State Rep. Olson Considers Switching Parties

Republican State Rep. Rick Olson, of York Township, has a big decision to make by Tuesday.

Olson is seriously considering switching parties to run as a Democratic candidate.

It’s not because he has a change of heart or philosophy.

“I don’t think people can change who they are. That’s not what this is about,” said Olson. “I went to Lansing to solve big problems like school pensions and find ways to fix our roads and bridges. Those are the issues I’m interested in tackling. And while Michigan has made progress, we’re not done yet.”

But Olson is likely done if he runs as a Republican and he knows it. In 2010, which was a good election for Republicans, Olson edged out Mike Smith in a tough race, 7,605 to 7,397. In 2011, when the districts were redrawn, Olson’s district lost Republican strongholds and gained more Democratic voters. Olson estimated that the 55th district now swings Democratic with an estimated 65 percent of the vote. In a presidential election, during which many people vote straight-ticket, Olson doesn’t like those odds.

“I’m not interested in running to lose,” Olson said.

So far, the Democratic field includes Pittsfield Township Trustee Andrea-Brown Harrison and Ann Arbor resident Adam Zemke.

Olson said he thinks he can be an attractive candidate to a large number of Democrats. He compared his style to that of Republican Gov. Rick Snyder, who carried normally Democratic city of Ann Arbor.

“I think I’m a lot like Gov. Rick Snyder. I’m analytical. I work with the facts to solve problem. I’m educated and I have similar approach,” Olson said.

Olson said he’s not as interested in party labels as he is in solving problems.

“I’m not interested in partisan stuff. I’m looking at the big issues that matter to people in Michigan and I don’t get embroiled in those smaller issues that might be very important to small numbers of people,” Olson said. “I’ve shown that I can reach across the aisle and take positions that aren’t down party lines to solve issues.”

Most notably, Olson called for implementing a wholesale fuel sales tax and increasing vehicle registration fees to raise $500 million for roads.

Olson has until 4 p.m., May 15 to submit his nomination petition. He said it’s not been an easy decision.

“It’s been a rollercoaster. On the first day of session in January, I called my wife to tell her I wasn’t running. When I got to Lansing that day, I had a dozen representatives come up to me that day, from the most conservative Republicans to the most liberal Democrats, and tell me I need to come back,” Olson said.