Angela Witwer

Angela Witwer was born in Traverse City, Michigan. Witwer earned a bachelor's degree from Northwood University. Her career experience includes co-owning and operating Edge Partnerships and working with Sparrow Health System. Witwer served on the Waverly Community Schools Board of Education and has been affiliated with the American Cancer Society, Boys and Girls Club, the McLaren Greater Lansing Foundation, the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce Economic Club, the Wharton Center for Performing Arts, Volunteers of America, St. Gerard Catholic Church, Michigan State University, and the Small Business Association of Michigan.[1]

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I worked 22 years at Sparrow Health System both in the clinical arena and administration.

For the past 13 years, I have co-owned and successfully operated Edge Partnerships. Edge is a full-service branding, marketing, advertising, public-relations and advocacy business. Edge has been honored with many awards including Entrepreneur of the Year, Pace Awards, Telly Award, Athena Award for Organizational Development, INC 5000, Top 50 Business to Watch.

I have served on many volunteer committees and boards including American Cancer Society, Boys and Girls Club, McLaren Greater Lansing Foundation Board, Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce Economic Club, Wharton Center for Performing Arts Board, Volunteers of America Homeless No More Committee and St. Gerard Catholic Church marketing committee. Additionally, I served two terms as an elected Waverly Community Schools Board member where I served six years as the vice president. I am in my first term in the House of Representatives serving district 71.

I am a graduate of Waverly Community Schools (within Eaton County) and a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Northwood University. I am married and have two married children and four granddaughters.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Improve our Education SystemProtect our Senior CitizensFight for a Fair Tax System   Featured local question

How would you close the talent gap in this state?

Closing the talent gap strategies are outlined on a great PDF: https://www.michigan.gov/documents/ted/MP_Programs_615789_7.pdf - I would concur that we need to create and expand programs, provide career exploration for students, invest in our students, invest in our teachers and review current programs.

Featured local question

In a time of strained resources, what should be the state’s spending priorities?

Education, Local Government, Infrastructure, People

Featured local question

Michigan has among the weakest ethics and transparency laws. How would you improve them?

The LORA bills have been introduced in the legislature in the past. These bills would finally remove Michigan's outlier status among the 50 states and would make the governor, lieutenant governor and legislators subject to the requirements of the state's Freedom of Information laws (FOIA). This means citizens would have the legal right to request and receive public records from these offices, subject to a number of exemptions.Michigan currently ranks dead last in transparency and this needs to be addressed.

Featured local question

Michigan’s budget has been severely impacted by the COVID-19 virus shutdown. How would you address the deficit? Do you prefer spending cuts or tax hikes?

Michigan's budget is impacted in more than a billion dollars. There isn't a way to cut those kind of dollars from our current budget. I would like to see the Federal government help states with stimulus dollars so that major cuts don't need to happen.

Featured local question

What’s the best approach for meeting Michigan’s roads and other infrastructure needs?

In our district people want a variety of different funding models looked into. We need to make every dime spent on the current gasoline tax go to roads, but we need to be able to back fill those dollars that are currently going to education, in another way. Additionally, we need to look at weight limits on our roads as we are an outlier on our weigh limits. People are well aware that we have ignored this big issue for decades. The legislature must quit kicking this can down the road and work together to find an acceptable funding model.

Featured local question

What’s your one big idea for improving public schools?

I would like to create a strong alignment and partnership with businesses, community colleges, and higher education to assure a prepared and quality future workforce, and informed and responsible citizens.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I'm passionate about policy that will address the top issues I hear from the people in my district and across Michigan. Healthcare and prescription drug costs are a top issue. I am on the health policy committee. We have passed out of committee and through the house, bills addressing surprise billing. I advocated for these bills both in committee and on the floor and voted yes on all bills in this package. Additionally, I was appointed, by the Governor, to the Opioid Task Force and the Pharmaceutical Task Force to address the issues of transparency. A large issue we are addressing are the costs of prescription drugs so that seniors - and all people - do not have to make the choice between food or rent and getting their medication. I introduced House Bill 5108 to help bring transparency to drug pricing and ultimately lower the price. Additionally, jobs are a top concern. I have worked for policy to protect and to attract more jobs to Michigan. I have advocated and introduced bills for a fairer tax system to put more money in the pockets of Michiganders. I introduced House Bill 4287 to eliminate the pension tax. I have also introduced House Bill 4582 to assist teachers with a credit for the dollars they spend in their classroom.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I look up to many people who have served. Personally, my father was my ultimate role model. He died when I was 18. He had $50 and had just given our car to a family in need. He told us we could get another and this family needed it more than we did. He worked for others and never self. He was my teacher on how to give back to the community and put people first. I additionally loved reading the writings of Mother Teresa. She, too, gave of herself for others. It was just one more reinforcement to always put the needs of the people before all else. I have a quote from her on a lot of my social media: "Do small things with great love." If we all can remember this - have civility - we can make Michigan and the world a better place.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Integrity, honesty, empathy, accountability, confidence, inclusion, positivity, resilience, vision, influence

What legacy would you like to leave?

