Jessica Swartz

Jessica Swartz was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She graduated from Grand Rapids Creston High School. She earned a bachelor's degree from Michigan State University and a law degree from American University, Washington, College of Law.

Her career experience includes working as an appellate attorney for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, a deputy general counsel at Western Michigan University, a temporary legislative correspondent and U.S. Capitol tour guide, and a high school rowing coach. She also worked on the Enron investigation for the Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations and with the organization Voters Not Politicians. Swartz has been affiliated with the following organizations:[1][2]

Michigan State University Alumni Association

National Organization of Veterans Advocates

State Bar of Michigan

NAACP of Greater Kalamazoo

St. Thomas More Catholic Church

U.S. Rowing

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I was born and raised in West Michigan and currently live in Kalamazoo. I went to Michigan State University, where I studied Political Theory and Constitutional Democracy. In that major, we learned what the Founders wanted for our country and how to make it happen. I was also on the rowing team and waited tables. Being on the rowing team taught me how much -- both physically and mentally -- I could push myself. It is a lesson I have applied to every endeavor since.

I went to American University Washington College of Law. I went on to work as an appellate attorney for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, where I helped Veterans get the benefits they earned and helped stop waste, fraud, and abuse. While at VA, I waited tables on weekends to pay down my student loans and car payment.

I married a fellow Spartan and former U.S. Navy Lieutenant. We moved back to West Michigan to be close to family and raise our daughter. I continued working for VA in Battle Creek before taking a job at Western Michigan University. There, I specialized in free speech cases and represented the University before the State Department of Education and the U.S. Department of Education. I currently represent Veterans as they seek their VA benefits.

In 2017-2018, I worked hard to ban both parties from partisan gerrymandering in Michigan, which we did in 2018. In 2022, I worked closely with the City Commission to expand voting access. I love sports, reading, and counted cross stitch.

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?

I will fight to reduce the cost of living for hardworking people. Corporate profits and billionaires' bank accounts are soaring while most of us are trying to make ends meet and maybe save a little money for vacation. I plan to tackle this by increasing affordable housing and providing affordable healthcare, including long-term care.I will continue fighting for clean air and clean water for the people of the 41st District, including by expanding brownfield redevelopment opportunities and helping neighborhoods clean up abandoned or dangerous properties. This work will also open the door to expanding locations to build safe, affordable housing. I will work to make sure polluters are held accountable for the damage they are doing to our people and our environment.I will work to protect public education. As a graduate of the Grand Rapids Public Schools, I saw firsthand how inequitable resources between my school and the suburban schools affected my classmates' and my quality of education. Where you live should not determine the quality of your education.

I will make sure the MI Department of Ed has the resources it needs to support our children and that no one is discriminated against while doing so. Public universities also need support. Tuition costs are rising because state tax support goes down every year. The state needs to fight back against those who are trying to tear down higher ed so it remains available and affordable to anyone who wants to go to college.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

#1: the policies that most impact my constituents

After that:

Public Education

Environment

Veterans' rights and benefits

Healthcare

Civil rights

Reproductive rights

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Empathy; humility; strong moral compass; service-minded; active listening; leadership; remembering that the purpose of public service is to serve the common good.

I have found that almost everyone has a good reason for believing what they do. By being willing to listen to all voters with humility and an open mind, we can find common goals. We can move forward with those common goals and, hopefully, work to repair damage that has been done by the extreme partisanship and selfishness that we see from so many members of government.

I also take a lot from my faith. While I would never try to impose my faith on others, Jesus said that it is our responsibility to take care of those who are hungry, thirsty, naked, sick, or unhoused. When I am stuck and trying to make a decision, I always come back to those lessons and to asking what will best serve the greater good.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

The first is just being present for your constituents. At its core, that is the job of an elected official. Second, a representative must be willing to humbly listen to those with whom they may disagree and work to find common ground (see my answer above). Third, a representative must be willing to roll up their sleeves and put in the hard work to fight for the people of the district. They must be willing to stand strong against external factors that may be pushing them to make decisions that are contrary to what their districts and our country need.

