North Kent News

Edward J. Hansen, incumbent Montcalm Township Trustee, is seeking the Republican nomination for re-election to his seat for a four-year term. The primary election will be held on August 6.

Per Montcalm County's unofficial candidate list, Hansen is facing Brian J. Cousineau and Connie Geer in the GOP primary. Voters may choose up to two candidates.

Hansen shared that he is a lifelong Montcalm Township resident and has served as a Montcalm Township Trustee for four years. He noted that he also serves on the Zoning Board of Appeals and is familiar with Township ordinances in a Q&A with the Daily News.

"I have always wanted to get involved in helping our township," Hansen said in the Q&A. "Running for township office allows me to get further involved in the direction the township may take [... I want] to share my knowledge of Montcalm Township and to help investigate and solve any situation that should develop and handle them with informed discussion." 

Hansen has served as a volunteer firefighter for Montcalm Township for 17 years and has worked on his family-owned and operated farm all his life. He and his wife Rebecca have three sons.

In a press release, Private Property Rights PAC — a political action committee whose "mission is to safeguard and promote the ownership and control of private property" — endorsed Hansen, stating that he "has demonstrated a profound commitment to the principles of property rights and governance that respect the rights of individual property owners" and praising his stance against government overreach.

Private Property Rights PAC Senior Adviser Madeline Morris expressed confidence in Hansen's commitment to private property rights and government transparency and accountability, predicting that he "will help protect the foundational rights that are vital to personal freedom and economic stability" in Montcalm Township.

The Montcalm Township Board comprises two trustees.

According to the Michigan Townships Association, township trustees act as township legislators and are required to vote on all issues. They are also responsible for the fiduciary health of the township and for carrying out any other duties assigned by the township board. Trustees are elected to four-year terms.