With the primary behind us, it’s now time to focus our attention squarely on the choice facing local voters this November, and to highlight this choice I’m kicking off a three-day, 114.5 mile tour of the entitety of M-22 that starts this morning at 9 am. We’re calling it the “Cycle for Change,” and I think cycling one of the world’s best highways as it runs along the shore of Manistee, Benzie, and Leelanau Counties is the perfect way to make the case that we need someone who represents local people and all that makes this district unique – and not just more of the same from Lansing.

Much of what makes the 101st District so special is captured in M-22, which runs through – and only through – three of the four district’s four counties (plus about a mile along Grandview Parkway in Traverse City). Built in 1922, M-22 is one of only four Michigan highways to have been designated as a Scenic Heritage Route in recognition of its outstanding natural beauty.

Along the way, I’ll be stopping at the Manistee Fairgrounds in Onekama, home of the Michigan Energy Fair, to highlight renewable energy opportunities; a stop at the scenic turnoff at the Manistee-Benzie county line (north of which my opponent failed to raise a singe dime in the first seven months of this year); a visit to Fishtown in Leland to make the case for local tourism; and a stop at the Leelanau Sands Casino in Peshawbestown. I’ll also be posting comments along the way, and we’ll be putting up pictures from the ride each night.

We have just 90 days to make the case for change in this election, and to let people know just how important it is to send a fighter for local people to represent us in Lansing. I think cycling every inch of M-22 is a good start to this effort, and I hope to see you along the way!