Candidate Questionnaire: Erin Schultes for Michigan House of Representatives, District 36

The following is Watershed Voice’s candidate questionnaire for November’s Michigan House of Representatives, District 36, election. We will run all completed questionnaires from candidates in contested general election races in the order they’re received prior to Election Day.

Erin Schultes filled out our questionnaire. These are their answers. Schultes, a Democrat challenger, faces Republican incumbent Steve Carra.

Name: Erin Schultes

Age: 41

Address: 320 6th Ave Three Rivers, Mi

Party affiliation: Democrat 

Are you an incumbent? No  

Family (optional): My husband and I have been together since high school. We have 2 children, they are 3 and 7. We also have 2 cats (Thurman Murman and Pancake Steve), and 2 dogs (Tater Tot and Daisy Mae)

Background/Bio:  

I am a Chef and Professional Baker by trade. I am Pagan, Autistic, a mixed media artist, and an avid crafter. I come from a military family on all sides and a farm family on my mom’s side. I have had an interest in politics since I was in middle school. I was previously Vice-Chair of the St Joe Democratic Party and ran for county commissioner 2 years ago and did fairly well for my first time running for public office. I have lived in SW Michigan my entire adult life.

Why did you choose to run for the Michigan House of Representatives, District 36?

Our district deserves better. Our current representative refuses to work across the table. He is so anti-Democrat that it’s detrimental to the citizens of the district. I don’t care if you’re blue, red, green, yellow, etc. I will always do what is in the best interests of our citizens. All of them. I will make sure our most vulnerable are taken care of.

Have you previously held public office, or served in a public leadership role? If so, what is your experience, and what are some of your accomplishments? 

I was the vice-chair of the St Joe Co Democratic party for 2 years. I am also the Vice-Chair and Vice-President of HOPE. We are a 501c(3) non-profit homeless outreach program that helps those down on their luck get back on their feet.

I am the former Vice-Chair of Three Rivers PRIDE. I do plan to rejoin the board for TRP in the future. We have had 2 well-attended festivals and multiple sold-out drag shows.

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

We bought our house in Oct 2019.  

In your opinion, what are the three most important issues for District 36 and its constituents, and why?

Clean water: I think this one is pretty straightforward. As humans, if we don’t have access to clean drinking water we simply can’t exist. We are surrounded by water here but can’t drink it.

Homelessness/under-housed/rent prices: We live in Michigan, it gets bitter cold here and it’s simply not an environment meant for outdoor living. The price of rent currently is making it impossible for people to stay fed, warm, and housed. The housing market has been annihilated by corporations buying houses to use as Airbnb. We must put policies in place to limit at a minimum the amount of houses a corporation can purchase. My mom’s rent has doubled in 5 years. Zero upgrades have been done to the buildings or property to warrant it. That is not acceptable.

Corporate price gouging: If we don’t put a stop to it now we will have a massive economic collapse in this country the likes the world has never seen before. It will quickly come to a point where no one can afford to eat if we don’t do something now. Wages have to go up DRASTICALLY or prices on everything have to come way down. It’s cheaper to buy free-range, cage-free, running around eating bugs eggs from local families than it is to get subpar eggs from the grocery store. Quite frankly they do it because we can and up to this point we have done little to nothing to stop them.

What measures will you pursue to address those issues? 

Please see above below.

This most recent session of the Michigan Legislature included a Democratic majority by two members, as well as five months where the Democrats and Republicans were tied. How will you respond to potentially narrow party leadership?

This isn’t about party for me, it’s about people. It’s about making Michigan a better place for all Michiganders. A good idea is a good idea regardless of which side it comes from. I won’t vote no just because a policy comes from the other side.

How will you work with your fellow state representatives, the Michigan Senate, and the governor if elected?

By reaching across the table with open hands, an open heart, and open ears.

How would your term in office differ from previous state representative terms, including your own if applicable? 

I will make sure things like the lead pipes in Three Rivers get replaced now and not in 10 years. I will work with the state and federal government to make sure this happens. I will not allow Three Rivers to become the next Flint. I would sponsor or support bills to restrict landlords from being able to raise rent all willy-nilly because they felt like it.

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

I am vehemently pro-choice. That does not mean I am pro-abortion. I just understand that medical decisions should be between someone and their doctors.

I am a dual cardholder (haha) of the LGBTQIA+ community. I am non-binary and pan. My pronouns are she/they. I don’t care what pronouns you use with me as long as you are respectful.

My children are both Autistic with ADHD and sensory processing disorder. The youngest is non-verbal. She has a few words but no consistent functional language. My oldest was non-verbal until just after she turned 4. I have been told I have the patience of a Saint. I am just trying to be the person I needed growing up. This means I have been not just their mom but their voice and advocate their whole lives. I would love to be your advocate at the State House.

I am 100% for Medicaid for all. At a minimum, I would like to see a major expansion of the Healthy Michigan program. No one should be without necessary medical treatments or necessary medications because of an inability to pay for it. No one should lose everything because they get sick. If you prefer your private health insurance and don’t want Medicaid even if you qualify that’s fine too.

I will fight for Michigan and I will fight for you!

I am endorsed by UAW Local 2093, IBEW 131, AFL-CIO, and Planned Parenthood.

If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to me at info@erinschultes.com or send me a message on Facebook. I am pretty much an open book.