Jean Dahm For State Representative

Article Published in the Monroe Evening News Article Published in the Monroe Evening News - July 21, 2008
Article Published in the Monroe Evening News - July 21, 2008
Article Published in the Monroe Evening News - July 21, 2008 Article Published in the Monroe Evening News - January 31, 2008<
	Republican Jean Dahm has filed her intent to run as a Republican against incumbent Kate Ebli, D-Monroe, for the 56th District state representative office. Ms Dahm lost in the 2006 primary against John Manor, who now works for state Sen. Randy Richardville, R-Monroe. The race in the 56th District is being looked at as a key election for the state in terms of which party will have control of the House next term. The Lansing based Michigan Information and Research Service (MIRS) this month, in fact, rated Rep. Ebli as one of the "most vulnerable" legislators in the state. This information was published in the organization's April 3 edition. Kyle Melinn, editor of the subscription-based publication (www.mirsnews.com), said Friday the rankings were based on talks with people in Lansing, history of the seat, makeup of the district, whether the legislator was a freshman and the particular lawmaker in question. "That doesn't mean I think Kate is going to lose," he said. "It's way premature to say that. She's in a vulnerable district." Mr. Melinn also came out with rankings as to which Republican seats the party could lose to Democrats. He said that Rep. Ebli's ranking of No. 4 was "completely unscientific" but said the 56th District was under strict watch by those in Lansing. "It's always one of the seats Lansing watches," he said. "It's a 50-50 split. Monroe County and Jackson County are renowned for ticket-splitting. Lansing watches that district with significant interest." The August primary election will be Aug. 5 and the general election Nov. 4. Issues also are starting to pile on to the Aug. 5 ballot. Bedford Township (Lake Erie Transit, fire protection and parks), Erie Township (fire protection and parks), Summerfield Township (fire millage) and Dundee Township (roads all have issues that voters will decide Aug. 5. More issues from other townships would have to join the list by May 13. The Evening News will run a complete list of those filing for office May 14. To view other election-related stories, visit www.monroenews.com.

Article Published in the Monroe Evening News - January 31, 2008

Jean Dahm again seeks 56th
District state seat
By: Stephanie Ariganello (Monroe Evening News )

The fire that was lit in Jean Dahm's belly years ago has yet to be put out.

Mrs. Dahm of Monroe said she still feels that she belongs in Lansing, representing the county in the House of Representatives District 56.

Mrs. Dahm made a bid for the same seat in 2006 and ran against fellow Republican John Manor in the primary election. In the general election, state Rep. Kate Ebli, D-Monroe, defeated Mr. Manor for the seat. Mrs. Dahm said she's wiser and more experienced this time around.

"I'm looking forward to the process," she said. "It was definitely a learning experience and now I kind of know what to expect."

Mrs. Dahm said it was an easy decision to run again.

"I've maintained my relationships with the community," she said. "There are still things that we need to do. We have something so wonderful here in Monroe. People don't realize that it's a warmth you don't really find anywhere else. Here, if it affects one person, it affects all people. We need to protect that way of life."

With her background in nursing and, more recently, in computer science, Mrs. Dahm said she has an understanding of some of the issues facing Michigan from dual perspectives. She said she's been on the inside as well as the outside.

Health care and health insurance reform remain things she is passionate about.

New technology, she said, is one way to help Michigan bounce back.

"You have to look at what skill set the people of an area have, and you have to consider what kind of business would need those skills," she said. "So, something like the robotics firm I've been in contact with would be a perfect match."

One of the main issues Mrs. Dahm would like to tackle as a legislator, if elected, would be to consider a part-time Legislature.

"Since I last ran, I have been keeping up with how different states operate," she said. "I went to Georgia - Atlanta - to observe their legislature. They pass more legislation and do more in three months than our legislators do all year. And because it's part time, they save millions."

Mrs. Dahm said because lawmakers have daily lives, jobs and spend more time in the community, she felt they were more in touch with the electorate.

Mrs. Dahm said she also believes strongly that legislators are too highly paid, with immediate benefits - something not all states have.

