In the 42nd State House district, incumbent Republican Matt Hall of Kalamazoo and Austin Marsman of Plainwell are competing. The 42nd district includes all or parts of 12 townships in Kalamazoo and Allegan counties, including Prairie Ronde, Schoolcraft, Brady and Pavilion.
In the 45th State House district, Republican incumbent Sarah Lightner of Springport and Democrat Doug Murch of Marshall are competing. The district includes parts of Jackson, Calhoun counties and townships of Wakeshma, Climax and Charleston in Kalamazoo County.
Election to the two-year terms pays $71,685 annually.
42nd House district
Matt Hall
Over the past five years, I have had the pleasure of serving the South County area as your state representative. As your representative, I have been fighting back every day against the radical Biden/Whitmer agenda of higher taxes, open borders, and destructive anti-law enforcement policies. I have a proven track record of supporting law enforcement, cutting taxes, reducing wasteful government spending, protecting our constitutional rights, and empowering parents in their child’s education. My record: 1) Sponsored legislation to ban sanctuary counties and cities in Michigan. 2) Sponsored legislation to ban corporations with ties to the Chinese Communist Party from buying Michigan farmland. 3) Voted to strengthen election integrity by requiring ID to vote, cleaning up the voter rolls, and strengthening signature verification. 4) Voted to ban critical race theory, which breeds hatred and division in our schools and to require children to compete in school sports based on their biological sex. 5) Voted AGAINST legislation that will ban fossil fuels by 2040, which will create an unreliable grid and double your electric bill. 6) Voted AGAINST legislation that takes away your local townships input on wind/solar projects. As your state representative I will continue to fight for the people of South County!
Austin Marsman
As a lifelong resident of West Michigan, it’s clear to me that we deserve better representation here in the 42nd House District. Bipartisanship needs to return to our state capitol, and I am committed to working with anyone serious about solving the issues that affect us all. The current officeholder’s pattern of behavior fails to reflect the values of this district and the hardworking people who live here. I have talked to hundreds of people in all corners of the district and what they want is a representative who will stand up for them, not tear our communities apart. That’s why I’m running. I already have a track record of achieving meaningful results. I have served on a local school board and currently chair a broadband workgroup, which is bringing high-speed internet to over 10,000 homes in Allegan County. My focus is on our community’s safety, lowering everyday costs, and ensuring a better West Michigan for the next generation. I’m honored to have support from trusted leaders including Governor Whitmer, Senator McCann, Sheriff Fuller and former Republican Representative David Maturen, who served most of South County from 2015 to 2018. I promise to show up for the 42nd House District and make government work again.
45th House district
Sarah Lightner
I am a wife, mom, farmer and small business owner. My husband and I have been married almost 23 years and we have two sons, Eli, 19, and Gavin, 16. We have a crop farm, some cattle and own and operate a custom hay-baling business. Currently, I serve as the ranking Republican on Appropriations as the minority vice chair. I also serve as the minority vice chair of the Judiciary Subcommittee, member of Corrections Committee, General Government Subcommittee and the House Fiscal Agency Governing Committee. I am also the co-chair of the Legislative Sportsman Caucus, the Women’s Golf Caucus, and the Co-Chair of the Women’s Commission. I have been honored to be your voice in Lansing. I will continue to fight to combat inflation by opposing billions of dollars in out-of-control government spending. I will continue to fight for an income tax rollback, so that you can keep more of the money you earn. I will continue to advocate for new funding for law enforcement and make sure we prepare our children for a brighter future and that they feel safe and secure at school. I have a voting record that supports my statements and will continue to be your voice in Lansing when deciding on important issues. Feel free to contact me at lightner4staterep@gmail.com.
Doug Murch
I’m a lifelong Michigander. My family and community are what I value most. The decision to run for state rep is informed by my desire to strengthen both my community and our state. We deserve leaders who are honest, straightforward, and willing to take stands on difficult positions. We need folks in the State House who will stand up for our community and support legislative efforts that genuinely improve conditions and make Michigan a better place to raise a family. These are difficult times in our state and nation. Political extremism gets in the way of real solutions. It provides a distraction from the real issues people face daily – education, child care, job opportunities, caring for an aging parent. We can address these difficult issues, but we must be able to talk to our neighbors. We can disagree without being disagreeable. The toxic nature of our current political discourse doesn’t make anyone’s life better. Michigan is in the bottom five in population growth according to the last census. Young workers are moving away seeking opportunities elsewhere because we’re unable to offer them here. That’s gotta change. For that to happen, we have to be able to talk to each other. I’m running because Michigan’s 45th House District deserves someone who shows up. I will show up for all of you.
