Michigan Primary 2024 Voter Guide: Macomb County Sheriff
The 2024 Michigan primary takes place on Tuesday, Aug. 6.
Macomb County Sheriff Anthony Wickersham runs unopposed on the Democratic ballot as he seeks reelection. Three Republicans are running in the primary: Scott Budnick, Eddie Kabacinski and Terence Mekoski.
Related: 2024 WDET Voter Guide
WDET distributed surveys to local, county and congressional candidates in key races on the August primary ballot to gain a deeper understanding of what’s motivating them to run. Responses have been edited for clarity and length.
Jump to candidates
Democratic Candidates
Name: Anthony Wickersham
Age: 62
Current Occupation: Macomb County Sheriff
Education: BA, Wayne State University | AA, Macomb Community College
Tell us about yourself in 200 words or less.
I have been a Macomb County resident for over 60 years. I have been employed by the sheriff’s office since 1986 and have been the elected sheriff for the past 13 years. My education, dedication and work ethic has provided me the skills to lead the sheriff’s office and bring in the best training, equipment and technology so the men and women of the sheriff’s office can do their jobs effectively and safely. I am married with a blended family of six children, three grandchildren and one due in September. I enjoy hockey, golf and playing the guitar.
Why are you running for Macomb County Sheriff?
I enjoy leading the 569 men and women of the sheriff’s office and I want to continue to help them achieve their goals into the future, but I also have some projects that I would like to follow through with before I retire.
What are the top 3 priority issues that Macomb County faces and what actions would you, as sheriff, take regarding each of them?
Recruitment
We continue to reach out to high school and college students to educate them on the benefits of a career here at MCSO. We have seen an increase in pay for our staff, working along with county leaders to hire and retain the best applicants.
Macomb County Jail Central Intake and Assessment Center
Completion of jail addition and providing wrap around services to inmates incarcerated at MCJ. This priority has already started.
Criminal Activity
Provide proactive policing to catch and deter crime that is occurring here in Macomb County, especially as it relates to juvenile offenders committing crimes, with little or no consequences. I will set up a county wide Crime Suppressing Unit consisting of sheriffs and local law enforcement personnel to help reduce crime. This proposal will be in my 2025 budget request.
Republican Candidates
Name: Scott Budnick
Age: 53
Current Occupation: Hamtramck Police Officer
Education: BA, Law Enforcement Management, Union Institute and University | Associate of General Studies, Macomb Community College | AAS, Law Enforcement, Macomb Community College | Certificate ,Homeland Security, Macomb Community College | Certificate, Law Enforcement with Police Academy, Macomb Community College
Why are you running for Macomb County Sheriff?
I am running for Sheriff of Macomb County because of my passion for my chosen profession law enforcement. People who know me know that I have dedicated my entire life to my law enforcement career, and they have asked me to run for Sheriff. I have no further political ambitions only to be your Sheriff. I have many years of law enforcement experience to share with our brave employees at the Sheriff’s Office and I’m the only Republican candidate that is a current active law enforcement officer. It is non-negotiable.
What are the top 3 priority issues that Macomb County faces and what actions would you, as sheriff, take regarding each of them?
The most pressing issue facing the sheriff’s office in the next four years will be illegal immigration. I’m the only candidate with immigration experience as a former ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) agent. My experience will be invaluable in the future at the sheriff’s office. I will implement the ICE 287(g) program so that deputies can enforce immigration laws at the local level, and I will work diligently with ICE/Border Patrol to get this immigration problem in Macomb County under control. I will not allow gangs of illegal aliens to break into our homes and steal items from people who have worked hard all their lives to acquire them. I will create a task force with police departments in Macomb County to vigorously combat the home invasion problems that are occurring in our communities.
I will put an armed officer in all of our schools public and private. Our children will not be afraid to go to school because of an active shooter hell-bent with the intent to harm or kill them in our Macomb County schools. This is non-negotiable to me, it will happen under my administration.
Our elderly population is constantly being taken advantage of. I will do more to protect them by community outreach to educate them on the latest scams people are trying to perpetrate upon them. I will take care of our most vulnerable population in Macomb County.
What actions/decisions by your opponent have you disagreed with and how would you do things differently?
My opponent wants to start a “possie” or a “militia” as he stated at the Macomb County Sheriff’s Office. I disagree with this. Macomb County does not need a militia at the sheriff’s office. I will continue with the reserve deputy program currently in place. I will increase the number of reserve deputies in this program. The program will have background checks on every candidate and psych testing before being hired. The reserve units are an extremely cost-effective way of increasing manpower at the sheriff’s office — the units are made up of volunteers who want to help the community without leaving their current careers.
Name: Eddie Kabacinski
Age: 50
Current Occupation: Retired military veteran
Tell us about yourself in 200 words or less.
I have been a city of Warren resident for 20 years since 2003. I am a former city of Warren 5th District Councilman and previously Military Housing Commission board member while serving in the United States Army. I served during the Gulf War and Somalia. I have worked as a federal public housing police officer and GSA Federal Protective Services.
Why are you running for Macomb County Sheriff?
It is my intention to serve as a conservative sheriff under your constitutional limited republic. I will appoint Terence Mekoski and Scott Budnick as sheriffs. We will serve united together.
What are the top 3 priority issues that Macomb County faces and what actions would you, as sheriff, take regarding each of them?
I will adhere to the principles of our God-given inalienable rights to uphold, support and defend your freedom and liberty under your federal and Michigan constitutions. I will not infringe on your right to keep and bear arms. I will honor our sanctuary county status.
What actions/decisions by your opponent have you disagreed with and how would you do things differently?
I am of the people and for the people. For those in the uni-party establishment, that becomes scary and frightening on their ability to maintain control and power which engages the weaponization of law enforcement over “we the people.” I am a grassroots constitutional conservative Christian and an avid Trump agenda supporter. This has made me a target of lawfare, election interference and voter intimidation. That is very concerning especially as a candidate during a political campaign for a duly elected public office.
Name: Terence Mekoski
Terence Mekoski did not respond to WDET’s questionnaire request. You can find more information at Mekoski’s official campaign website.
Trusted, accurate, up-to-date.
WDET strives to make our journalism accessible to everyone. As a public media institution, we maintain our journalistic integrity through independent support from readers like you. If you value WDET as your source of news, music and conversation, please make a gift today.
