Clawson's entry brings House race to seven hopefuls

Commerce Township Republican Albert Clawson is joining an already crowded GOP primary field seeking the party’s nomination for the newly-drawn 39th state House of Representatives seat.

Clawson ran in the 2010 Republican primary election for the current 39th state House District seat, which represents West Bloomfield and Commerce townships and Wolverine Lake, and is currently held by Democratic state Rep. Lisa Brown, who defeated eventual Republican nominee Lois Shulman.

Clawson lost in the 2010 GOP primary when he received 17 percent of the vote (1,648), compared to Shulman’s 53 percent (4,987) and Karl Sipfle’s 28 percent (2,673).

“I believe in giving back to the community and serving the people,” Clawson said of what sparked him to enter this year’s Republican primary. “Some of my key issues are bringing high technology to Michigan.”

He highlighted an effort by Google and other companies to create vehicles that effectively drive themselves.

“Right now, the only state in the union that has addressed laws that will be needed for these cars is Nevada,” Clawson said. “It bothers me that other states are adopting and allowing and encouraging automotive technologies before Michigan. I want those cars to be built, tested and sold here.”

In addition, he is calling for eliminating barriers to innovation, improving Internet availability, and protecting the state’s water resources, among others.

“Another issue that I know a lot of people are having a problem with is the blight from these foreclosed homes. I have far more boots-on-the-ground experience (in that) than the other candidates.”

Republican hopefuls already in the race include Nicholas Kennedy of Wixom, Klint Kesto of Commerce, Bubba Urdan of West Bloomfield Township, and Kristine Zrinyi of Commerce.

On the Democratic side, Pam Jackson of Commerce and Regina Strong of West Bloomfield are seeking the nod from their party’s voters.

State representatives serve two-year terms and are currently paid $71,685 annually.

The primary election is slated for Aug. 7, and the general election is scheduled for Nov. 6. The filing deadline for candidates is May 15.