibly a local board, so they are at least familiar with basic meeting procedures. FOIA, Open meetings act, etc.

Otherwise, honest hard working people will be fine without that experience.

I think it is more important for people to have small business experience.

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

Yes, of course. Even if we disagree, it is best if we understand how people like to communicate. I find that if you know people, they are more open to share their input.

What process do you favor for redistricting?

I like have public input - having citizens on the committee, but they needed help with the process. This was the first time for Michigan and it was a mess.

If the Citizens committee cannot get it done by a specific deadline (no exceptions) then the Legislature should take it over.

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

Education - if we are going to change the world, it starts with education.

Transportation - I've been in Logistics for nearly 30 years and can help with real world experience.

Finance - we need more fiscal responsibility in government.

If you are a current legislator, what appealed to you about your current committees?

I am not currently a legislator.

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

Ronald Regan can communicate amazingly well.

George Washington was able to eschew power and leave it with the people.

Lincoln was amazing under pressure. His speeches are enjoyable to read even today.

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

Not at this time. I am focused on State Representative.

Tell us your favorite joke.

How can you tell when a cow is laughing?

Milk comes out it's nose.

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

Yes. Without a doubt.

I can see a very brief window (possibly 5 days) where the Governor can declare a state of emergency for a specific reason. After that, the Legislators should be back in session to oversee the situation.

That power should not be held by one person / office.

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

There are absoultes - certain things that people hold dearly that should not be compromised under any circumstances.

We should not be above learning about a situation - and it is a good thing when we process new information and our position evolves.

Basically, we can work together on issues, but at the end of the day, we have to stand fast on issues that are paramount to ourselves.