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Two military intelligence analysts and an engineer are among the field of candidates for a nomination that probably means a general election victory in a Macomb/St. Clair county district.

The 32^nd District seat is currently held by term limited Rep. Dan Acciavatti (R-Chesterfield), who won his most recent election with 59 percent of the vote and his 2002 election, without the benefit of incumbency, with 56 percent of the vote.

The district includes many townships from Macomb and St. Clair counties: Armada Township, Chesterfield Township, Lenox Township, South Memphis, New Baltimore, the Macomb part of Richmond, Richmond Township, Columbus Township, Ira Township, Kimball Township and Wales Township.

John Accavitti and David Auwen, the two military intelligence officers, are competing for the nomination against engineer Galen Johnson and master journeyman electrician Raymond Williams.

Chesterfield Township resident Mr. Auwen (www.davidauwen.com) is retiring as a gunnery sergeant from the Marine Corps this summer and, despite his military background (including two tours in Iraq as an intelligence analyst) and advanced degrees, was having a hard time finding work in Michigan. He lives in Virginia and plans on returning this summer to an address he has kept in Chesterfield for 18 years but not primarily lived at for a decade.

He turned down lucrative Washington D.C. job offers and while applying for an absentee ballot in Michigan, he said, he noticed that Mr. Acciavatti was term-limited and that none of the candidates had any greater expertise than him and he decided to throw his hat, or helmet, into the ring.

Mr. Johnson is an engineer and former precinct delegate who can sum up his campaign in four words: Taxes, regulation; lower both.

Mr. Williams (www.electraywilliams.net) decided to run after becoming frustrated with how Legislators handled the implementation of the Michigan Business Tax by shutting down government. Michigan needs to buckle down and get its financial house in order first of all, said the welder repairman for Chrysler.

Gongwer News Service left messages for Mr. Accavitti (www.strongmichigan.com) but did not hear a response as of publication.

Richmond Mayor Timothy Rix and Macomb County Young Republicans Chair Scott Ryan Czasak have endorsed Mr. Auwen. No other candidate had endorsements to release and the endorsement button on Mr. Accavitti's site came up with an error message throughout the day.

Mr. Johnson is the only candidate to have filed paperwork with the state indicating he would not spend more than $1,000 on his campaign.

On abortion, Mr. Auwen said he is pro-life because he was faced with a decision and sided against abortion and the perspective of having his now-teenaged daughter puts the issue in a new light.

Mr. Williams said he is anti-abortion, except in cases where it saves the mother's life. Mr. Johnson had no comment on the topic.

Supporting the expansion of charter schools is Mr. Johnson and Mr. Williams.

Mr. Williams said he does not think state government should be funding charters and the founding organization should take over the financial support.

Mr. Auwen said he would need to study the issue further but that his nephews had gone to charters and succeeded there.

On the question of gun rights, all the candidates strongly support access to weapons, with some candidates stressing limits on minors and criminals.

Mr. Auwen said, "I carried guns when it mattered most." Mr. Johnson said he support gun rights "100 percent. No restrictions." Mr. Williams said age limits are appropriate, but that guns are a great way to teach the young about responsibility and safety.

When asked about same-sex marriages, none of the candidates expressed support.

Mr. Williams does support civil unions, but said rights and privileges for the unions would be up for debate. Mr. Auwen opposes civil unions: "It's a decision for them. Right now I'd have to research it more."

Mr. Johnson had no comment on the issue.

Universal health care saw some support from the candidates, but in limited form.

Mr. Auwen said he had no problem with discussing universal health care, but wants to ensure any health care doesn't resemble the military's universal health care since his wife recently saw a doctor, the first doctor of her pregnancy although other professionals had assisted earlier, when she began labor.

Mr. Williams said he doesn't like any current universal health care proposal but supports looking at all the options and would sign an "exceptional" one.

Mr. Johnson is opposed to universal health care.

On medical marijuana, the candidates are generally supportive. Mr. Williams and Mr. Johnson support the proposal and Mr. Auwen is split between enforcement worries and the medical need.

When it comes to embryonic stem cell research, Mr. Williams and Mr. Auwen are opposed, preferring other avenues of research that are less controversial.

Mr. Johnson said he had no comment.

The candidates are split on the Fair Tax proposal. Mr. Johnson supports it, Mr. Williams said it overcomplicates taxes and prefers a national flat tax and Mr. Auwen said he wants to research the issue more but leans towards supporting it.

The candidates are supportive of a part-time legislature, with the exception of Mr. Auwen. He said reducing the pay of legislators is a good step and that he would work full time regardless and favors eliminating lifetime benefits as an alternative way to reduce government.

The candidates were united in their disappointment in the Michigan Business Tax.

"It needs to be repealed as fast as possible. There are business owners verging on the edge of bankruptcy because of that silly tax," Mr. Williams said.

"It was a bad idea to begin with," Mr. Johnson said. "Eliminate it altogether to make Michigan a more pro-business state."

Mr. Auwen said the tax was a major reason Michigan ranked worst in the nation for corporate tax environment and consequently hurts the state.