Jeremy Hosking has joined the pool of candidates vying for the 109th District seat of the Michigan House.

MARQUETTE — Jeremy Hosking has joined the pool of candidates vying for the 109th District seat of the Michigan House.

A special election is being held to fill the vacant seat, following the recent death of John Kivela.

Hosking, of Negaunee Township, joins Marquette City Commissioner Sara Cambensy and Marquette County Board Vice Chair Joe Derocha on the Democratic ticket. All have filed the necessary paperwork in Lansing to be included on Aug. 8 primary ballot.

“Elected officials in Lansing need to take action on pocketbook issues that effect (sic) working class families in the Upper Peninsula,” said Hosking in a statement released this morning. “Working class families struggle to pay their utility bills, put food on the table and send their children to a university or trade-school.”

A 2004 graduate of Negaunee High School, with a bachelor’s degree in political science and master’s of public administration from Northern Michigan University, Hosking said he is a lifelong resident of the 109th District. He also has some experience in the political arena. He worked for former 109th District Rep. Steve Lindberg, and most recently served as the Upper Peninsula regional manager for U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow.

Hosking currently serves as secretary of the Negaunee Area Community Fund, and is also on the executive board of the Negaunee Lions Club, according to the release.

“In the next two months, I hope to meet as many people as possible to talk about important issues in our district like public education, jobs and the economy, and resources to help those in need,” Hosking said. “I am also very interested in listening to understand what is on the minds of people.”

Gov. Rick Snyder announced last week a primary election will be held Aug. 8, with the general election following on Nov. 7. The elected candidate will serve the remainder of Kivela’s current term, through the end of 2018.