State Rep. Eyes Stupak's Seat

<p><em><a href="mailto:lweber@mprn.org">By Laura Weber</a></em></p> <p>Democratic state Representative Joel Sheltrown, from West Branch, has announced he will run for Congressman Bart Stupak's seat in the U.S. House. </p> <p>Last week, the long-standing democratic Congressman announced in Marquette that he will not seek another term. </p> <p>Sheltrown had planned to run for state Senate, but he says he will be able to get more work done for Northern Michigan in Washington D.C.   </p> <p>"As a legislator in Michigan we often run into frustrations and I have too with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife," he says. "I can't even get them to return my phone calls or correspondence with me on a lot of cases because I'm a state legislator, I'm not a federal legislator."</p> <p>Sheltrown is the first Democratic legislator to announce plans to run for the seat. Former Charlevoix County Commissioner Connie Saltonstall is the only other announced Democratic candidate for Stupak's seat. </p> <p>A few Republicans have also announced plans to run. </p>