Six Democrats and one Republican are competing for the 68th District seat in the House of Representatives, which represents Lansing.

The Aug. 8 primary will narrow the field down to one Republican and one Democrat to be voted on in the Nov. 7 general election.

Below is a brief description of each of the candidates and why they want a shot at representing Lansing in the state House.

Harilaos Sorovigas

Sorovigas, a Lansing real estate agent, is the only Republican candidate running in the election.

He said he wants to bring businesses into Lansing, improve public schools and help provide more affordable and accessible health care.

He also said he wants to keep exploring alternative energy.

"I've been a business owner in downtown Lansing for a little over three years, and I have personal experience in shaping the economy and with health care and education," Sorovigas said. "I know exactly what the community needs because I've experienced it firsthand."

He said if voters aren't happy with the current conditions in Lansing, they shouldn't keep voting for Democrats who have been in power.

Chris Lewless

A Lansing attorney, Lewless said he wants to represent Lansing in the House because the Legislature has been preoccupied with useless bills and isn't helping people.

His main focus in the House would be creating a universal preschool program, helping to develop alternative energy and having the state pay for "catastrophic health care," or health care for small businesses for only serious medical procedures.

"That would make Michigan more competitive than any other state," Lewless said.

Lewless said he is the best Democratic candidate because he has plans for how to help Michigan and has worked on global issues.

"I'm actually able to tell you what my first order of business would be," Lewless said. "I have ideas and have proven I'm willing to work hard."

Diana Rouse

Rouse, who's worked in education for about 30 years as a teacher and administrator, said she'd focus on health care, job training and education if elected to the House.

"We're no longer a manufacturing state; we need to train our workforce to go into technology and building trades," Rouse said.

She also said she wants to improve student achievement and professional development for teachers.

Rouse said she knows how to work with others, which she learned while working on labor negotiations.

Her campaign for the House has been run out of her garage and is grassroots, Rouse said.

"I guess I'm really looking at taking my skills to the next level," Rouse said. "I could retire, but I'm not ready for that."

Melissa Sue Robinson

Robinson, a Lansing business owner, said she wants to create more jobs and re-energize the state's economy.

She plans to finance these goals by changing the income tax system so people below the poverty rate don't pay, while those who make more money pay more.

Robinson said she wants to reduce the number of nonviolent offenders in jails, eliminate the Single Business Tax and diversify Michigan's economy, which she said will help bring more business into Lansing.

"I'm the type of person that's competitive and knows how to sell very well, and I know how to sell Michigan to outside businesses to create jobs," Robinson said. "I've dealt with businesses and know how they think and know what they need to come to Michigan, and I know how to bring that to them."

Patrick Baker

Baker, a Lansing attorney, said he wants to help preserve programs for the elderly, those with disabilities and children by expecting people to share taxes instead of cutting them.

"Taxes unite us, and tax cuts divide us and leave those vulnerable in the middle," Baker said.

He also wants to introduce legislation that would put mentors in Lansing schools to help students and encourage college students to work with them as mentors.

"This investment would bring order back to classes," Baker said.

Baker said he is the best Democratic candidate because he has experience working in the Legislature as a chief of staff and isn't taking money from political action committees.

Jerry Hollister

Hollister, a minister and director of special projects for Cooley Law School, wants to work on economic development for Michigan.

Hollister said he would work to diversify Michigan's economy and help the state be a part of developing alternative energy.

"I believe that Michigan has the potential to really be at the forefront of the new bioeconomy," Hollister said. "We have some of the top research in the world going on at MSU on bio-related projects."

Hollister said he would represent Lansing well because he's dependable and can get results.

"I have statewide experience and 20 years of effective leadership experience," Hollister said.

Joan Bauer

Bauer, who is in her third term on the Lansing City Council, said she would focus on strengthening the economy, job development, health care and education.

She said she wants to help provide health care to people who need it, provide more funding to all levels of education and work to keep more college graduates in the state.

"We need to be sure that our schools — at all levels — are able to produce workers who can compete for the 21st century jobs," Bauer said.

Bauer said she would represent Lansing well because she has leadership experience and she knows the impact the Legislature has because of her time as a City Council member.

"I've seen firsthand how decisions made at the state level impact the local community, and I want to take that experience to the state Legislature on behalf of the Lansing area," Bauer said.