A formerly independent candidate for Michigan House in the 38th District has now accepted the Green Party’s nomination for the race, ensuring he’ll appear on the November ballot.

Jett Newton is a former Democrat who announced his independent candidacy to unseat state Representative Joey Andrews back in January. At the time, he told us he wanted to push a more working class agenda, and now after speaking with the Green Party, Newton says he’s decided it aligns with that goal.

“I spoke with the leadership of the Michigan Green Party and with a lot of the folks in the party, and they’re completely on board with my platform, and I see why it makes a lot of sense, I think, to work together with people who are like-minded as far as my policies go,” Newton said. “So I have accepted their nomination, and I will run under their banner.”

Newton was in Lansing on Saturday for the Michigan Green Party’s nominating convention, securing the nod and gaining ballot access. He says he also took a tour of all the party’s local chapters around the state in 2025 and found the party is largely comprised of average people who are fighting for what they believe.

“Really, the Green Party in general, they agree with me on the idea that a lot of people work really hard to get by and don’t get very much for it. And we’re trying to even the balance out where work gets results in our country here.”

Newton says joining the Greens has not altered his platform in any way, although one of his more recent positions fits with their views well. He says he opposes the development of large data centers in Michigan, partly because the producers of AI don’t understand and can’t control the technology. There are also economic reasons.

“The technology has automated millions of jobs over the past 15 years, and especially now we’re seeing that trend accelerate. I’ve heard the arguments that the data center will bring jobs to our region, but that’ll only be for the term of its construction. Once those data centers are up, they’re going to contribute to the loss of jobs around the country from automation. I read a stat by Forest Research that says by 2030, across the country, 10 million jobs could be lost to automation. So in the long run, it’s a bad deal for the working class.”

Newton’s platform includes eliminating homestead property taxes and replacing them with a 19.7% flat state income tax. He told us more about his proposals.

“I’m trying to reduce the tax burden on the average person. I’m looking to make auto insurance free across the state. I’m looking to reform property taxes in the state. I want to make it so that instead of lending property taxes on primary homesteads, I want to see a 1.5 % wealth tax on net worths above $10 million instead, so that way people don’t get taxed out of their homes. Those are just a few of the things I’m running on.”

Newton says having the Green Party’s nomination won’t result in any additional campaign funds, but could open up additional venues for events. He was headed to Lansing on Monday as the Greens submitted their final nominating paperwork to the state.

Photo: Newton (back row, second from the left) at the Green Party nominating convention this past weekend.