I can promise that, with my background as a rower, a federal attorney, and a working mom, I will never stop fighting for the people of this district. I am not running for power or prestige or name recognition. I am running to make life better for as many people as possible.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I would like people to say that my life made a positive impact in making life better for all people. I would also like to leave a legacy of showing that you can fight hard for a cause while maintaining civility and respect. I hope people would say, "I didn't agree with everything she did, but I respect her hard work and integrity."

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

I remember the Challenger exploding. I was ten. We were watching it in school. This many years later, I don't remember many of the details, but I do remember how I felt.

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

I got my first job at 13. I worked at the front desk and in the locker room at the local public pool.

What is your favorite book? Why?

Gone with the Wind. While I abhor the stance this books takes on slavery and how it depicts Black people in the South, at its core, this book is about the things a woman will do to support and save her family. Scarlett shunned the expected mores of her day and sacrificed her own happiness so her family could eat and have a roof over its head.

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

Professor McGonagall. She just seems cool. Or maybe Wonder Woman.

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

It should be a relationship centered on teamwork. The separation of powers must be maintained, and, at the same time, neither one can accomplish its goals without the other. I will work to establish a foundation of trust and accountability with whoever holds the governor's office, so that real work can get done.

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

The increased cost of living, loss of reliable healthcare, and the loss of natural resources due to mega-corporations circumventing environmental protections. We have also lost the ability to argue without fighting. We need to bring back the ability to respect others' views while we passionately defend our own. Diversity in all areas makes our communities greater.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

Yes. There is a "system" in which you must know how to work to be in politics. I have worked with or for all three branches of both the state and federal governments, so I understand that system and how those branches work together (or not) to accomplish their objectives. I will be able to hit the ground running on Day 1 to get the work done.

My legal experience is especially valuable in this regard. I have been trained and have spent the last twenty-plus years learning how the legal system works within an administrative system of government. A law must be both effective AND legal to succeed. I have learned, through my on-the-ground experience working with the different branches of our government, reasons why even well-meaning laws are not successful.

Finally, we know that the upcoming elections will likely be contested on the state and federal levels. I have ten years of experience in election administration and law in Michigan. I will immediately be able to push back against attempts to circumvent the will of the voters in Michigan through my knowledge and contacts I have in this arena.

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

Absolutely. No one can pass a law with only one vote. It is important to build relationships of trust and respect so the work can get done.

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

Senator Carl Levin. I had the opportunity to work for him during my third year of law school. While he was an incredibly influential and powerful person in the US Senate, he did not lose his humility and remained in touch with his roots. I will always try to maintain that same humility and integrity throughout my political career.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

State Representative Joey Andrews

Kalamazoo Councilmember Jeanne Hess

Bricklayers Local 2

Laborers Local 355

Teamsters Local 406

UA 174

What is an accomplishment that you are proud of?

Becoming a mother. We fought for many years to be able to have our daughter. The day she was born was the happiest and proudest of my life.

What legislation would you enact related to election administration in your state?

I have already successfully advocated for laws in Michigan that eliminate partisan, political gerrymandering and that expand voter access. We were able to institute same-day voter registration and permanent absentee ballot registration. I will continue to be sure that the Michigan electoral system remains safe, free, and impartial. I will look into how registered Michiganders must complete a separate application to be given an absentee ballot. To me, it adds an unnecessary administrative hurdle that is used to disenfranchise voters.

Jessica Swartz did not complete [the profile publisher]'s 2024 Candidate Connection survey.

Campaign website

Swartz’s campaign website stated the following:

I also believe we can deliver on common sense ideas that the majority of Americans agree on. Issues like:

Growing our economy

Cutting costs for working families

Protecting our Great Lakes

Defending Medicare and Social Security from budget cuts

Increasing access to broadband internet

Making healthcare affordable

Defending our democracy

Protecting abortion rights

Passing common sense gun control

Making sure millionaires, billionaires, and corporations pay their fair share [3]

—Jessica Swartz’s campaign website (2024)[4]