Bumstead faces Ritchard in primary for 32nd Senate District.

Bumstead faces Ritchard in primary for 32nd Senate District.

Senator Jon Bumstead (R-Muskegon) faces challenger Charles “Chuck” Ritchard (R-Hart) in the 32nd District of the Michigan Senate during the primary election Tuesday, Aug. 2.

Bumstead currently represents the 34th Senate District. The newly-drawn 32nd District includes the majority of Oceana, Mason and  Muskegon counties, and parts of Manistee and Benzie counties. The Republican winner of the primary election will face Democrat Terry Sabo in the Nov. 8 general election.

OCP sent the two Republican candidates questionnaires, and the following are their answers:

Bumstead

Jon Bumstead, 65, and wife Cindi Bumstead have one daughter Jona.

Current occupation and work history: Currently the State Senator for the 34th State Senate District, representing Muskegon, Newaygo and Oceana counties. Before running for office, I owned Bumstead Construction and built custom homes. 

Political background — boards, councils etc. served: Former State Representative for the 100th House District (2011-2017) and member of the Muskegon River Watershed. 

Community, church and volunteer involvement: Former president of the Safari Club International Michigan Chapter; served as a volunteer fireman for the Newaygo Fire Board; and rotary member and member of several chambers of commerce throughout Muskegon, Newaygo and Oceana counties.

Educational and military background: Newaygo High School and Newaygo Career Tech Education.

What is the single most important issue facing your district and what do you plan to do to address it?

“I believe the most important issue currently facing the district is inflation. The rising cost of living is causing many west Michiganders financial hardships and stress. In order to combat the rising inflation, we need to cut taxes for individuals, families and seniors. This term I have already supported several pieces of legislation that would provide tax cuts to Michiganders and I will continue to fight to get tax relief for the residents of Michigan.”

Charles “Chuck” Ritchard, 68, and wife Marie, who is a nurse practitioner, have been married 42 years, with two children — daughter Erin, a teacher in the dual immersion program at Muskegon Christian School and son Chad, has a dual major in accounting and finance and currently working with a logistics firm in Frankfort, Illinois; and six grandchildren.

Current occupation and work history: retired former vice president in aerospace; former director of quality for several firms; former quality manager and engineer for several firms; former medical tech in Muskegon and in Prince George County, Maryland; worked directly with the Center for Disease Control; and taught microbiology at Andrews Air Force Base.

Ritchard

Community, church and volunteer organization involvement: former soccer coach for 28 years; former soccer referee for 12 years; former referee assignor and former state board and western commissioner for Michigan State Youth Soccer Association.

Political background — boards, councils etc. served: former Muskegon City commissioner, former city council for the City of Norton Shores; former member of the Muskegon GOP; former secretary for 2nd Congressional District; former secretary of the Oceana County GOP; and former chairman of the Oceana County Board of Canvassers; and member with Sydney Powell who took the case to the US Supreme Court known by some as the Kraken.

Education: attended Michigan State University with BAS in occupational safety and health management; Grand Valley State University — master’s degree in management — organizational development; Aquinas College — doctorate in management organizational development; and University of Phoenix — all coursework complete with two and a half chapters of dissertation to go.

Military service: United States Air Force veteran, four years; Andrews AFB, two years; and 81st Tac Fighter Wing, two years; Royal Air Force Base in Bentwaters, England.

What is the single most important issue facing your district and what do you plan to do to address it?

“The single most important thing to bring is the truth. Some, like in the movie, ‘A Few Good Men,’ can’t handle the truth. Whether it is regarding election fraud, a voice for the people, taxes, the recent budget, purchase of private land or diverting $40 million to a bike path in Detroit, this is insanity and my opponent, Bumstead is deflecting on the issues and will not debate. Truth is an essential element to building trust. With trust, we build communities. With communities we build cities, states and a solid nation. It begins with trust, and COVID taught us that our reps and senators can work remotely. Time to bring them home so we can keep an eye on them. We don’t trust government.

Time for gas tax to be used for roads — not for other things. A sort of lottery magic act once again. It is time for our guys to quit pooh poohing the election fraud — 2,000 mules showed us enough proof.

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