The following is Watershed Voice’s candidate questionnaire for August’s Michigan House of Representatives District 36 Republican primary election. We will run all completed questionnaires in the order they’re received prior to Election Day.
Michael Malmborg filled out our questionnaire. These are his answers.
Editor’s note: The formatting and content of this questionnaire are presented as they were submitted. Michael Malmborg is one of three Republican candidates including incumbent Steve Carra and fellow challenger Frank Perez. In November, the winner of the Republican primary will face Democratic Party candidate Erin Schultes.
Name: Michael Malmborg
Age: 34
Address: PO Box 259 Colon, MI 49040 – (physical – 29963 Findley Rd. Burr Oak, MI
49030)
Party affiliation: Republican
Are you an incumbent? No
Family: Declined to answer this optional question.
Background/Bio:
Graduated from Cadillac High School 2008
Played junior and semi-professional hockey around North America 2008-2010
Graduated from Calvin College in 2014 with a BA in Secondary Education – Social Studies RX and a minor in Economics
MA – Educational Leadership – American College of Education – Nov. 2024
Experience running golf industry businesses as a business manager and general manager. Worked in insurance as well. I also have experience in the agriculture industry, having worked for Michigan Crop and learning the farming trade at my partner’s parents’ agritourism business in Bronson. I have been teaching social studies full-time since 2017. Currently a teacher in Mendon, teaching high school social studies (government, history, economics, personal finance). I am also involved in the Michigan Farm Bureau and coaching youth and high school sports.
Why did you choose to run for the Michigan House of Representatives, District 36?
I chose to run for the Michigan House of Representatives for a couple of reasons.
- I feel that our current representation doesn’t have the interests of our constituents in mind. Many issues need to be addressed in our district and our state that I don’t feel are being properly addressed by our current representative.
- I feel strongly about addressing issues that affect our district the most (agriculture, education, and infrastructure). I feel that I understand these issues the best out of all three Republican candidates and I am the best person to lead the charge in addressing these issues. I also wanted to run because I care about the people in our district. I have put down roots here, establishing a home and having a family that lives and attends school in our district. It’s important to me that we are creating legislation that not only addresses current issues but also sets up future generations for success.
Have you previously held public office, or have you served in a public leadership role? If so, what is your experience, and what are some of your accomplishments?
I was a trustee on the village council for the village of Colon from 2020-2023. I was able to pass the most conservative budget in the last decade, cutting thousands of dollars in spending, saving our tax payers money and building up our GF.
How long have you lived in the area you are seeking to represent?
I have lived in St. Joseph County since 2016.
In your opinion, what are the three most important issues in the area, relative to the scope of your position, and why?
I believe the most important issues are related to agriculture, education, and infrastructure.
- Agriculture – we have to find a way to lower costs for our farmers. Currently, the federal H2A program is a costly burden for our local farms. Farmers not only have to pay migrant workers over $18 per hour but also must provide housing and transportation costs as well. This is a huge financial burden for many farms. We have find a solution for our farmers that creates a reliable workforce that makes sense financially for them. We also need to create rules and regulations for the housing of migrant workers, because there currently aren’t any. This creates many issues for our farmers and is something that needs to be addressed.
- Education – While the intended purpose of the alternate path to education was well-intentioned schools in our area are abusing the rules. There are schools in our district that have people in positions of leadership and working with our highest-needs kids who have zero experience or actual training in education. Our school system is set up to allow the creation of “ghost” administration positions that allow our schools to create positions for people who don’t have the proper qualifications. We need to create laws surrounding education that limit the number of administrative positions and put caps on spending limits for admin costs. We waste millions of dollars on these positions, many of which have little to no impact on the actual education of our students. We also need to address the school funding formula and find a different way to fund our schools. We can look to other states as examples to find alternative ways to fund our schools.
- Infrastructure – We have to address our crumbling infrastructure. This includes the decaying water system in Three Rivers and the aging/failing dams across both counties. There are many unintended consequences for not having addressed these issues. People in Three Rivers and other areas across both counties are being forced to use water that has been poisoned by lead. Flooding occurs because our dams are under great strain and haven’t been properly addressed. We have a lot of work to do to ensure that our infrastructure is properly maintained and good for the future generations.
What measures will you pursue to address those issues?
Answered Above
What would you say is your leadership style, and how will you utilize its strengths in your position?
