UPDATE: MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP - Curtis Hertel, Jr. received the majority of the votes and will be advancing to the general election in November. He will be running against Republican opponent, Craig Whithead.



ORIGINAL STORY: MERIDIAN TOWNSHIP -
The race for the candidates running for the 23rd District State Senate is approaching the finish line.

Curtis Hertel, Jr., Larry Hutchinson and Harold Leeman, Jr., are

HOMTV couldn’t get in touch with Hutchinson and Leeman declined participation in this story, but said he was actively campaigning.

He said he isn’t on social media sites, but he has done multiple interviews, parades and mailings.

“[That’s the] downside to my campaign. I don’t have all this modern things that younger people want to see,” said Harold Leeman, Jr.

Leeman isn’t the only one actively campaigning.

Day after day, door after door, and street after street: this has become the norm for candidate, Curtis Hertel, Jr.

“We started last year. You know, I think that people want to know you’re going to work hard when you get the job,” said Curtis Hertel, Jr.

Hertel has knocked on more 17,000 doors in the Senate district.

“We’re…out there working to make sure people know about the campaign, know what issues we care about, and that’s the most important thing that we’re doing,” said Hertel. “I think that the number one way that we can improve as a state is to invest in our future and in our kids.”

Along with education, Hertel is passionate about Michigan’s infrastructure and hopes to improve equality for women, the lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender communities as well as the younger generation.

“We have a huge lack of inequality in our state and we need to fix that if we’re going to be able to keep young, talented people and create those jobs,” said Hertel.

The Michigan State Senate consists of 38 elected members who enact new laws, amend and repeal existing ones.

Something Hertel says he’s used to.

“I’ve written legislation. I’ve written amendments. I’ve negotiated with both parties to get this done,” said Hertel. “My record has always been a fighter of people on getting things done and I think that my qualifications speak for themselves in that matter.”

Hertel said the most important part of his campaign is getting to know people on an individual level.

“I think we can do better as a state and that’s why I’m running for State Senate,” he said.

And as for his campaign, he says he will continue going door-to-door.

Good luck to all the candidates running for the 23rd district.