Alek Haak-Frost Local, News

Sturgis mayor announces candidacy for Michigan House seat

Sturgis vice mayor Aaron Miller and mayor Frank Perez shake hands and offer words to each other following the annual organizational meeting in November 2023. During the meeting, Perez was appointed by his peers in a 6-3 vote to preside as city mayor for the next year. (Photo by Dan Cherry for Watershed Voice)

Sturgis Mayor Frank Perez has announced he will challenge Rep. Steve Carra (R-Three Rivers) for the 36th District seat in the Michigan House of Representatives.

Perez, who was appointed to the position by his fellow Sturgis City Commissioners in November, says he’s decided to run after discussions with family and friends over the past three months.

“Just like the Mayor seat, I never thought of running or seeking the State Rep seat,” Perez wrote in an email to local press Wednesday. “That said, I’ve never been one to turn down an opportunity and I am blessed to have many folks believe in me. I will never consider myself a politician, rather just a simple mining individual who believes in making my City and now Cass and St. Joseph County a better place to live, rase a family and work.”

Perez, fellow challenger Michael Malmborg, and Carra will face off in the Republican state primary in August. Erin Schultes is currently running unopposed on the Democratic side.

Alek Haak-Frost is executive editor and publisher of Watershed Voice.