SE Grand Rapids News

Jerrad Higgins is seeking the Republican nomination to serve as a Keene Township Trustee for a four-year term. The primary election will be held on August 6.

According to Ionia County's candidate list, Higgins is facing Chris Nelson, Sandy Smiley, and Nate Wolff in the GOP primary against. Voters may choose up to two candidates.

Higgins has worked at Greenville Tool & Die for 26 years, and for the past 13 years, he has led the nightshift engineering department. Higgins told Daily News in a Q&A that that "job has taught me to work collaboratively with others, to listen and balance the needs of teammates, and to meet deadlines."

Additionally, Higgins shared with the Daily News that for more than 25 years, he has owned and operated a farm business in Keene Township that includes beef cattle farming. 

"From my farm business I have honed many skills that would be valuable to our township government as it strives to serve residents," he said. "Things like planning and implementation; identifying issues and solving problems, managing expenses to ensure profitability, serving customers and simply getting things done." 

In the Q&A, he explained how his family's history in the area have contributed to his "deep understanding of our township" that gives him "a unique perspective that will inform my decisions as I work to benefit all residents."

Higgins told the Daily News that among the goals he has if he is elected are increasing and getting better quality maintenance by the Ionia County Road Commission for gravel roads and improving dust control with more chloride.

In a press release, Private Property Rights PAC — a political action committee whose "mission is to safeguard and promote the ownership and control of private property" — endorsed Higgins, stating that he "has demonstrated a profound commitment to the principles of property rights and governance that respect the rights of individual property owners" and praising his stance against government overreach. 

Private Property Rights PAC Senior Adviser Madeline Morris expressed confidence in Higgins' commitment to private property rights and government transparency and accountability, predicting that he "will help protect the foundational rights that are vital to personal freedom and economic stability" in Keene Township.

Per the Keene Township website, the Board comprises two trustees.

According to the Michigan Townships Association, township trustees act as township legislators and are required to vote on all issues. They are also responsible for the fiduciary health of the township and for carrying out any other duties assigned by the township board. Trustees are elected to four-year terms.