Editor’s Note: Andrew George is a former Watershed Voice employee and Main Street Media Group board member

Name: Andrew George

Age: 31

Address: 20 N. Main St #1, Three Rivers, MI 49093

Occupation: Campaign and Outreach Consultant

Incumbent: No

Family (optional): Michael and Cindy King, Step-father and mother, nine brothers and sisters.

How long have you resided in the area you seek to represent? 

22 years

Why are you seeking the position of County Commissioner? 

Real change occurs on all levels of government. I believe that my experience as chairman the Three Rivers Downtown Development Authority (TRDDA), combined with my commitment to our most vulnerable communities, has led me to this campaign.

What is the role of a County Commissioner, and why are you uniquely qualified to fill that role? 

A county commissioner is tasked with balancing the budget, prioritizing where our resources are allocated, and has a big role in how St. Joseph County is governed. As chairman of TRDDA’s Economic Vitality Committee, I have gained a lot of experience in bringing business back to Three Rivers. I’d like to bring similar progress to the entire county.

Are you familiar with the poverty rate in the district where you are running for office? 

Yes, one of the first things I addressed in November 2019, shortly after announcing my candidacy, was our poverty and incarceration rates in St. Joseph County.

Why do you think people are poor? 

I believe that there are many reasons people are poor, right now. I also believe that this is heavily influenced on a national level by the greed of CEOs and large corporations. Wealth inequality is at levels, nationally, previously unheard of. We need to give our workers and our unions a voice and leverage. I also believe that the reason our median income level is 13 percent below the state average is partly due to our above average incarceration levels. St. Joseph County has an incarceration rate that towers over the rest of Michigan at 174 percent of the statewide average.

What does the County Commissioner do right, and how do you intend to maintain or expand this? 

Currently, the commission has been supportive of crucial business retention programs, such as the TRDDA. I’d like to expand our business retention and recruiting habits. Which will subsequently bring jobs.

What could the County Commissioner do better, and how do you intend to facilitate this happening? 

I believe that our county commission and other local government officials have failed our lower income communities. I would like to prioritize those communities and not only ensure that new developments within St. Joseph County won’t deteriorate the quality of life for those citizens, but that new developments directly benefit those communities.

What is your position on the Black Lives Matter Movement? 

Black Lives Matter is such a crucial movement. One that has been a long time coming. A seemingly simple statement has somehow divided our nation, friends, and family. 

The best way I can sum up BLM is this- the Declaration of Independence states, “We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal.” During the Pledge of Allegiance we recite, “With liberty and justice for all.” At the time these were written, in both cases, “all” literally didn’t include Black people. I feel we are still struggling with that definition, today. We aren’t saying “only Black lives matter,” we are saying “Black lives matter, too!”

What do you think are the central issues behind the Black Lives Matter Movement? 

The Black Lives Matter Movement includes speaking out against police violence and racial violence against Black Americans, but it means so much more than that. It’s about ending redlining. It’s about fighting for equal access to healthcare, education, and other basic necessities required to live a decent life. It’s about ending systemic racism. 

What is your position on police reform? 

Accountability is everything. Nationwide, there has been an alarming amount of police killings, recently. Many of which involved people of color. A few months ago, I began the process of drawing up a police reform resolution. This resolution aims to encourage our local police and sheriff’s departments to adopt eight policies proven to reduce police violence. These policies include a ban on chokeholds, better reporting and many other obtainable goals.

What is your take on the U.S. response to the COVID-19 pandemic?

With these matters, we have to look at the facts. The U.S. Government’s response to this pandemic has prolonged the virus’s domination, caused a devastating level of skepticism in our citizens, a shortage of crucial resources and supplies, and induced a major influx in cases.

What is your take on the COVID-19 response in your district?

St. Joseph County has struggled with an incline in cases for a while now. Our community leaders must do their best to encourage basic safe practices by our community. We need to look to those communities who have this pandemic under control. I know, no one likes it, but we have to wear our masks and social distance. We can beat this, but we have to be proactive.

Do you support increased pandemic testing and tracing measures? 

This is a firm “yes” from me. Increased testing and tracing allow us to pinpoint hotspots and take proactive measures in order to prevent the spread.

What will be your response to the climbing rate of jobless claims? 

We need to do our best to offer services and support to those who have become unemployed due to COVID-19. Also, we need to help our local businesses. They have been most affected by this pandemic and the county commission needs to explore ways to help these businesses stay afloat with grants, loans, and services. In turn, we can save jobs in St. Joseph County.

What do you think are your prospective constituents’ biggest everyday challenges?

Making ends meet, adequate transportation, and finding employment, amongst many others.

What measures will you work to put in place to address those challenges?

I would like to increase funding to public transportation to get people to and from work and to interviews. I would also like to establish a county-wide community benefits policy. This will ensure that new developments that are supported by the St. Joseph County Commission will be required to hire local and union laborers. We need to put people back to work and with a living wage.

With public revenues already significantly impacted by COVID-19 and the economy, how will you address cashflow problems for the public bodies in your district and under your watch?

We need to stay alert and proactive in regards to federal and state funding opportunities. We need to change our priorities. Spending must be strategic and geared towards keeping businesses afloat and keeping people paid.

What is your favorite thing about the district in which you are running?

I love downtown Three Rivers, albeit a tad biased. I enjoy the three beautiful rivers that flow right through the heart of downtown and how I can take a quick 10-minute drive to Clear Lake and go for a swim! I’m also so grateful to have met so many incredible people either through my roles with the city, passing each other around town, or even those I may have served at the grocery store.

What else would you like us to know about you?

I’m just a regular guy. I graduated from Three Rivers High School in 2006 and started working in kitchens or whatever job I could take just to keep the bills paid. As commissioner, I want to represent you. I want to represent the working class. I will fight for your seat at the table and I will fight relentlessly to ensure that all of St. Joseph County citizens get a fair shake, regardless of skin color, sexual orientation, or any other factors. We are all in this together. Donate at www.VoteAndrewGeorge.com.