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MENOMINEE -- Republican Tom Casperson is frustrated...frustrated, he says, with recent decisions made by the state government.  And he's preparing for next week's election by letting voters know how he feels.

He recently went door-to-door in Menominee, introducing himself to constituents as the Republican candidate for the 38th District State Senate Seat.

“People are more engaged than ever before, which is good for our process,” says Casperson.

Casperson's political career began in 2002 when he was elected as State Representative for the 108th District.  He didn't hold an office during the last term, and while he says the campaign for State Senate has been different than those he did for the State House, it's been interesting to talk to constituents in other parts of the U.P.

One thing he's been hearing?  Support for the Republican Party as a whole.

“The mood across the country in general is helping all over, including the Upper Peninsula,” Casperson says.  “We're seeing the same thing, we're hearing the same thing; the people are upset, they believe that the government is not listening to them, including their elected officials.”

As for what issues he stands for, Casperson says it's simple:  limited government.

“I really believe that the government needs to be more of a service-oriented department versus the bureaucratic departments that we have.”

Casperson will face Democratic candidate Mike Lahti in the election.