Republican Rep. Joseph Bellino Jr. said he is confident he will defeat Democrat Katybeth Davis on Nov. 8 to represent Michigan’s 16th state Senate District.
“I’m going to keep doing the same work I’ve been doing the last nine months,” Bellino said. “We’re running through the tape at the finish line and hopefully it comes out that I win.”
The two candidates are running for the newly-redistricted seat that now represents parts of Hillsdale, Lenawee, and Monroe counties.
The seat is currently held by State Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey, who cannot run again due to the state senate’s two-term limit. A Republican has represented the 16th District for more than a decade, and President Donald Trump won the three counties in 2020 by more than 20 points each.
Bellino currently represents the 17th District in the Michigan House of Representatives.
Davis said she acknowledges how strong the area’s support for Trump was in the 2020 election, but that she believes she can win the election.
“To be honest, I think my chances are 50-50,” Davis said. “People are going to turn out in this election. There is going to be a big turnout for people just for these ballot proposals that are on there. We still want to put a referendum on Jan. 6 and the events that happened.”
Both candidates are using high gas prices as a campaign issue. Davis said she would support cutting the gas tax, while Bellino said he would support a gas tax holiday.
“We have enough money to do that,” Bellino said. “It would save people money and put it in your pocket right now.”
The candidates clash strongly on abortion. The issue will be on the ballot in the form of Proposal 3, which would amend the state constitution to establish a right to abortion. Davis said abortion is her top concern.
“I can tell you what my number one goal for everyone is,” Davis said. “First and foremost, especially if Proposal 3 doesn’t go through – reproductive rights is going to be the number one issue.”
Bellino said there is a strong contrast between his position on abortion and his opponent’s.
“I’m staunchly pro-life, and she’s voting yes on Proposal 3,” Bellino said. “That’s all you need to know. That’s a big difference right there.”
The candidates also have differing views on the minimum wage. After an increase to $9.87 last year, the Michigan minimum wage is scheduled to gradually rise to $12.05 by 2030. Davis said she is in favor of an increase in the minimum wage beyond the scheduled $12.05, but doesn’t think her ideal policy is within reach.
“If I could make everybody’s minimum wage $50 an hour, I certainly would,” Davis said. “But it’s not going to happen. I just have to be realistic. There’s no way that you’re gonna get anybody to like all people to agree on that.”
Bellino said he is undecided on how he would vote when the minimum wage increases end.
“You’ve got to listen to the business community,” Bellino said. “I’ll listen to people in my district and will act accordingly.”
Voters can find the location of their polling place by visiting the Michigan Voter Information Center online at https://mvic.sos.state.mi.us/Voter/Index.
