Northern Michigan University's WNMU Public Media and WLUC-TV6 have teamed up to present a pre-recorded, one-hour forum featuring the two candidates for the Michigan House of Representatives 109th District. Incumbent Jenn Hill is seeking a second two-year term, while Republican challenger and political newcomer Karl Bohnak is looking to unseat her.
The 109th House District covers Marquette, Alger, Baraga, and the eastern two-thirds of Dickinson counties.
“This election season, no Michigan race is of more interest than that for the 109th, as the winner may help determine party control of the Michigan House of Representatives,” said WNMU producer and forum moderator Mike Settles. “Representative Hill is the only Democrat on the team of U.P. legislators representing our region in Lansing. The Republicans would like to capture that seat and make it a clean sweep.”
The journalists questioning the candidates included WNMU-FM/Public Radio 90 News Director Nicole Walton, WLUC-TV6 News Director Andrew LaCombe, and WLUC-TV6 Anchor and “Upper Michigan Today” Host Elizabeth Peterson. The candidates presented and defended their positions on a dozen topics, ranging from the U.P. economy and energy needs to the ongoing political divide and attack ads dominating the airwaves.
The forum will air at the following times (all Eastern): during a special one-hour episode of WNMU-TV's Media Meet at 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, and repeated at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 29; and on Public Radio 90 at 7 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 29 and both 5 a.m. and 3 p.m. Monday, Sept. 30. It will be available for viewing after the broadcasts on WNMU's website, via the PBS app, or on TV6's website.
Media contact: Mike Settles, 906-227-1310, msettles@nmu.edu