I want to leave an imprint of civility and compassion on this district and on the world. I want to be known as someone that worked as hard as my Dad to give back to the community that has given me so much. When I say something, I want to be known for doing that also. I want to show my granddaughters and all young people that it is possible to work hard and give back even when the world isn't always civil.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

The first major historical event I remember is the Vietnam War. I was 9. My cousin came to our house and I sat with him while he asked for my dad's advice on the draft. My older sisters wore POW bracelets and would read the Lansing State Journal to see if their bracelets name was on the list. I will never forget my family talking about the war and the impact that it had on the men and women who served. My brother-in-law, who was like a dad, served in Vietnam and ultimately died from the effects of the war. These experiences, played a role in my life and the respect I give to our veterans.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

I had a few jobs before I was 18 - babysitter, candystriper, Gift & Bible store, but my first main job was at Sparrow Health System. I was there for 22 years. I have been very fortunate, every job I've ever had has been my favorite - including now as a State Representative. Each job had a common thread - serving. I worked in a few departments at Sparrow - Burn Unit, Pediatric Rehabilitation and the longest time was spent in the Community Relations department as the manager overseeing marketing, public relations, advocacy and events.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Before I took office, I was a more voracious reader. I belonged to a book club. My favorite book was and remains Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson. My favorite books and movies are based on experiences that move me. Just Mercy is a true story about calling upon us to fix our broken justice system and racism.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Atticus Finch - To Kill a Mockingbird

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

I've had Peace Train by Cat Stevens stuck on my music list:

Now I've been happy lately

Thinking about the good things to come

And I believe it could be

Something good has begun

Oh, I've been smiling lately

Dreaming about the world as one

And I believe it could be

Someday it's going to come

"Cause I'm on the edge of darkness

There ride the Peace Train

Oh, Peace Train take this country

Come take me home again

Now I've been smiling lately,

Thinkin' about the good things to come

And I believe it could be,

Something good has begun

Now I've been crying lately,

Thinkin' about the world as it is

Why must we go on hating

Why can't we live in bliss

We need civility.

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

I have been very fortunate to have been able to make a goal and get there. I struggled when I was younger with the death of my father. At times, when I attend a breakfast for Ele's Place or children who have experience a loss, it all comes back. The death of a person who has played a major role in your life can make you struggle.

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and the state legislature?

The legislature provides oversight of the executive branch of government through the administrative rules and audit processes, committees, and the budget process; advises and consents, and through the Senate, on gubernatorial appointment. Additionally, the relationship should be open, honest and civil so that we can work together for the people of Michigan.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Yes, it is very beneficial to build relationships throughout the legislature. Anywhere you can have strong relationships, good ideas, good policy is born. Good relationships lead to open discussions about the needs of our communities and help to get partners on board to pass good legislation.

If you are a current legislator, what appealed to you about your current committees?

I asked to be appointed to Agriculture and the Health Policy committees for the House of Representatives. I asked for agriculture because I was raised in a farming family and the district I serve is diverse and has a large agriculture community. I wanted to be able to represent and give a voice to the agriculture community along with a large business located in my district - Michigan Farm Bureau. I was the first legislator who brought a sitting Governor to a farm in our district. Our governor toured the farm and discuss the issues facing farming during the 2019 weather disaster. The governor then signed a bill on the farm offering funding options for farmers who were suffering losses. I also serve on health policy. I wanted to serve on health policy because of my lifetime of work in the health arena. I wanted to bring my vast knowledge of healthcare to the committee and ultimately to our community. Health Policy has been working on a package of bills (one I sponsor) for pharmaceutical pricing. One of the top issues I hear from people in our district is they have to choose between groceries or their mortgage payment and their medication. This shouldn't happen and we are working to bring transparency to pricing. Additionally, house policy and just this week the House of Representatives passed a large package of bills to stop "surprise billing" for consumers. This important package will help thousands of people in our state.

If you are not currently a member of your party’s leadership in the legislature, would you be interested in joining the leadership? If so, in what role?

Yes. I would like to serve in a capacity to mold policy for our state. I would ultimately like to serve as a chair of a committee.

Is there a particular legislator, past or present, whom you want to model yourself after?

My mentor during my run for the first term is Representative Donna Lasinski. I share a similar background of business ownership and we both are pragmatic in our decision making.

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

At this time, I would like to run for the current seat I hold and help other good candidates run for office.

Both sitting legislators and candidates for office hear many personal stories from the residents of their district. Is there a story that you’ve heard that you found particularly touching, memorable, or impactful?

I have two. I was knocking the door in one of the cities in our district. A women answered the door and had a fresh tattoo. She had struggled with her child and suicide. She explained the ordeal they had went through to get help and the lack of long-term support they could receive. They fell in the cracks. They weren't on public assistance and there weren't any beds available. Ultimately their family lost their battle. The state has a very bad lack of available mental health help. Secondly, I met a woman who had muscular sclerosis. She needed medication but the co-payment was $1800 a month. She had to choose her mortgage and groceries over her medication. I will never forget thinking how I would want my medication if I had MS. These two situations drive me every day to fight for better healthcare in Michigan through health policy committee and the State House of Representatives.