Wolkinson running for 40th state House

A familiar face has decided to try again for the state House of Representatives, this time in a new district in which two known quantities in the area’s Republican politics are already vying for the job representing the eastern portion of West Bloomfield Township, in addition to Birmingham, Bloomfield Township and Bloomfield Hills.

Republican David Wolkinson — who served as policy director for Gov. Rick Snyder during his 2010 gubernatorial campaign and unsuccessfully ran for the GOP’s nomination for the 39th House District seat in 2008 — announced his candidacy for the new 40th House District seat late last week. He joins a field that already includes county Commissioner David Potts (R-Birmingham) and Birmingham Public Schools Board of Education Treasurer Robert Lawrence, who both entered the campaign earlier this year.

While Wolkinson said he would be coming out with more specific policy suggestions “in the next couple months,” he said making the state’s tax code “simpler, flatter, and fairer,” as well as revamping the state’s regulatory code would be top priorities should he get to Lansing.

“From a higher, 20,000-foot perspective, we need to make this state the most hospitable place to do business,” he said.

Politically, he said his campaign is focused on the issues rather than the two other candidates who have hopped into the race for the new 40th state House District seat.

“I’m not running against David Potts or Robert Lawrence,” Wolkinson said. “I’m running because I want to be a state representative, because I think it’s important to move the state forward. I think I’m the candidate that brings the most experience with the private sector and policy experience working with the governor (in the 2010 campaign). That gives me a real unique background and understanding to really hit the ground running and be a major force in Lansing from day No. 1.”

An economist and attorney, Wolkinson said an official campaign announcement will come on Monday, March 12 from 7 to 8 p.m. at the Bloomfield Township Library in an event that will be free and open to the public.

State representatives serve two-year terms and are currently paid $79,650 per year.