Four of five Republican candidates running to become Michigan’s next governor came together for a big debate Thursday night.
The Oakland County GOP hosted the event in Auburn Hills with state Senator Aric Nesbitt, Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox, businessman Perry Johnson, and police chaplain Ralph Rebandt.
The first to speak was Nesbitt. He was asked about affordability and reliability of utility companies.
“As I travel the state, been to all 83 counties, people are struggling under Gretchen Whitmer and the Democrats majority in Lansing,” Nesbitt said. “They are struggling. The average family makes $9,000 less per year here in Michigan.”
Ralph Rebandt introduced himself in his opening statement.
“I’m running as someone who’s been a public servant for 40 years, as a pastor, as a police chaplain,” Rebrandt said. “I have helped people in their toughest times and in their best joys. I know what the electric bill feels like. I know what the property tax bill feels like. And as your governor, I will make sure that everything that I say and do is with you in mind.”
A big topic for discussion was data centers. Mike Cox weighed in, saying local control is key.
“Number one, keep local control,” Cox said. “If you want it, go for it. If you don’t, don’t. In fact, we have 70 data centers right now here. In fact, there’s one in Southville that runs most of all the phones in Metro Detroit.”
Frontrunner John James was invited and was supposed to participate, but backed out. The Oakland County GOP says it was disappointed with his decision to do so.
