Fairbairn and Decker discuss housing, education in 107th District forum

Two Northern Michigan House candidates made their cases to voters tonight, presenting different approaches to tackling the state's issues.

Democrat Jodi Decker, a social worker, and Republican Parker Fairbairn, a business owner, took questions on housing access and education funding and how they would influence policy if elected to the state house.

"I think everybody's in pretty much a consensus that we do need more housing," Decker said. "We want to keep our young people here, and they don't have anywhere to move to."

Both candidates shared concerns about limited housing access in the region, saying it presents challenges for attracting and retaining talent.

"We have employees to come from Onaway and Chippewa every day to work hour and a half commute," Fairbairn said. "We should be able to have housing for them — their commutes a half hour."

The candidates also discussed education funding, a policy area republicans could heavily influence if they retake the house.

"You had the Democrats cut $300 million in our education system, which I think is totally ridiculous," Fairbairn said. "So Republicans are going to be for the teachers. We're going to be for the education system and getting dollars."

Both candidates shared support for greater school safety resources, along with ensuring public schools are adequately funded.

"During the covid pandemic, kids were sent back so far, and they have been in catch up — so bringing more programs for the students," Decker said. "Mental health is another thing that was exacerbated in the pandemic, so we can make sure that we have enough mental health providers in our schools for the children to talk to."

The 107th seat includes all of Charlevoix and Emmet Counties, along with parts of Mackinac, Chippewa and Cheboygan Counties.

Decker and Fairbairn both ran for the seat in 2022 – Fairbairn lost to Neil Friske in the Republican primary, who went on to defeat Decker by 13 points in the general election. Friske was defeated by Fairbairn in this year's Republican primary.

Democrat Callie Barr, a lawyer and veteran health advocate running for congress in the first district, also spoke at the event, saying that she could serve as a moderate voice for the UP and Northern Michigan.

"I have met people all across our district who are gritty, resilient, innovative, and creative, and it's so inspiring to see that kind of grit," she said. "And I just want to be a conduit to help bring those voices to Washington DC because they could learn a little bit from us about what it means to come together as a community and to just do good things."

Her opponent, three-term congressman Jack Bergman, was not in attendance.

Absentee ballots went out to voters last week, and early in-person voting will begin by Oct. 26th. For more information on voting in Michigan, visit the Secretary of State's office.