Who Will Be Our
Voice In Congress?
W
ith enormous challenges facing our nation and state and
with pundits and polls predicting the possibility that
Republicans will win control of the U.S. House from the
Democrats, the outcome of congressional races in Oakland County
may have greater national ramifications than usual.
To help you make this important decision the Jewish News, work-
ing with the Jewish Community Relations Council of Metropolitan
Detroit, asked both major party candidates in the 9th and 12th
congressional districts to share why they should be elected to the
112th Congress and to answer questions about their positions and
approaches.
The next congressmen will be looked upon to promote Michigan
interests as part of the national economic agenda and help guide our
nation through the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Congress is also the
bedrock of American political support for Israel.
"These are important races where the Jewish community can make
a real difference in the outcome says Robert Sklar, editor of the
Jewish News. "The composition of the next Congress, and the talents
of the individuals in it, will be critical as our nation works to put the
economy on solid footing and protect our national interests."
Allan Gale, associate director of the JCRC, underscores the impor-
tance of Congress and Israel: "With the peace process apparently
back on track, the rejectionists of llamas and Hezbollah with
Iranian backing and the Iranian nuclear threat itself pose seri-
ous challenges to the region. The need for a strong American role
remains critical."
9th Congressional District: Face To Face
GARY PETERS, Democrat, incumbent.
Age: 51.
Birth City: Pontiac.
City of Residence: Bloomfield Township.
Family: Wife, Colleen Ochoa Peters, and children Gary Jr.,
Madeleine and Alarm.
Religious Affiliation: Protestant.
Education: B.A. in Political Science, Alma College (1980);
M.B.A. in Finance, U-D Mercy (1984); J.D., WSU Law School
(1989); M.A. in Philosophy/Ethics of Development, MSU.
Career Highlights: U.S. Congressman, (2008-present);
Griffin Endowed Chair of American Government, Central
Michigan University; lieutenant commander, U.S. Navy
Reserve; adjunct professor of finance, Wayne State University; adjunct professor of
strategic management, Oakland University; securities arbitrator; vice president-
investments, UBS PaineWebber, (1989-2002); assistant vice president, Merrill Lynch,
(1980-89).
Website and phone number: www.PetersForCongress.com , (248) 629-9808.
The JN Questionnaire
JN: Why Should 9th District voters
select you to represent them in the next
United States Congress?
Peters: I have lived in Oakland County all
my life, but I worry that our way of life is
in jeopardy and, for the first time in our
history, our children may not have the
opportunity to live a better life than their
parents.
However, I am also extremely hopeful.
There are clear, concrete steps we must
14 October 21 • 2010
take to support our small businesses and
develop exciting new high-tech industries
here in Michigan.
I will continue my fight for policies that
will make Michigan the engine of growth
for our country. I have been, and will con-
tinue to be, supportive of and committed
to defend the Jewish State of Israel while
in Congress.
Raczkowski: As a member of the military
for 24 years, having served two tours of
duty in the War on Terror, as the son of
a concentration camp survivor and as a
ROCKY RACZKOWSKI, Republican, challenger.
Age: 41.
Birth City: Detroit.
City of Residence: Farmington Hills.
Family: Wife, Amalia Kaddo-Raczkowski.
Religious Affiliation: Catholic.
Education: B.A. in political science and psychology,
EMU (1990); M.A. in business and human resource
development, CMU (1996); J.D., MSU-Detroit College of
Law (1998).
Career Highlights: Chairman and CEO, Star Tickets
(2007-10); United States Army, enlisted and
commissioned service with combat tours (1986-2010);
U.S. Senate candidate (2002); Michigan state representative including majority
leader, (1997-2003).
Website and phone number: www.rockyworksforus.com, (248) 556-4400.
successful businessman, I am intimately
aware of the troubles facing our country
from both external and internal forces.
Since returning home from the war on
terror a year ago, I have watched in shock
as almost 60,000 Oakland County residents
have lost their jobs along with the exodus
of our greatest resource — our children.
I pledge to help reclaim our govern-
ment from the tax and spend politicians
in Washington who have jeopardized our
future generations from being able to
secure the American dream. Its time to
make Washington work to support the
aspirations of the American people instead
of the American people working to support
Washington — and keep America safe.
T: What do you think of President
Obama's handling of the economy?
What has he done right and what has
he done wrong?
Raczkowski: President Obama, House
Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Gary Peters are
destroying the American economy and
unless they are stopped, the damage done
to jobs, businesses, individuals and fami-