HOUGHTON — The challenger in the Michigan Senate race for the 38th district met with the public at the Portage Lake District Library on Saturday morning.

John Braamse of Marquette is running as the Democratic candidate against incumbent Sen. Ed McBroom, R-Waucedah Township.

He described himself as a “pro-union, pro-choice Democrat.” Braamse has been active in the Marquette County Democratic Party and has been involved in prepping past Democratic candidates. After no candidates stepped forward to run against McBroom, Braamse was asked if he’d be interested.

“I’ve been in the military, I have kids here and I’d like to see a better future for them,” he said. “If someone else isn’t going to do it, who’s going to do it? I decided, why not me?”

Braamse spent 25 years in the military, including working at the Pentagon and abroad at U.S. embassies in Africa and Bulgaria. He started as a clerk and in human resources before transitioning to military intelligence.

“We were called on to do a lot of things outside our normal speciality, whether it’s budgeting, meet-and-greet a VIP or being in a foxhole literally with an M-16,” he said. “Or maintenance on a car. You had to do it all.”

For the past seven years, he’s worked in Marquette Area Schools as a special education aide, particularly assisting children dealing with issues such as autism and cerebral palsy. Most of those years have come at the elementary school level.

“There’s a big shortage in public education in general, not just in our region,” he said. “One of the things I was trying to promote if elected was to get better pay for a lot of the people who work in public education.”

Braamse said right-to-work legislation passed during Rick Snyder’s administration had exerted downward pressure on wages, which haven’t kept up with inflation.

“New aides are starting at $11.50 an hour, which is $3 less than you can make flipping burgers… if we don’t invest in public education, you’re not going to have a reliable workforce,” he said.

He said he’s also had to pitch in at the schools, whether serving as a crossing guard or working as a janitor.

Braamse said he also opposes using public funds for voucher programs, or to fund private or charter schools.

“Personally, I think that’s a line drawn — public money for public schools,” he said.

Braamse said he would also look at ways for the state to pick up the free lunch program. The federal government had instituted free lunch, since halted, at the start of the pandemic.

Braamse said another priority would be improving infrastructure, such as broadband, roads and water and sewer infrastructure for cities. His first choice would be using money from the state’s budget surplus; if additional funds are needed, he would look at raising taxes on the highest-income earners.

Braamse said the state should also expand Medicaid to ensure everyone at least have access to basic preventative care. He said he would support an additional tax on tobacco products to help fund the costs of expanding service.

“I think preventative care is more efficient, because it can prevent problems sooner instead of waiting until they fester into something more serious, which in turn can help the economy,” he said.

He said he would also try to encourage the development of renewable energy.

“We can build solar panels on existing buildings without much impact,” he said. “It’d not only help the environment, but you’d have more stability with the price fluctuations.”