Dan Scripps of Northport, the lone Democratic candidate for state representative in the 101st District, formally launched his campaign this week.

DAN SCRIPPS of Northport
officially launched his state
House campaign this week.

Scripps planned stops in each of the four counties comprising the 101st District – Benzie, Leelanau, Mason and Manistee. He is seeking the seat currently held by David Palsrok (R-Manistee), who is term limited.

In Leelanau County in 2006, Scripps beat Palsrok 5,932 to 5,885, but the incumbent narrowly won the election in the district-wide vote. An attorney with a background in environmental law, Scripps has recently been working part-time for the Leelanau Conservancy.

On Monday, Scripps toured Benzie County. On Tuesday, he toured Leelanau County, beginning with a visit to the computer marketing firm OneUpWeb in Elmwood Township, followed by lunch with farmers Jim and Janeen Bardenhagen, a visit with superintendent Dusty Shultz of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, a visit with the Leelanau Independent Womnen for Democratic Action at the Leelanau School in Glen Arbor Township, and an evening “Leelanau Kickoff Celebration” at Black Star Farms in Bingham Township.

On Wednesday and Thursday this week, Scripps was slated to visit a number of locations in Mason and Manistee Counties.

Scripps said his campaign tour would focus on “jobs, schools and the great outdoors.” In a prepared statement he said that “In these difficult times, it is important to highlight the comparative advantages that make Northwest Michigan so special and can help us turn our state around. This will be the beginning of an exciting fight towards November 4th.”

Scripps noted that the newsletter Inside Michigan Politics lists the 101st District as a “toss up.” In addition, the district includes one of the “Top Ten State House Seats to Watch,” according to the Michigan Information and Research Service.

Four Republicans have tossed their hats into the ring for their party’s nomination for the 101st District state House seat in the Aug. 5 Primary Election, including one from Leelanau County. Lake Leelanau resident Michael McManus, a fourth-generation cherry farmer and retired teacher and the father of state Sen. Michelle McManus (R-Lake Leelanau), formally announced his plans to run in the Primary last month. The GOP winner of the Primary is expected to face Scripps in the Nov. 4 General Election. The other three Republican candidates include:

• Janice McCraner of Arcadia,

• Gregory V. Ferguson of Manistee.

• Ray Franz of Onekama.

More information about Scripps and his candidacy can be found online at danscripps.com.