Home    News    February 2006 News

News from the Keweenaw Peninsula Posted Feb. 24, 2006  Updated Feb. 25, 2006* Text © 2006 Paula McCambridge. Photo  © 2006 and courtesy Mike Lahti and State Farm Insurance Co. Reprinted with permission.

Mike Lahti Announces Candidacy for 110th District House Seat 

By Paula McCambridge

HOUGHTON -- In the first of a five-stop campaign kick-off, Mike Lahti announced his candidacy for the 110th District State House Seat on the steps of the Houghton County Courthouse this morning. Lahti listed a number of issues he considers of primary concern to citizens of the Western Upper Peninsula, topping the list with jobs.

“We’ve seen the loss of too many jobs. The people of the Western U.P. need a representative whose number one job is jobs,” Lahti said. “I will fight for working families. We’ve seen too many CEOs take the golden parachute and leave employees holding the bag…We need to reward businesses to stay in Michigan instead of sending them to other states and overseas.”

Mike Lahti, chair of the Houghton County Board of Commissioners and vice chairman of the Board of Trustees at Finlandia University, announced his candidacy for the 110th District State House Seat on the steps of the Houghton County Courthouse this morning, Feb. 24. Lahti, a Democrat, also serves on the board of the Western U.P. Health Department. He is president of the Michigan Works!, chairman of the Houghton County United Way, owner of the State Farm insurance agency in Hancock and real estate developer. (Photo © 2006 and courtesy Mike Lahti and State Farm Insurance Co. Reprinted with permission.)

Lahti continued his speech with a list of Lansing objectives.

“I will do everything I can to provide money for education -- from preschool to higher ed,” he said. “I will fight to keep our fair share of funding for these schools.” 

Lahti also listed Great Lakes pollution and health care as key issues as well as supporting the local logging industry and tourism.

Mike Lahti, a Democrat, is currently chairman of the Houghton County Board of Commissioners, vice chairman of the Board of Trustees at Finlandia University, president of the Michigan Works!, chairman of the Houghton County United Way, owner of the State Farm insurance agency in Hancock and real estate developer. He also serves on the board of the Western U.P. Health Department.

The small crowd of supporters applauded, and shouts of “Bravo” could be heard as Lahti ended his speech.

Supporter Anton Pintar said it’s Lahti’s experience that gives him the credentials to serve at the state level.

“He’s done a very good job as county commissioner and as a businessman in Hancock,” Pintar said. “I think he’ll bring that experience to make a difference in Lansing.”

Alex Mayer, vice chair of the Houghton County Democrats and member of the Lahti election committee, said, “We need a Democrat in the Michigan House of Representatives who will hold up Democratic core values, such as health care, jobs and the environment. He’s got the experience to do that.”

Clarence McDonald, chairman of the retired UAW (United Auto Workers) of the Western Upper Peninsula, said it was Lahti’s dedication to union values that earned his support.

“Mike supports the principles that unions stand for,” McDonald said. “He believes in raising the minimum wage. I hope to get the union behind him. He’s done a wonderful job in Houghton County and I think he can carry that right over into Lansing.”

Lahti presents his candidacy for the position now held by State Representative Rich Brown (D-Bessemer), who is term-limited. 

* Brown sent this email message to Keweenaw Now: "Regarding Mike Lahti's announcement today, I've known Mike for some time now, and I think he will make an excellent candidate for the 110th District seat."

Editor's note: Guest writer Paula McCambridge is an experienced journalist who has reported for newspapers in Michigan and California. She is also a full-time student at Michigan Technological University, where she is studying communication and culture studies, psychology and art. See Paula McCambridge's Jan. 6, 2006, article on Mike Lahti's historic restoration of the Scott Hotel in Hancock, "Scott Hotel renovations make Hancock history."

Visit the Keweenaw Now discussion forums to comment on this article.