ADRIAN — Republicans have another choice in the upcoming election for state representative in Michigan's new 34th House District.

Julie Moore of Adrian Township formally announced her campaign for the seat with an event Wednesday evening in Adrian. She introduced herself and why she is running for the office to an audience of several relatives, friends and other supporters who gathered at an office in downtown Adrian as well as viewers on Facebook.

Two other candidates have announced their candidacies in the Republican primary: retired Madison Township Fire Chief Ryan Rank and state Sen. Dale Zorn, who has said he intends to move from his longtime home in Ida to his family cottage on Sand Lake in order to seek one last term in the House. He is term-limited from seeking reelection to the Senate, but he had only served two terms in the House before he ran for the Senate.

House members can serve no more than three two-year terms. That is why current state Rep. Bronna Kahle, R-Adrian, is not seeking reelection.

One other person, Melissa Dempsey of Adrian, has filed to run, according to Michigan Secretary of State campaign finance records.

Moore is a nurse and teaches diabetes education, she said. She also volunteers with a local health care collaborative called Lenawee Health Network and at the Care Pregnancy Center of Lenawee where she has been a program facilitator and an educator for their Sexual Risk Avoidance program.

Her other community service roles include serving on the board of Associated Charities of Lenawee County, serving meals at Share the Warmth, and being a member of the Evening Lions club, Right to Life of Lenawee County, and Crossroads Community church, she said.


She has been active in politics, serving as a precinct delegate for Adrian Township and on the county Republicans' executive committee.

Moore said she and her husband, Rick, are Tecumseh High School graduates and raised their family in Lenawee County, and most of them still live in the area.

"I am running for this office because I believe this is an important time to step up and defend those freedoms and beliefs that we hold dear, for our families, our grandchildren, and for future generations," she said.


She said she has heard residents' concerns about election integrity and government overreach and petitions were available at the event for an initiative to implement voting legislation. Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer vetoed similar bills passed by the Republican-led state Legislature, but if the petition drive collects enough valid signatures, the Legislature could bypass the governor and enact its proposals.

Moore's main focus, she said, includes the economy, health care and education.


"My goal is to impact those policies that will shape the future of our state and promote a brighter future for our grandchildren," she said.

Making Michigan a better place includes promoting small businesses and a healthy economy, she said.

"I hear the voices of people in the community that are frustrated about the rising cost at the grocery store and at the gas pump, and that are worried about having enough retirement savings to sustain them," she said.

"A decision concerning vaccines belongs in a doctor's office," Moore said. "I heard the voices of people that are concerned with the ties of vaccine mandates to employment."

Mental health treatment delays and drug overdoses also remain a top concern in the county, she said.

"I believe that educating our youth to be participating members of society is crucial," she said. "Michigan public schools ranked in the bottom third of the country. Hiring and retaining well-educated teachers, and preparing our students for work or college after high school is one of my top concerns."

"I think that now is the time to step forward to protect our constitutional rights and preserve our conservative values," she said.

The primary election is Aug. 2. The filing deadline for partisan candidates is April 19.

David Panian
The Daily Telegram