Grand Rapids-area candidates for local, state offices commit to community priorities at forum

Together West Michigan hosted a candidate accountability forum in Grand Rapids where state and local candidates largely agreed on housing affordability, transit funding, a child care tax credit, and expanding the TriShare program. The one issue that split candidates by party was the Drive SAFE bills, which would let undocumented immigrants obtain state driver's licenses; both Democrats present supported them, while Republicans Brady Middleton and Mark Huizenga said they might.

Nearly every Democratic nominee in the relevant state House and Senate races attended, but only one Republican candidate, Drew Robbins, showed up despite organizers confirming all candidates were invited. About 500 people attended, and candidates in nonpartisan city races also committed to releasing police use-of-force data, with disagreement limited to a Grand Rapids Land Bank Authority funding transfer.

The full dispatch is available from the source below.