Meet the Candidates: Regina Strong Running for Future Generations

The Aug. 7 primary election is drawing closer every day, but how much do you really know about the names on the ballot?

Patch is interviewing candidates running in the Aug. 7 primary, including candidates for the 39th District's seat in the Michigan House of Representatives.

The seat is currently filled by Rep. Lisa Brown, who will not run, instead currently occupied by Bill Bullard Jr.

Running for the spot on the Democrat ticket are Pamela Jackson, of Commerce, and Regina Strong, of West Bloomfield.

Regina Strong

Age: 50

Family: Strong is the mother of two teenage daughters — the oldest a sophmore in college and the youngest a senior at .

Education: Strong earned her undergraduate degree in journalism from Michigan State University.

Occupation: Strong currently manages public relations for the Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce after working as a public relations consultant. She led an association and served as a global director for a Fortune 500 corporation. 

Residence: Strong has lived in West Bloomfield for nine years.

Other activities: Strong has served as Co-Chair of United We Walk, on the executive committee of the West Bloomfield High School PTO, and participated as a booster in the high school chorale and theater departments. She has also served on the advisory board of the Michigan Nonprofit Association's southeast Michigan advisory council and is a graduate of Leadership Detroit XIX, sponsored by the Detroit Regional Chamber.

Why are you running for state representative?

Strong is inspired by both the difficulty of raising a family of two teenagers in difficult economic times as well as the strength of the community. 

"As a mother of two teenage daughters, I understand how critically important it is to create an environment that will prepare them to compete globally. We need our children ready to step into the jobs created in our new economy," Strong said.

Strong hopes that if elected, she will be able to bolster currently-existing businesses with incentives designed to encourage the hiring unemployed local workers. She also hopes to encourage growth in new areas including green business.

What are new ideas you would bring to the position/district?

Strong hopes to see a ban of "fracking" — hydraulic fracturing, controversially used in the expansion of the natural gas industry — in order to preserve the beauty of lakes, woodlands and wetlands local to the area. In addition, Strong said, she intends to introduce legislation designed to protect Michigan from the threat of invasive species.

"I want future generations to be able to benefit from the richness of our environment," Strong said.

Strong added that she hopes to restore revenue sharing to townships and municipalities across the state in order to fund police and fire departments in a more effective way.

"It is imperative that we create communities that people want to live in. Restoring revenue sharing to communities and supporting safe communities is critical for the residents of Michigan," Strong said.

What do you think are the biggest issues facing Michigan?

Strong sees jobs, education, the environment, and safety as the biggest issues in the area.

The economy needs help now, Strong said, and in order to attract new industries, she believes there must be a workforce in place that can meet the employment requirements for new and emerging industries.

"I believe tax breaks alone are not enough to draw new industries and businesses to the state. We must reinstate incentives for a variety of industries, including advanced batteries and green industries," Strong said.

Strong added that she hopes to stabilize pre-K through college education funding by keeping it held harmless in the budget process.

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Who else is running? Meet the candidates for the Michigan House of Representatives Patch has interviewed so far: