Breaking down the Ballot: 38th District State Senate Seat - Republicans

This year the 38th District State Senate seat is open, as Tom Casperson is vacating is his seat. This position covers 12 of Upper Peninsula's 15 counties.

On August 7, the public will choose between GOP candidates Ed McBroom or Mike Carey. The winner will take on Scott Dianda, the sole Democrat, in November.

Both want to use the Senate seat to tackle the U.P.’s biggest issues regarding jobs, U.P. environment, high utility rates and insurance mandates.

"We have high vehicle per capita despite having lower incomes from the rest of the state, many families have multiple cars and are paying some of the highest in the country and that’s got to be ended," said McBroom. "We look across the border into Wisconsin see people paying half of what we have, I want to be part of that solution."

"The ability to lower our auto insurance is easy and low hanging fruit and I honestly cannot believe its held on this long," said Mike Carey. "Just give us choice, all we want is choice. If I don’t want that than, let me choose that. It's costing our seniors $800 every six months per car. That’s killing us."

Carey, a sixth-generation Yooper and operator behind Carey Construction said his 35 years of business experience, along with 20 years of political experience, will help make a difference in Lansing and stand out from his competitors.

"I have a shelf life, my one goal is the residents of the Upper Peninsula, the economic development of the U.P. I don’t have to worry about looking for the next office or how is my vote going to affect my step ladder toward my next office. I have a shelf life," said Carey.

U.P. native, McBroom, a previous state representative for six years said his time and success in the House will give him the experience in the Lansing over his competitors.

"A record that shows that I am willing to work with people on all sides of the aisle, across the spectrum of the Upper Peninsula and I had been successful with that. We had a great partnership between myself, Tom Casperson, John Kivela over the years," said McBroom. "We had a great team going."

After the primary election on August 7, the GOP winner will join Democrat Scott Dianda on the November ballot.

To see where both candidates stand on other issues, visit the websites in the Related Links section of this story.