Jim moved to the town of McKinley, Wisconsin in 1989 where his father took up farming. On his father's farm Jim learned the value of hard work and a day's wage. Jim was raised in a Christian home and has been a born again Christian since age 9. For most of Jim's life he has been active in the Boy Scouts of America. After graduating from Cumberland High School in 2001, Jim joined the United States Coast Guard Reserve because he felt a strong need to serve his country after years in the scouting program. After completing Coast Guard basic training Jim attended Northern Michigan University, where he graduated with a Bachelor's of Science in Political Science in 2005. While at NMU Jim remained an avid member of the USCGR. Most of that time he served as the senior ranking reservist onboard the USCGC Buckthorn with a homeport in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. Jim Fulner declared himself a candidate for US House District 9 against longtime incumbent Sandy Levin. Jim knows change starts not with government, but with individuals, through helping our neighbors, voluntarily. He's running for Congress to enlighten Michiganders to the world we could have if we eliminated force for political and social goals. To show that the Declaration of Independence is still relevant today. Jim believes that now is the time for the citizens of district 9 to take to the streets and start their own libertarian rEVOLution. Jim knows that his campaign is only the beginning to, as St. Francis said, being the change he wishes to see in the world. Jim and Suzanne are expecting their first child, just after the November election.

John writes, “I am married to Pat, and we have been residents of Huntington Woods for 35 years. I was born and raised in Milwaukee, before a career change brought me to Michigan. I served on the Huntington Woods Library Board prior to my being elected to the Huntington Woods City Commission for a four year term. Later, I was appointed by the Governor as a Workers' Compensation Magistrate, where I heard and decided injured workers' disability claims for 13 years. I served under two Michigan Governors, subject to being re-appointed by them. My experience in legislative and budgetary functions, as well as exercising judgment in applying the law, give me a unique background to serve as the next State Representative in Michigan's 27th District.

“I received my undergraduate degree from Marquette University in Milwaukee. Later, I obtained my MBA from Xavier University in Cincinnati. While working in my Small Business Consulting and tax accounting practice, I attended Detroit College of Law, receiving my JD Degree in 1984, passing the Michigan Bar Exam a few months later. While in my private practice as an attorney, I worked with small business clients on tax and business legal matters, as well as personal taxation and estate planning. I help serve the community as an active member in my Kiwanis Club, where I have held the offices of President and Lt. Governor. I also am a member of the Knights of Columbus Council in Berkley. Although I have been a “small L” libertarian for quite a few years, I have been a card-carrying member of the “capital L” Libertarians for the last three years. I currently hold the office of Secretary in the Oakland County Libertarian Party.

I am running for elected office because I see so much potential in our state being wasted. Politicians in Lansing insist on claiming that manufacturing jobs are going overseas. Mercedes-Benz, Volkswagen, Nissan, Kia, Hyundai, Honda, and Toyota all built new factories in the United States in the last thirty years. Why not in Michigan? Democrats think that charging everyone higher energy prices so that a few people can have jobs maintaining a windmill is a good idea. Republicans don’t object on principle, they just think there should be a regulatory system in place before any wind has even been milled. Higher prices for energy and more regulation won’t attract new employers to our state. Liberty and justice will.

I advocate reduction of operating budgets for all county entities to match an even revenue balance, with the general consensus of the Board of Commissioners on fixed reduction targets department by department. I would push for the abolition of DDA’s within the county, and return taxing authority solely to local elected officials. DDA’s create duplicate government overhead, with taxing authority given to unelected political cronies. This will improve the financial health of cities within the County and reduce reliance on local units for County fiscal backing of bond debt. I would end Health Care Coverage for County Commissioners.

I am in favor of reducing the operating budget for county jail operations, to force revisions in sentencing for non-violent crimes to reduce short term incarceration rates. I believe that far too much emphasis is placed on minor traffic enforcement, which inhibits the right to freedom of movement, and clogs up disproportionate hours of court time, burdens the poorest of the poor, and decreases societies trust in our sense of fairness. All too often, traffic enforcement is used as blackmail to balance local and state budgets. This motivation is not rational; it is punitive to normal law abiding citizens and has the opposite effect of decreasing public trust.

I advocate consolidation of Public School Corporations, to be unified under a single County School District. This makes all aspects of county government more efficient, through elimination of duplicate personnel, benefits, building and asset maintenance, and administrative costs. I advocate consolidation of local fire departments in the county, into a single well coordinated organization to address the growing need for larger response teams and more specialized training. This can be done most efficiently in a county run Fire Department modeled after the combined Fire Authority created for Brighton City, Genoa Township and Brighton Township.