Trending
ESCANABA -- Sara Cambensy, former State Representative, officially turned in her nominating petition signatures on Friday to enter the race to represent the state’s 38th Senate district in Lansing.
Michigan's 38th District Senate seat will be available as current Senator Ed McBroom’s term ends Jan. 1, 2027. The district includes almost the entire Upper Peninsula, excluding easternmost parts of Mackinac and Chippewa Counties.
Vying for the seat are Republicans Dave PRestin and Beau LaFave as well as Democrat Kelli van Ginhoven.
In order to run for the seat, Democrat and Republican candidates running for the seat have the option to either collect a minimum of 1,000 signatures or pay $100 to be on the ballot; most do the latter. Candidates unaffiliated with a major party don’t have the option -- they must collect a minimum of 1,000 signatures.
"If anyone wonders why they don't see more candidates running as Independents, this is why. Clearing the signature hurdle is an enormous barrier for entry into state races, and not having the same option to pay a small fee like Democrats and Republicans do keeps most people from even trying," Cambensy said.
To be placed on the Nov. 3 general election ballot as an Independent candidate, Cambensy traveled to the Secretary of State's office in Lansing and submitted 2,349 signatures, according to a press release.
Following the 102 days spent collecting signatures, Cambensy said she was grateful for the time it allowed her to get out and talk to people about the issues they're facing and the work they want their state Senator to do.
"People are tired of the negative political divide in our state and nation right now. They've had it with the finger-pointing and blame game,” Cambensy said. “It's destroying lifelong friendships, families, and holding our true potential for success in our local communities, state, and nation back. They simply want elected officials to get stuff done. Nothing that impacts their day-to-day lives in terms of housing, healthcare, education, tax burdens, water/sewer rates, energy costs is getting resolved. They're extremely frustrated."
Cambensy added that U.P. residents feel the two-party system cares more about keeping or gaining political power than they do about making life affordable for the people they represent, which has led to people coming towards the middle rather than identifying with one of the major players in the bipartisan scene.
"The vast majority of people, especially in the U.P., no longer vote straight ticket. They're disenfranchised with the way both parties now operate, constantly slinging mud instead of talking about the issues,” she said. “They are looking for an alternative. People want someone who works for them, who represents their district, not a party platform that uses fringe issues to rile up their base and divide us. They desperately want common sense back in government. As an Independent who has no party to please and only the people to work for, I'm excited to be able to get out there and hit the campaign trail to focus on the issues."
Born, raised and residing in Marquette, Cambensy served for three terms as a state representative in Michigan's 109th district — a position now held by Karl Bohnak — from 2017 to 2022. Though she was a Democratic member of the House, she “often broke away from her party on energy topics like the Line 5 oil pipeline,” according to Michigan Information and Research Service Inc.
Prior to entering the House of Representatives, Cambensy served 10 years in local government as a city commissioner, charter commissioner, and planning commissioner for the City of Marquette. Cambensy was also the Director of Adult and Community Education for the Marquette Area Public Schools prior to entering state office.