A Mt. Pleasant attorney who has specialized in representing those facing hardships is the second Democrat to declare her candidacy for the chance to face Rep. Roger Hauck in November.
Kristen Brown, a Mt. Pleasant native with a private law practice, joins Mt. Pleasant Mayor Allison Quast-Lents in the August primary that will decide who faces Hauck in the general election.
“I’m from a family of educators, and I am increasingly concerned by the lack of support out public schools are receiving,” Brown said in announcing her run. “The challenges our teachers face as they try to do their jobs with ever-diminishing resources is unbelievable.”
Brown said she’s not satisfied with leadership in Lansing and said funding for roads and other infrastructure also needed attention.
Quest Lents – who owns Motorless Motion bicycle shop in Mt. Pleasant and was elected mayor earlier this year – announced her candidacy in late March.
Winner of the Democratic primary in August faces Rep. Roger Hauck, a first-term Republican seeking re-election to the 99th District House seat that represents all of Isabella County and 10 townships in Midland County.
Brown graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School in 1985, earned her bachelor’s degree in political science and pre-law from Michigan State University and her juris doctor from Detroit College of Law in 1992.
She has maintained a private practice law form since 1995.
“I have spent most of my professional life advocating for those dealing with various hardships, including disabled individuals who are no longer able to work, and children in abusive and neglectful homes,” she said.
“I believe I can be a strong voice in Lansing to now advocate for the residents of the 99th District. I grew up in this community and I want to much to serve its people. Truly, I can think of no greater honor.”