STATE HOUSE / DISTRICT 20 / REPUBLICAN

HERMON BARBE

Hermon Barbe of West Bloomfield has a BA in arts,organizational communications from Western Michigan University. He is self-employed as an investor and real estate sales. Barbe is involved with Stand up Michigan, Trail Life USA and the local political club.

Government transparency

Michigan is one of only two states where the state legislature and administration are not subject to Freedom of Information Act requests. Although Governor Whitmer has promised in 2018 to extend the FOIA to cover her office and the legislature and the senate passed legislation in 2025, the House has still left these bills in the House Government Operations Committee with no movement. Do you support extending the Freedom of Information Act to cover the legislative and administrative branches of state government?

Yes, I fully support extending the Freedom of Information Act to cover the legislative and administrative branches of our state government. Michigan needs more transparency from our elected officials, not less transparency.

Data Center Farms

Large scale data centers have become an important issue in Michigan. Should the state be providing incentives to attractive large scale data centers? What regulations should be enacted to protect residents from possible increased electric rates and impact on water sources in the state? Lastly, there have been concerns that the state could intervene in the local approval process along the lines of what has been done on alternative energy projects in the state. Would you support the state taking more control of the local approval process?

When and if there is a substantial benefit to the people (i.e. job creation, reduction in infrastructure + energy costs, etc.) the state could consider providing incentives for companies to bring business to Michigan. However, I do believe that ultimately the approval process is at the local level. The state should not take more control of the local approval process. The final decision for any large-scale data center. To protect residents, any data center should pay for infrastructure upgrades to help prevent local energy rate hikes and use closed-loop cooling systems.

Economic incentive policy

There has been ongoing debate in both parties in Lansing about past and current administrations’ economic development policies for attracting new business to the state. What is your position on current economic development efforts?

Sadly, since the pandemic Michigan has ranked 45th among the 50 states for job growth. The current economic development efforts tend to hurt small business growth, and do not provide an environment conducive to new jobs or thriving new businesses. If Michigan is to be an economic powerhouse again, we must eliminate payroll taxes on small businesses and reduce income tax & property tax. People and businesses need good reasons to come to Michigan, and make it make financial sense. Good paying jobs pay the best when government taxes get out of the way. Ultimately, government does not create jobs; rather it should help create an economic environment in the state, for businesses to grow.

New taxes to offset Medicaid cuts

Michigan is facing major cuts to federal funds for Medicaid, thanks to the 2025 adoption of President Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill. To counteract these cuts, Governor Whitmer had proposed increased taxes on tobacco and vape products and new taxes on digital advertising, which were ignored by legislators in recent budget sessions. Would you support similar tax proposals in the future? Why or why not?

No, I am generally not a fan of increasing taxes or adding new taxes upon the people. An excellent and viable solution to offset Medicaid cuts should start with a Michigan Efficiency Government Audit (aka “MEGA” audit). As other 2026 candidates have proposed, a MEGA AUDIT will easily identify waste, inefficiency, and uncover government fraud to help fund any major cuts. The people of Michigan should not suffer at the hand of waste, fraud, and abuse found inside the Lansing swamp. Example: The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) has a massive new scandal from a former executive committee member, who was recently charged with 16 felony counts, tied to a $20 million grant. Let’s follow the money, find the fraud, and not tax the people!

Financial disclosure

Voters approved financial disclosure for all state office holders and candidates. Are you satisfied with the regulations developed by lawmakers or are there changes you think need to be made? Explain.

Yes, I am satisfied with the regulations and approved financial disclosure for all state office holders and candidates. It is important for the voters to have transparency and communication from their elected officials, while still providing a certain degree of personal privacy to the candidates and state office holders.

Validity of voting returns

Did you accept the returns of the presidential election in 2020? Yes or no.

No, I do not accept the returns of the 2020 presidential election. After five years of evidence gathering by investigators, grassroots organizations, and new whistleblowers coming forth, it is clear to me that the 2020 presidential election was absolutely stolen. How can I say that with confidence? Well, I personally worked as a volunteer poll watcher in 2020, and again in 2022. I saw a good portion of the Detroit election fraud with my own eyes. The truth eventually comes out, and nothing can stop what is coming. Michigan did not have safe and secure elections, and we the people must have measures and protocols in place to audit the vote. Every precinct gets an audit, every time. No exceptions, no excuses.

Top three-five issues

What are the top three-five issues you want to address if you are ultimately elected?

Michigan’s state government is in immediate need of a massive financial audit. The bloated budget must be deflated, and ultimately the cash-flow returned to the people in the form of massive tax reductions. The (MEGA) audit comes first; the tax cuts immediately follow via income tax cuts for individuals and families. I would love to see property tax exemption and/or tax elimination for our senior citizens’ primary residences. For our seniors on fixed or reduced income, they will have the most to gain from property tax elimination.The Michigan government needs to work on creating an economic environment in which small businesses can thrive. Eliminating the payroll tax on small businesses will help attract people & business back to Michigan again.

Why vote for you

Why should a primary voter select you over another candidate?

After 20+ years working in the private sector as a financial professional and solution consultant, I feel my talents and my life experience are now best suited to serve in Lansing. I am a husband, father, homeowner, and proud Michigander my whole life. The values of truth, justice, and righteousness are dear to my heart. I love communication and transparency, and we need more of that from our state officials. My life is based on faith, family, and freedom. I remind myself that freedom consists not in just doing whatever we like, but in having the right to do what we ought. If a primary voter wants a representative who holds to truth, logic, and common sense then they should vote for me in the primary. Learn more at Hermon2026.com.