In explaining his reelection bid, Townsend stated, "I am running because the promise of a middle class life in Michigan is being broken for too many of our people.
We need a state government that will stand up to special interests and invest in the public goods like education that are crucial to creating good-paying jobs for our people.
"[1] In 2013, Townsend introduced legislation that called for universal background checks for gun buyers.
[3] He has worked for Ford, and helped found the Michigan suburbs alliance.
[1] In November 2019, Townsend was appointed director of the Levin Center for Oversight and Democracy at Wayne State University Law School.