Leslie Getz
Democrat | Michigan
Candidate Profile
Leans Liberal
BIOGRAPHY
EDUCATION
Eastern Michigan University, Ypsilanti, MI, B.S. Special Education - Cognitively Impaired, M.A. Special Education - Learning Disabilities, 1974-1982
Various Universities, additional 30 + hours of continuing education, 1982-2005
WORK & MILITARY
Mayville Community Schools, Special Education Teacher, 1979-1985
LakeVille Community Schools, Special Education Teachers, General Music Teacher, 1985-2005
Teachers Pet Resources, LLC, Tutor
AFFILIATIONS
Oxford Jaycees, Member, Vice President and President, Project Chair
Genesee Wind Symphony, Musician, Board President, Music Librarian, 1983-2026
North Oakland Concert Band, Musician, Section Leader
Genesee Valley Concert Band, Musician
Oxford United Methodist Church, Member, Administrative Board, Adult Coordinator, Family Committee
Michigan Education Association, Member, Grievance Chair, Contract Negotiator, Building Representative, President, Delegate to the statewide Representative Assembly, 1979-2026
Kiwanis of Lapeer, Member, 2024-2026
Michigan Association of Retired School Personnel, Member, 2025-2026
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
None
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Mayfield Township Treasurer, 2024-
Michigan House of Representatives District 67, 2026-
ENDORSEMENTS
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (1)
Michigan Education Association
SELECTED CONTRIBUTIONS
LIBERAL
GIVEN BY CANDIDATE (5)
State Democratic Party Organizations (2026)
Joe Biden (2024)
Gretchen Whitmer (2020)
Debbie Stabenow (2018)
National Education Association (national, state & local affiliates) (2018)
RECEIVED BY CANDIDATE (0)
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Disagree
Planned Parenthood provides many other health care services that promote women's health. They often serve women in areas where the services are not available through other means. That preventative health care should be eligible to receive funding.
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
I believe that there are circumstances when either the mother's health is in serious jeopardy and/or the fetus is shown to be non-viable.
Human life deserves legal protection from conception until natural death.
Agree
I would qualify my answer to say that the fetus begins to be a separate life when he/she is sufficiently developed. In addition, the given statement would also be interpreted to call into question the practice of assisted suicide.
The lives of human embryos created through artificial methods ought to be protected from purposeful destruction.
Strongly Agree
The Comstock Act, which bans interstate transportation of abortion-inducing drugs, should be enforced.
Agree
All laws should be enforced or changed.
ECONOMY
What is your position on the minimum wage?
Too many people are struggling to meet their needs, often working 2 or 3 jobs to make ends meet. The minimum wage should provide a livable income.
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
List your top 3-5 priorities to eliminate government waste.
Oversee expenditures by government officials to ensure tax dollars aren't spent for personal use. Eliminate redundancies in duties. Restructure the bidding process for contractors and provide more oversight and correction when jobs are not done properly.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
What does "separation of church and state" mean to you?
Government officials need to allow for the expression of religious beliefs by people of all faiths. Government officials should not demand citizens conform to their particular religious beliefs. No laws can be enacted which require specific religious beliefs.
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Neutral
HEALTHCARE
What most closely matches your view on healthcare: A) Healthcare for all should be guaranteed and funded by the government with no private healthcare option. (includes "universal healthcare," "medicare for all," etc.) B) Healthcare insurance funded by the government should be available for all who want it, along with private healthcare options. C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary. D) Taxpayer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be defunded.
A. Option B would create an inequity in health care. It is better for the workforce and better for society, in general, when its citizens are given preventative and routine care. Health costs are also reduced when people receive routine care instead of waiting until an emergency happens.
The government should keep a database of people with various ongoing medical illnesses to assess the economic burden of treatment.
Strongly Disagree
NATIONAL SECURITY
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Strongly Agree
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
I don't believe that the relationship is so important that we can support the killing that is happening.
IMMIGRATION
I support the existence of sanctuary cities to protect undocumented persons.
Neutral
Laws should be followed. However, local police have specific responsibilities and should not be expected to spend all of their time on border/immigration enforcement. We have specific agents whose duty this is. Law enforcement at any level should not interfere with the enforcement of our laws.
EDUCATION
I support eliminating the U.S. Department of Education and giving control back to states and communities.
Disagree
I believe that education is a state responsibility. However, as a special education teacher, I know that certain civil rights protections are enforced at the federal level.
Foreign governments should be prohibited from funding American education.
Neutral
I am unaware of this issue. This is something I will need to research.
VALUES
Government should recognize and support the fundamental right and essential duty of parents to direct their child's health and educational well-being.
Disagree
There are situations where the government must step in to prevent abuse that unfortunately does occur. Obviously, parents have the fundamental right to raise their children and instill in them the family's morals and values. However, education goes beyond that scope and is a societal responsibility.
Attempts to physically or socially transition a child to the opposite sex constitute child abuse.
Choose not to answer
I do not understand the question.
Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.
Neutral
I believe that there is a difference between a marriage performed in a church versus a civil ceremony or legal union.
I support the expansion of gambling in my state.
Strongly Disagree
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
I am a Christian and fairly conservative in my morals and behavior. I continually seek guidance and direction for my life. However, I do not feel called to sit in judgement of others. That is reserved for our Lord and Savior.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Agree
There are citizens who do not have the funds to pay for a photo ID. There is a provision in our voter laws which allows for the signing of an affidavit. Our laws need to be followed.
EQUALITY
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Neutral
Biological males should not be allowed to participate in women's sports or occupy biological women's spaces whether it be bathrooms, locker rooms, sorority houses, women's shelters, or prison.
Neutral
Are we talking about biology or physical body parts? I am not a medical expert but I believe that there are some cases where biology and physical parts are not aligned. That being said, why don't we have individual restrooms that are unisex like they do in other countries? Personally I am a conservative person and sharing a space with others of the same sex is sometimes uncomfortable, like showers and locker rooms. I would never put children into a potentially abusive situation.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Man-made climate change is a global threat and requires urgent political action.
Strongly Agree
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
I believe that we need to continue to innovate to provide the most efficient electricity. It seems to me that at this time we need a variety of sources in order for our supply of electricity to be reliable.
ABOUT YOU
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and religious liberty, which of the following best describes you overall?
Moderate
I hold a variety of views on a variety of issues. I do not believe that people agree 100% on every issue. I generally have the ability to see both sides and I work with others to come up with solutions that will benefit everyone. I have training in consensus building, which produces a much better outcome that a straight yes or no vote.
Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.
No.
Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.
No.
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
What should be the goal of the criminal justice system?
I believe that there are at least two separate goals. To me, there are some crimes for which the perpetrator will probably never be rehabilitated. But then there are many convicted criminals who can be rehabilitated and will reenter society. I think that our criminal justice system can do a better job of supporting people through this process, including providing more oversight and services when they are released so that they don't become repeat offenders.
Government has a responsibility to protect children from sexual exploitation during online activities.
Strongly Agree
Sharia law should not be accepted or incorporated in any form within the legal framework of the United States.
Strongly Agree
Sharia law is a religious code of conduct and consequence. It has no place in our legal framework.
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
I have no objection to the registration of firearms. I have mixed feelings about the "red flag" laws. There have certainly been times when people have made it known that they are in crisis and probably should not have had access to weapons. However, I can see this being abused as well, with people false reporting. I have difficulty understanding why people would need to own military style fully automatic weapons.
