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Michigan's Fifth, with thousands of autoworkers, leans Democratic most of the time. But Barcia, who replaced Republican Bob Traxler in 1992, has staked out fairly conservative territory in Washington. He's for a balanced-budget amendment and against the Brady gun law. He's not fond of the Sierra Club, either, calling its members "anarchists." Still, he keeps an eye on district interests like the federal environmental-data clearinghouse in Saginaw.
THE ISSUES
Budget NO Medicare NO Defense YES Abortion YES Guns NO Gays YES Bosnia YES NAFTA NO Welfare NO* Medical Leave YES (For an explanation of these issues, see the front of this guide.)
QUOTE OF NOTE: [On not balancing the budget] "I think we're headed toward a major, major disaster if we continue on the course we have been on."
LAWRENCE SIMS (R) District 5
BORN: July 13, 1948, Ottawa, Ill. EDUCATION: Michigan State U, B.S., 1971 FAMILY: Wife, Linda; one child RELIGION: Roman Catholic MILITARY: Army Reserve OCCUPATION: Insurance agent POLITICAL CAREER: President, Saginaw Valley Republican Club, 1989; chair, Saginaw County Republican Committee, 1990-92 ADDRESS: 2115 Bay Road, Saginaw 48602. Tel.: 517-791-1996
Though he's never won a general election, Sims has been involved in community affairs and politics for a quarter-century, including service as chairman of the Michigan State University Board of Directors. He believes government is stifling individual initiative and voices frustration that the 104th Congress hasn't had more success in cutting the federal budget. But running against one of Michigan's most conservative Democrats will not make Sims' job any easier.
THE ISSUES
Budget YES Medicare YES Defense YES Abortion YES Guns NO Gays YES Bosnia YES NAFTA YES Welfare YES Medical Leave NO (For an explanation of these issues, see the front of this guide.)
QUOTE OF NOTE: "The federal policies of the past 40 years [constitute] a system based upon a caretaker government, one that breeds dependency."
CLARENCE ANNEN (D) District 6 (Southwest--Kalamazoo; Benton Harbor; St. Joseph)
BORN: April 9, 1928, Milwaukee, Wis. EDUCATION: Kalamazoo Central High School, diploma, 1946 FAMILY: Wife, Elizabeth; three children RELIGION: Roman Catholic MILITARY: None OCCUPATION: Labor official POLITICAL CAREER: None ADDRESS: 8022 Greenfield Shores, Scotts 49088. Tel.: 616-327-9309
Annen proves it's never too late to run for Congress, seeking his first political office at 68. The grandfather of six is committed to protecting Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid. As a 32-year member of the United Paperworkers' Union, he supports a ban on the use of replacement workers during strikes. Annen hopes to connect with union and blue-collar workers in the Sixth, where General Motors and the Indiana-Michigan Power Co. are the largest employers.
THE ISSUES
Budget NO Medicare NO Defense YES Abortion NO Guns YES Gays YES Bosnia NO NAFTA NO Welfare NO Medical Leave YES (For an explanation of these issues, see the front of this guide.)
QUOTE OF NOTE: "My first priority would be the protection of employee rights...Protection of the collective-bargaining process without the threat of being fired, replaced or locked out is essential."
FRED UPTON (R) District 6