My leadership style is collaborative, focusing on building consensus and fostering a sense of community among all constituents. I believe in actively listening to diverse perspectives, encouraging open dialogue, and empowering others to contribute their ideas and expertise. This approach allows me to create a more dynamic and responsive environment where everyone feels valued and heard. In my position as a staterepresentative, I will utilize the strengths of my leadership style by engaging the community through being regularly involved in community events, town halls, and forums to ensure that constituents have a direct line of communication with me. This will help me understand their concerns and priorities and ensure that their voices are reflected in the legislative process. A representative needs to be seen and active in the community they represent. By fostering relationships with community members, I will work to build strong coalitions that can effectively address the issues facing our district. Collaboration and mutual respect will be key to finding common ground and developing comprehensive solutions.
I will also work to empower local organizations, businesses, and individuals by providing them with the resources and support they need to succeed, including advocating for policies that promote economic growth, education, and public health. Ensuring my administration operates with the highest levels of transparency and accountability, I will keep constituents informed and involved in decision-making processes to build trust and maintain integrity in my role. Encouraging innovative solutions to the challenges our community faces, I will leverage the creativity and expertise of diverse stakeholders to develop forward-thinking policies that drive progress and improve the quality of life for all residents.
How would you work to regain or maintain the public’s trust in the Michigan House of Representatives?
I would make sure that I would be a representative of all the people in our district. I would focus on making sure people’s concerns are heard and I will do everything in my power to address their concerns. It’s my job as a state representative to take care of the people in my district. Many things make District 36 unique, especially the diverse makeup of the people who live here. I will be involved in the community and make sure that I am involved so that I’m not just some “politician”. I am willing to put in the work to make the lives better for all the people in District 36 and across our state.
Do you consider yourself a candidate with high personal integrity? If so, why?
I consider myself a candidate with high personal integrity. I prioritize honesty and transparency in my interactions, strive to be consistent in my values and actions, and make decisions based on ethical principles. This commitment to integrity helps me build trust and maintain strong, positive relationships in both my personal and professional life. I am a man of my word. If I say I’m going to do something, that’s what I’m going to do. I will never be someone who is going to deflect the truth or give someone a political answer. I want people to be able to confidently know that I am always going to give them the answer they need or find someone who can.
How would your administration as a state representative (or next administration, if you are an incumbent) differ from previous administrations?
As your state representative, I will bring a fresh perspective and a proactive approach to addressing the needs and concerns of our community. While respecting the work done by Representative Carra, I plan to introduce several key changes. First, I will enhance transparency and communication by ensuring more regular and open interactions with constituents through community events, town halls, newsletters, and social media, providing clear updates on legislative progress and opportunities for community input. I will prioritize local issues such as improving infrastructure, supporting small businesses, and enhancing educational opportunities, actively seeking input from community members to understand their priorities instead of focusing on the polarizing issues that plague our country.
I aim to work across party lines to find common ground and develop solutions that benefit our community as a whole, with bipartisan collaboration being a cornerstone of my approach. I will advocate for policies that benefit our farmers, promote sustainable agricultural practices, and ensure that local produce thrives. Simultaneously, I will work to reduce healthcare costs by supporting legislation that makes healthcare more affordable and accessible for all residents.
Education is also crucial. I plan to introduce and support legislation that enhances educational opportunities for all ages, from early childhood education and vocational training. My goal is to eliminate unnecessary administrative costs in education and put our money in the classrooms where it belongs. Lastly, I will focus on economic development by working on policies that attract new businesses, support job creation, and promote economic growth in our district, including investing in workforce development and vocational training programs. By focusing on these key areas, I aim to bring positive change and growth to our community while maintaining a commitment to integrity, transparency, and collaboration.
How will you know that you’re accurately representing your community?
I’ll know that I’m doing my job because the people of the district will let me know if I am not. I will regularly be listening to people’s thoughts and concerns through meetings, community events, surveys and advice from local groups. Being accessible and gathering feedback from constituents and businesses will help ensure that I am being held accountable to the district’s needs and it will help me know I’m making decisions that reflect the community’s needs and wishes.
Is there anything else your prospective constituents should know about you, your platform, your views, or your background?
Prospective constituents should know that I am committed to transparency, integrity, and accountability in my role as their representative. My platform prioritizes issues such as improving infrastructure, supporting local businesses and agriculture, enhancing educational opportunities, and making healthcare more accessible and affordable. I believe in fostering a collaborative approach to governance, working across party lines to find practical solutions that benefit our community as a whole. My background in education, business management, and agriculture, informs my decision-making. I am willing to reach out to those who are experts in different areas to make informed decisions about policy and legislation. I am dedicated to serving our district effectively and responsibly. I am eager to engage with constituents, listen to their concerns, and work tirelessly to address their needs in the legislature.
