SPOTLIGHT RACE: Betsy Coffia for MI-HD103
I’m running for re-election for State Representative because I believe when we work together, we can create a northern Michigan community where every single person is able to enjoy life with dignity and opportunity.
Growing up in a rural, working class community in the region, I learned my work ethic from my mom, who cleaned lakefront homes for a living, and spent her free time volunteering to serve in food pantries and church activities, all while raising four children. I observed the struggles of life on the margins, especially when it came to health care. My parents were in constant states of stress if one of us kids fell ill, balancing how to afford medical visits and still pay the bills.
In 2020, I saw firsthand how important quality health insurance is, when I was diagnosed with a benign brain tumor. Insurance covered nearly $300,000 of medical bills, and served as a reminder that so many hard working families still live one emergency away from financial collapse.
I want to help build a Michigan where everyone has access to quality physical and mental health care, no matter their zip code, race or gender, or level of income. I will fight for housing -- an ever growing crisis in the 103rd -- and protect the waters and land that define our district's economic and social well-being.
For too long, certain Lansing politicians have been out of touch with our community's needs. They’ve chosen profit over people to keep their power, and have worked to divide and distract us so we won’t demand better for our families.
I say no more. We all have the right to dream big and demand more of our leaders. Let's work together to build a 103rd and a Michigan where we ALL can thrive.
I’m State Representative Betsy Coffia, and I am committed to working hard every day for you and your loved ones to have life with dignity, because that is what we all deserve.
You may already know Betsy from her decade-plus of organizing in the Grand Traverse region, and many of you have been in the trenches with her-- from collecting 30k signatures in the the Emergency Manager Repeal campaign, to standing up for human rights in the Trump era, to defending our vote from the Big Lie in 2020-21.
What you may not know: Betsy grew up in a working class family here in northern Michigan. She became the first Democratic woman in over 30 years to be elected to the Grand Traverse County Commission in 2018, flipping the seat of a multi-term incumbent. She was re-elected in 2020 by an even bigger margin. In 2022, with the help of the community, Betsy flipped the only State House seat of 110 from a Republican incumbent.
Betsy has built a reputation as a thoughtful bipartisan policy maker, and a staunch voice for transparency and constituent services. She is a clear and level-headed leader in the most critical community issues, advocating for science and public health, responsible public spending, and priorities including a balanced approach to housing, mental health, broadband, and childcare.
https://www.betsycoffia.com/