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Fitzsimmons, who resigned last year as president of University Microfilms International in Ann Arbor, had the connections and capital to mount a credible campaign against incumbent Lynn Rivers. Yet like her, he advertises his blue-collar origins--he is a butcher's son--to woo the district's autoworkers. Fitzsimmons paints himself as a hard-nosed businessman who will get results, but he will have to fight hard for the influential working class.
THE ISSUES
Budget YES Medicare YES Defense NO Abortion YES Guns NO Gays YES Bosnia NO NAFTA YES Welfare YES Medical Leave YES (For an explanation of these issues, see the front of this guide.)
QUOTE OF NOTE: "My dad was a butcher. And he trimmed every last speck of fat off the meat he sold. Why? To give people their money's worth. We should balance the budget the same way. He didn't use a meat ax, and neither should we."
LYNN RIVERS (D) District 13
BORN: Dec. 19, 1956, Au Gres EDUCATION: U of Michigan, B.A., 1987; Wayne State U, J.D., 1992 FAMILY: Husband, Joe; two children RELIGION: Protestant MILITARY: None OCCUPATION: Law clerk POLITICAL CAREER: Ann Arbor board of education, 1984-91, president 1987-91; Michigan House, 1993-95; U.S. House, 1994- ADDRESS: P.O. Box 8293, Ann Arbor 48107. Tel.: 313-665-5115
In this industrial district, Rivers gets points for refusing campaign gifts and pledging to fight waste in Congress. Married the day after her high school graduation--her husband is a member of the United Auto Workers--and pregnant at 18, Rivers worked her way through college and law school. With a nod to the need for local control of schools, she argues for the Federal Government to set standards and provide funds.
THE ISSUES
Budget NO Medicare NO Defense YES Abortion NO Guns YES Gays NO Bosnia YES NAFTA NR Welfare NO* Medical Leave YES (For an explanation of these issues, see the front of this guide.)
QUOTE OF NOTE: "I am the only member of Congress married to a member of the United Auto Workers, and I am one of a handful who know what it's like to return pop bottles in order to buy a gallon of milk."
WILLIAM ASHE (R) District 14 (Parts of Detroit; Harper Woods; Highland Park)
BORN: Oct. 4, 1924, Toledo, Ohio EDUCATION: U of Detroit, B.A., 1950, M.A., 1952 FAMILY: Divorced, two children RELIGION: Roman Catholic MILITARY: U.S. Navy, 1943-46; Naval Reserve, 1946-50 OCCUPATION: Materials engineer POLITICAL CAREER: G.O.P. nominee for Michigan House, 1984, 1992, 1994; G.O.P. nominee for U.S. House, 1988 ADDRESS: 13952 Grandmont Avenue, Detroit 48227. Tel.: 313-838-4539
Though usually mainstream Republican, Ashe has some unusual ideas on congressional reform. He believes bills should have only one subject; congressional sessions should last no longer than 100 days; congressional pay should be reduced; and the annual budget process should be biennial. Ashe knows he may not defeat the 32-year incumbent, but he is grateful to get his Republican message out.
THE ISSUES
Budget YES Medicare YES Defense NR Abortion NO Guns NO Gays NR Bosnia YES NAFTA YES Welfare YES Medical Leave NO (For an explanation of these issues, see the front of this guide.)