Katrina Manetta

Katrina Manetta earned a high school diploma from Utica High School and a bachelor's degree from Oakland University in 2012. Manetta's career experience includes working as a community organizer.[1]

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I’m a lifelong Macomb County resident, community organizer, and working-class candidate running for State House because I’ve lived the challenges too many families here are facing. I grew up in this district and still live here today, and I’ve spent years working directly with people in our community, helping them navigate systems that too often fall short.

I’m not a political insider. I’m someone who understands what it means to work hard, deal with rising costs, and worry about whether the system is actually working for you. I’m running to bring a new generation of leadership to Lansing that is focused on practical solutions, accountability, and making government work better for the people it’s supposed to serve.

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?

Make life more affordable for working families. I’m focused on lowering everyday costs, from housing and utilities to taxes and insurance, and making sure people can actually get ahead.Put people before politics. I’m not part of the political establishment. I’ll bring accountability, independence, and a focus on real results instead of political games.Strengthen our community with practical solutions. That means investing in infrastructure, supporting local businesses and workers, and making sure our neighborhoods are safe and strong.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I’m most passionate about policies that directly impact people’s day-to-day lives. That includes affordability, economic opportunity, and making sure working families can build a stable future. I care deeply about supporting small businesses, strengthening worker protections, and making sure people are paid fairly for their work.

I’m also focused on improving infrastructure, investing in education and job training, and making sure our communities are safe. My approach is grounded in solving problems in a practical way that actually improves people’s lives.

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

I look up to people in my own community who show up every day and do the hard work of supporting their families and helping others. That includes small business owners, caregivers, first responders, and people who step up to solve problems even when it’s not easy.

Their example is a reminder that leadership is about service, responsibility, and doing what’s right, not what’s easy.

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

Accountability, integrity, and a strong work ethic are essential. People deserve leaders who show up, listen, and follow through. An elected official should be focused on results, not headlines, and should be willing to work with others to solve problems.

It’s also important to stay grounded in the community you represent and never lose sight of who you’re working for.

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

The core responsibility is to represent the people of the district and deliver results that improve their lives. That includes passing responsible budgets, strengthening the economy, and making sure communities have the resources they need.

It also means being accessible, listening to constituents, and advocating for practical solutions on issues like affordability, infrastructure, education, and public safety.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I want to leave a legacy where no one is left out. I want to leave behind a community that is stronger, more affordable, and more connected than it is today. A place where people feel like government actually works for them, and where the next generation has real opportunities to succeed.

Most of all, I want people to feel like their voices were heard and that someone in Lansing was truly fighting for them.

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

I was a receptionist at a local hair salon in Macomb County. I worked there for 4 years.

It was the kind of job that teaches you a little bit of everything. How to talk to anyone who walks through the door, how to stay calm when the schedule falls apart, and how to take pride in your work no matter how small the task. I also got to see firsthand how much small businesses mean, both to the families who run them and to the customers who keep coming back. Those years still shape how I think about work and service today.

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

ike many families in this community, I’ve faced real challenges that have shaped who I am and why I’m running.

I grew up in a family that understood both hard work and hardship. I’ve experienced the loss of people close to me, including my father, my sister, and someone I cared deeply about, and I’ve seen how those moments can change the course of a family’s life. I’ve also watched my family navigate long-term caregiving, including supporting an aunt with mental health challenges, which gave me an early understanding of how demanding and complicated those responsibilities can be.

In my own life, I’ve had to rebuild after difficult circumstances, including a relationship that was not healthy and the financial strain that followed. Like many people, I’ve had to make tough decisions, recover, and keep moving forward.

Those experiences are not unique, and that’s exactly the point. A lot of people in this district are dealing with loss, financial pressure, caregiving responsibilities, or situations that don’t go as planned. I understand what that feels like, and I carry that perspective with me.

It’s a big part of why I’m running. I want to help build a system that actually supports people when life gets hard, and one that gives families a fair shot at stability and a better future.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

Organizations:

EMILYs List

MI List

Run for Something

Individuals:

Alex Hawkins - Candidate for State Representative, District 55

Alisa Diez - Former Chair, North Macomb Democratic Club

Birdie Nash - Harrison Township Precinct Delegate

Cardi DeMonaco Jr. - Former Eastpointe Mayor Pro Tem & Eastpointe Precinct Delegate

Carole Chi - Sterling Heights Precinct Delegate

Diane Young - Former Candidate for U.S. House of Representatives (MI-10) & Community Leader

Edlira Sako - Former Candidate for Macomb County Commissioner, District 7

Emily Busch - Former Candidate for U.S. House of Representatives (MI-10)

George Chapp - Warren Precinct Delegate

George-Michael Higgins - Fraser City Councilman

Gwen Zollner - Shelby Township Precinct Delegate

Henry

What was the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember?

9/11. I was young, but I remember the way the adults around me went completely silent that day. I remember my teachers trying to explain something they didn't really understand themselves. It was the first time I realized the world could change in a single morning, and how much we lean on each other when it does.