"I would take $20,000 from the salary and pay it back into the community," she said. "I have a list of nonprofits and organizations I would like to give it to."

As far as what voters are looking for, Mrs.Dahm said she's heard two things repeatedly.

"They would like someone with honesty and somebody who is not bought and paid for. That's what I can provide."

Fellow Republican Bob Beadles announced he would be running for the position earlier this year. They, along with anyone else who files in the Republican race, will face each other in the state's August primary.

The 56th District includes the majority of Monroe County, including Ash, Berlin, Exeter, Frenchtown, Ida, LaSalle, London, Monroe and Raisinville townships, as well as the cities of Monroe and Luna Pier.

The 2008 state primary is currently set for Aug. 5 with the general election on Nov. 4. Filing deadlines for candidates with party affiliations seeking a state representative office is 4 p.m. May 13.

Article Published in the Monroe Evening News - March 30, 2006

Jean Dahm says she's
motivated by life experience
By: Stephanie Ariganello (Monroe Evening News ) story updated march

Jean Dahm, a Monroe resident for 21 years, has a fire in her belly.

"When the party representatives came to meet me they said that I had a fire in my belly, and
that would make me a good candidate," said Mrs. Dahm.

"I told them it was a forest fire."

That smoldering is what motivated Mrs. Dahm to run for political office. She recently announced her candidacy for the 56th District seat in the Michigan House of Representatives.

"I'm a Republican, but I believe in compromise," said Mrs. Dahm. "We have no time to argue amongst ourselves."

She said she has been a Republican her entire life and, after raising three sons with her husband, Kevin, family values are at the core of her beliefs. Mrs. Dahm said it is her background in nursing and now as a small business owner and manager that has tempered her well for a position within the state House.

"I think that there is a disconnect between the people and Lansing," she said. "I think sometimes they treat issues by the numbers and not by the people."

In her 10 years as a nurse, Mrs. Dahm said she faced the daily challenge of providing high levels of service in a system of dwindling money and resources.

"I'm well aware of the healthcare issues that face people, as well as the state," she said. "Insurance premiums are rising and the hospital is not seeing it. There are also situations where seniors are faced with placing a spouse in a nursing home. If they place their spouse, they have up to $200 a day to cover the costs. If they decide to keep their spouse at home and try to administer care, they receive a fraction of that and that's not right."

She currently works as business developer for Computer Works of Monroe, a company owned by two of her sons. She is the proprietor and operator of Dahm Enterprises, a separate entity that owns the building Computer Works operates out of.

"I'm mixed on the small business tax," she said. "As a business owner, I'm well aware of the problems with it. But, until we know what tax or what bill will take its place, the proposed bill to do away with it is fiscally irresponsible. What will the next tax be?"

Mrs. Dahm said she has many issues she would like to work on at the state level, focusing on job development, insurance and bringing business into Monroe.

"I think Jean is a very qualified person," said Robert Taylor, chairman of the Monroe County Republican Party. "She seems very mature and responsible. She has some really nice ideas on what to do if elected - one of which she discussed with me was insurance reform. She had great enthusiasm for the changes she wants to make."

It was insurance that led her into the political race. In July she was informed that the monthly insurance premiums for Computer Works would increase 93.2 percent over the previous month's rate, with no claims. She thought the number was ridiculously high and protested the raise. She was told by representatives that she must be reading the numbers incorrectly. She wasn't.

"I eventually found that the increase was based on legislation at the state level," she said. "I think sometimes our legislators are putting out bills and making laws and they don't realize how it can get manipulated by special interest groups for their benefit."

She said working for Computer Works puts her on the leading edge of technology, one of the main issues surfacing in Michigan.

"As a technology business we interact with state-level programs frequently," said Mrs. Dahm. "We do work with Michigan Works, The state department of labor and economic growth, rehabilitation services, training and hiring people with special needs."

Trash from out-of-state sources and environmental issues are also subjects Mrs. Dahm would like to center on.

Mrs. Dahm will host a launch party for her campaign at 7 p.m. Friday, April 7 at Panera Bread on N. Telegraph Rd. in Monroe.