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Posted on Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 1:41 a.m.

Republican Rick Olson declares victory in 55th District state House race

By Ryan J. Stanton

Another Democratic House seat will go to the Republicans.

York Township Republican Rick Olson has declared victory in the 55th District state House race, defeating Democratic opponent Mike Smith.

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Rick Olson

Olson, a semi-retired business manager and attorney with extensive agricultural business background, replaces outgoing state Rep. Kathy Angerer, D-Dundee.

Olson declared victory as he was surrounded by cheering supporters at the Washtenaw County Republican Party's campaign office on South State Street in Ann Arbor.

"My projections today were that I would end up with 56 percent of the vote and so it looks like I'm in that direction, so obviously that feels good," Olson said. "After 14 months of solid work, that's the result we wanted to get."

Olson beat Smith 7,605 to 7,397 in Washtenaw County. Olson fared better in Monroe County, where he beat Smith 9,690 to 7,984.

Olson said he looks forward to working with the Republican-controlled Legislature and new Republican Gov. Rick Snyder, a businessman from Ann Arbor.

"I feel very comfortable with Rick," he said. "He's a good leader, and he's obviously got good experience. You know, creating jobs has been his background and that's what we need."

How successful Snyder will be, Olson said, will depend on what kind of people he brings around him in his inner circle. He's hoping Snyder brings in people with prior legislative experience because working with the Legislature is "significantly different than being a CEO of a company and telling people what to do."

"No one in the Legislature will report to him. We all report to people in the district," Olson said.

Olson, 60, has a background in politics in the state of Washington, where he was an attorney for the state Legislature for three years.

"I worked with the Legislature for three years and the governor's office for a year, so I've got to take that experience and hit the ground running in Lansing," he said. "That's been my mantra throughout this campaign, and I think the big edge I've got over most candidates."

Olson said the budget challenges that lie ahead are daunting.

"Beginning in January, we're going to have a challenge facing a $1.6 billion deficit just to start with, so balancing the budget's going to be a challenge," he said. "We're looking forward to working with Governor Snyder and working as a team to solve that problem, as well as things we can do to improve the business climate to bring jobs. Those are our priorities."

Olson said that will take spending cuts. He said the first place he'll look for cuts is the statewide health insurance pool for state employees and school district employees.

"That's projected to save somewhere between $500 (million) and $900 million per year, so that's money you don't find in the cushions of your sofa at home," he said. "That's big dollars, and we've got to go after those because there's no other real big numbers."

Olson also thinks cuts can be found in corrections. The state of Michigan currently spends more money on prisons than it does on higher education.

Above all, Olson said, the No. 1 job is improving the business climate.

"Government doesn't create jobs and so all you can really do is improve the business climate," he said. "And the first step on that is reducing the Michigan Business Tax. Now. But if you totally eliminated the Michigan Business Tax, that's $1.8 billion, so you're talking about a $3.4 billion hole now you're trying to fill. So that's a lot easier said than done. So it's going to take a lot of work together trying to figure it all out when we get there."

Ryan J. Stanton covers government and politics for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529.

Comments

dennisd49

Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 10:06 a.m.

What is it that you want Rick? Republicans don't seem to want anyone to have health insurance....Why not drive all the very qualified and very good teachers out of the State. As far as State Worker's, why don't you take an example from Wal-Mart and give them no health insurance unless they pay for it and replace them every few months so you don't have to increase their pay. And as to getting rid of the "business tax" so job's can be created. Are these the same Businessmen that have made decisions based on their bonus and income rather than what is better for the Country and State? How much profit is enough for them. How about working on a Manufacturing Policy for the State and push one for the Nation. It is and was manufacturing that made this State not the service industry. You seem to be cut from the same Republican Mold as Engler was and only look to "FIX" things on the backs of middle-class workers. Instead of the old anti-worker statements reach out and include labor on your staff. Maybe then you can see what the problem really is. Higher wage jobs may reduce the bottom line for Companies but they but more money into the State, County, Community than the $7.40 an hour jobs.

Sandra

Wed, Nov 3, 2010 : 9:01 a.m.

Rick, This is wonderful news for the 55th district and for the state of MI! I have been so impressed with your work ethic! Congrats! Congrats! Congrats! Thank you for inviting me to be apart of your campaign. I look forward to working with you again.