The Aug. 7 primary election is drawing closer every day, but how much do you really know about the names on the ballot?

Patch is interviewing candidates running in the Aug. 7 primary, including the four candidates vying to be on the Republican ticket for the 40th District's seat in the Michigan House of Representatives.

The seat is currently filled by Rep. Chuck Moss (R-Birmingham), who is unable to run for re-election due to term limits (though Moss is looking to run for Sen. John Pappageorge's seat in 2014).

After redistricting, the 40th district will be composed of Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Bloomfield Township, and a portion of West Bloomfield.

Running for the spot are Birmingham Board of Education's Robert Lawrence, West Bloomfield attorney David Wolkinson, Oakland County Commissioner Dave Potts and Bloomfield Hills Commissioner Mike McCready. Democrat Dorian Coston will face the winner in November.

Mike McCready

Age: 51

Family: Wife Yvonne, and two daughters.

Education: McCready graduated from Seaholm High School in 1978 and earned a earned a bachelor's degree from Western Michigan University in 1983.

Occupation: A principal owner of McCready & Associates. Currently Mayor Pro-tem of Bloomfield Hills; former mayor of Bloomfield Hills; member of hte Bloomfield Hills City Commission since 2007; also served on the city's planning commission, zoning board of appeals and library committee.

Residence: Bloomfield Hills

Other activities or endorsements:  Endorsements include: The Detroit Free Press; Former Bloomfield Township Supervisor Dave Payne; Bloomfield Township Supervisor Leo Savoie; Bloomfield Township Trustee Brian Kepes; Bloomfield Hills Mayor Sarah McClure; Former Bloomfield Hills Mayor Michael Zambricki; and many other business leaders and residents that are highlighted on his campaign website.

Why are you running for state representative?

McCready's primary motivations are to help create jobs and keep state spending under control.

"We need to run an effective and efficient government, create a positive environment for business in Michigan, and fund education for our children with money that goes into the classroom, not into pension and health care benefits and to improve our infrastructure," he said.

What are new ideas you would bring to the position/district?

McCready said his skill set would suit a position on the House Appropriations Committee and that he's committed to streamlining operations for efficiency.

"We need to keep Michigan on the right track, not go back to the days when our
legislature could not balance a budget in a timely manner," he said. "We want our government to be effective and efficient and work for everyone."

For more

Check out the stories we've written about McCready and his campaign for the State House:

• McCready Enters Crowded GOP Field For State Representative
• Opinion: McCready is Ready to Deliver Results In Lansing

Who else is running? Meet the candidates for the Michigan House of Representatives Patch has interviewed so far:

• Meet the Candidates: Dorian Coston Offers Teaching, Business Experience
• Meet the Candidates: Robert Lawrence Looking to Improve Michigan for His Children
• Meet the Candidates: David Wolkinson Running to Keep Jobs in Michigan
• Meet the Candidates: David Potts Counts on Experience, Strong Support in State House Race