Genso running for state Senate in newly drawn 22nd District
Genso replaces fellow Democrat Mike Tipton, who withdrew from race after suffering massive heart attack
Jordan Genso of Brighton has filed to run as the Democratic candidate for the newly drawn 22nd state Senate seat.
The redrawn district — which includes all of Livingston County, and all or parts of Stockbridge, White Oak, and Leroy townships in Ingham County, Argentine and Fenton townships in Genesee County, Antrim and Burns townships in Shiawassee County, and Holly Township in Oakland County — is currently represented by Republican state Sen. Lana Theis, who is facing a primary challenge from Mike Detmer of Howell.
The filing deadline for candidates is 4 p.m. Tuesday, so it is likely that Genso will be the Democrat facing whichever Republican wins.
Genso said he is running to honor Mike Tipton, his good friend and fellow Democrat who had filed to run in the district but withdrew from the race after suffering a massive heart attack. According to a release from Genso, Tipton is “battling hard to make a full recovery.”
“I ask every voter in the district, Republican and Democrat alike, to keep Mike’s recovery in their heart,” Genso said. “When Mike told me he was going to run, I was excited to support his candidacy, and was heartbroken to hear of his heart attack. In the spirit of Mike’s intended campaign slogan of ‘You Have a Real Choice,’ I felt I could help fulfill that promise by ensuring that the voters have a real choice this November.
“So I’m doing this for Mike, and I’m doing it for the Livingston County and district voters who aren’t happy with what our politics have become.”
Genso said his campaign will focus on restoring civility in politics.
“Nearly all Michigan citizens can recognize how toxic our politics have become,” Genso said. “The way to return to healthy political discourse is to actually talk to each other, rather than remaining in our separate bubbles. There is a growing sense that those we disagree with are ‘evil.’ That doesn’t sit well with me. Our political leaders should be the first to demonstrate that we don’t have to find total agreement on everything to be civil.”
Genso, a Realtor with RE/MAX Platinum in Brighton, serves on the Brighton District Library Board of Trustees, as well as Brighton’s Zoning Board of Appeals, and he ran for Livingston County Clerk in 2020. Genso lives in Brighton with his wife, Leesa, and their two daughters.
I wish him well