Candidate Profile: Emily Bauman, MI Senate; Plymouth-Canton Area

PLYMOUTH-CANTON, MI — Republican Emily Bauman is running for election to the Michigan State Senate to represent District 5, which includes portions of the Canton and Westland areas. She will face Jody Rice-White and Leonard Scott Jr. in the Republican primary on Aug. 2.

Here's how Bauman filled out her candidate profile:

Name

Emily Bauman

Campaign website

https://www.emilybauman.com/

City or town of residence

Westland

Office sought

Michigan State Senate

District, if applicable

5th State Senate District

Party affiliation

Republican

Education

I am an alumni of Cazenovia College, majoring in Fashion Design & Art and Lansing Community College, majoring in Legal Assisting. Additionally, I am a perpetual learner, having earned credits in Dale Carnegie Human Relations program and certificates in Business Valuebuilder and Life Coaching. My reading list is wide and long. My husband, Bill, and I have been married for 25 years and have 3 children. I currently own and operate a leadership and personal development company and previously owned landscape design & build firm with my husband. Previous to that, I worked for a global telecommunications company for 12 years, being responsible for the 2 highest revenue producing customers in the carrier sales department. Currently, I own and operate a leadership and personal development company and previously owned a landscape design & build firm with her husband. I have been actively involved in Michigan politics since 2020, as a Co-Campaign Manager for a Congressional campaign, Precinct Delegate and State Committeewoman. In addition to family and work, I am on the Board of Directors of the Livonia Symphony Orchestra and volunteer my time with many civic, arts, and family-based organizations. I attend Peace Lutheran Church and have been active with my church family in both women's leadership and community outreach. I take an active role with my children’s school as a substitute teacher and debate club instructor & coach.

Occupation

I am a leadership, personal development and business coach. I have been in this industry for nine years

Family

My husband Bill and I will celebrate 26 years in October of this year. We have three children, 21, 13, & 11.

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

My brother is a police officer in Texas

Age

Previous public office, appointive or elective

I am currently an elected Precinct Delegate. I have also worked on 3 campaigns for elected office--a congressional campaign and my own.

Why are you seeking this office?

I am seeking this office because I am concerned with the lack of representation of a huge portion in this district. I have heard too many indicate they cannot even get an audience with their reps and even when they do, they do not feel that their concerns are even heard, much less considered. I have been a part of leadership in several organizations where we bring people together who do not agree but we can solve problems whereby one group does not feel slighted by another. As I have done in my past, non-public experiences, I will work so that the freedoms in our state and federal constitutions are truly preserved, including that of parents. I will work for the prosperity of all the people of Michigan.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

It has been an interesting campaign season as in many races, we have the opportunity to choose between some really good candidates. The major differences between the other candidates and me is my ability to listen and ask questions of the residents of the district. Everyone has strong convictions, but the ability to really listen, acknowledge and desire to understand in a way that allows for solutions to benefit all is not easy and one that I have worked on for much of my life. Additionally, the ability to discern between the symptoms and what the real problem is a critical step to ensuring the right solutions are brought forward. I have also been working in the areas of building & developing businesses and providing for personal freedoms long before this campaign. The promises I have made are ones I have already kept in my previous experiences. As I have told the people I speak with, I am one of about 270,000 in this district. I understand how to balance that. While not all solutions will be perfect, it is possible for them not to hurt or infringe on another's rights and I have the ability to bridge diverse groups. An elected office is a privilege and with my business experience, I understand having much and having little. I understand what it takes to raise a family and make the sacrifices needed for others before myself.

If you are challenging an incumbent, in what way has the current officeholder failed the community?

In the primary election, I am not challenging an incumbent. The incumbent also has a primary.

Do you think the federal government can or should do more to curb inflation, which has led to an increase in prices for food, gas and other goods?

While I do think the federal government can do more to curb inflation, I also believe Michigan can too. We are a sovereign state and need to do what is necessary to take care of our own residents without waiting for the federal government to act.

Do you support changing the state’s constitution to ensure that women have to right to get an abortion?

I support that this issue has gone back to the states to decide. Now that it is possibly on the ballot in November, I also support that the electors of Michigan get to vote on it, per the Constitution. I will only be one vote. While my personal view is that life begins at conception, at this time, this issue is not before the legislature--as I have said before, as a representative, my job is not to bend everything to my personal view or force my views on others, as I am only 1 of 270,000. I will serve, always remembering that, always being willing to listen and understand.

Do you support the Raise the Wage ballot initiative, which would increase the minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2027 and provide cost-of-living increases in later years?

We need to focus on workforce development, helping people to start a business and for businesses to create jobs while ensuring workers have the skills & education to perform them. We also need to be sure businesses are thriving in order to provide wages that enable all their workers to thrive. On the flip side, we must be sure the economy is in check so people can afford the things they need to live. Simply raising a wage or raising income without the balance of the costs/expenses will not help.

Would you support an election initiative to require another audit of the 2020 presidential election, to transfer authority over the audit from the Secretary of State to a newly created auditing panel, and to change how elections are reviewed in the future?

Elections are a matter of state and national security so we should not take that lightly and be so quick to 'move along'. We must do everything we can to ensure each and every election is secure & accurate. One secured election does not mean the next one is. Our founding fathers knew fraud in elections could destroy what they had fought so hard for. After every election there should be an audit--the count must match forwards and backwards. Plus, when there are problems (whether widespread or not), we must be sure not to repeat them.

What other issues do you intend to address during your campaign?

My main focuses are on families (parents and individuals), freedom (health, parental), & prosperity (workforce, business & government spending). I will do everything I can to be sure people area safe and can pursue enjoyment in their life with their liberties in tact. I have been building bridges with individuals and businesses for many years. I believe it is possible to for diverse groups to live, work & play, if we get back to a smaller government. I will also continue to teach citizens their role in government, so we are a government of the people, by the people and for the people. As the Michigan constitution says, 'all political power is inherent in the people. Government is instituted for their equal benefit, security & protection.'

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

My accomplishments in my life and business have been in dealing with many difficult situations, be they leading discussions between union and non-union workers and leaders, nonprofit boards, business partners at odds with each other or any host of negotiations involving crucial and critical conversations--and bringing these to respectful, positive and productive ends. I have been an advocate for many where they thought all was lost, but when I walked beside them, we found ways to bring back hope and achieve great things. I believe in people, I believe in the individual--I believe with the right tools and freedom, people can be equipped to thrive. Government does not and cannot be allowed to run or rule our lives--it must be there for security and protection, but allow the people to live. I will work to maintain that.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

To work with the dedication and perseverance like you have nothing, live in a way that you balance today and tomorrow, remember your past does not determine your future, and trust God's plan for my life, even if it seems to conflict with my own plan.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I believe one's character speaks volumes to how they will act and serve in any capacity. I have spent years being the person my friends, co-workers and family could count on to say what needs to be said and do what needs to be done, not just what people 'wanted to hear' or see. We all might not agree and it certainly wasn't always easy. I am trusted that if I say I will do something, I will see it to the end. I am not only trusted, I understand what it means to be trustworthy and to tell the truth. These are guiding principles I apply to everything I do. We may not always agree, however I will be available, transparent and accountable to everyone I serve, no matter what. I will be open to listening to you, before, during and after any proposal, bill, legislation, or vote I do.