Candidate questionnaire: Mike Jones

The following is Watershed Voice‘s candidate questionnaire for the August 2026 primary elections. We will be running all remaining candidate questionnaires in the order received today, Thursday, July 30.

Mike Jones, Michigan Senate District 17 Democratic primary candidate filled out our questionnaire, below are his answers as submitted.

Name: Mike D. Jones  
Age: 64
Are you an incumbent? No  
Family (optional): Single. Late wife Barbara. 2 adult daughters

Background/bio

Im originally from niles michigan , where my family has lived since before , michigan was a state. I also lived in california ohio and nebraska. I am a partially retired union drywall finisher. When I was in california , I was a weapons wrangler for many hollywood production companies worked on many movies, provided original old west,  wwI and WwII military uniforms of the era. I was also in a successful rock group and had several songs at radio and several songs in movies.

Why are you running for the office of Michigan State Senate?

To do my service to my state and country and make things better for my fellow michiganders.

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 republican , most of my life and decided to leave the party or should I say they left me in 2000.  My experience in politics is running a northern california campaign for a republican candidate and also was a delegate to the convention in 1996. I have not been a candidate before, but i’ve grasped the learning curve and think I would be an excellent choice to go up against jonathan lindsey , provided I win my primary on august 4th

If not, describe any experience — professional, volunteer, or otherwise — that you believe is relevant to serving as Michigan State Senator.

The candidate did not answer this question.

How long have you lived in the area you are seeking to represent?

Back in Niles since 2011

In your opinion, what are the three most important issues to the area relative to the scope of the position you are seeking, and why?

 1. VOTING RIGHTS

I am for banning federal agents at polling places and calling out the national guard if needed to prevent them from intimidating voters as they go into the booth. If you’re a citizen , you have a right to vote. Both sides of my family fought at bunker.Hill, I’m a son of the DAR aka (daughters of the american revolution) and I’ll be damned if i’m gonna let some bankrupter of casinos destroy our democracy. 

2. HEALTH CARE. I am for a state funded baseline medicaid for all michigan citizens, 

3. AFFORDABILITY/ JOBS.

I propose a reinvigorsted jobs training program for all kids and adults, 16 to 24, not just for at risk youth. Michigan Job Corps. 

How would you ensure better protection and service for the most vulnerable and underserved populations in District 17?

retaining the 32 billion we send to the feds to fund state funded job training, snap benefits, school lunches.

How would you promote transparency and maintain public trust in state government?

Public available audits  through FOIA or a state mandated transparency act.

What values or guiding principles shape your approach to public service?

All american citizens have the right to vote

As representatives of the people, We serve the people, they dont serve us.

Is there anything else your prospective constituents should know about you, your platform, your views, or your background?

My belief is that change happens in the middle. Both the extreme right and the extreme left have forgotten that lesson. It’s time for the adults to come back in the room and get things done. If Reagan and O’neal can meet in the middle , so can we. I want to be clear. There is no compromise on freedom of the press , freedom of speech or voting rights. These are the foundations of our democracy.  I will be happy to meet anybody in the middle because I don’t care who’s wrong or right. I care what’s wrong or right. But i want to give a fair warning to the republicans. I’m happy to reach cross the aisle but nobody gets everything they want something that’s how democracy works. So if you don’t come back to the middle,  we will run you over in the midterms. Thats a promise.

I am endorsed by the Michigan Association for Justice. And to all the Republicans out there, I am a pro Second Ammendment Democrat.