Lynn Afendoulis

Lynn Afendoulis was born in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She earned a bachelor's degree from Michigan State University in 1981. Her professional experience includes working as a reporter. She was also the director of corporate communications for Universal Forest Products and the vice president of the company's charitable giving foundation. She has served with the Grand Rapids Economic Club and Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church. Afendoulis also served on the boards of the Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce, the foundation for Grand Rapids Public Schools, the Grand Rapids Youth Commonwealth, and the Michigan Transportation Commission, which she was appointed to by Governor Rick Snyder (R).[1][2]

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I'm a mom of a teacher and a welder, a businesswoman, community leader, former legislator, problem-solver and lifelong Michigander. I began my career 40 years ago as a newspaper reporter and have worked for small businesses, an international public corporation, and nonprofits. My mother was a public-school teacher; my father was a restaurateur and proud veteran. My grandparents were immigrants who gave me important perspective on freedom, work, & opportunity. I was raised in a large, Greek family that showed hospitality to all, demanded good behavior, and showed much love. I was expected to work hard, to show respect, to practice humility, to love my neighbor, and to be forgiving. I believe we need to bring those ideals to politics and governance. I yearn for statesmanship and bipartisan engagement, and work hard to model both. I believe we need to stop government bloat and let people keep more of their money in their pockets and more of their destiny in their control. I pull no punches and am not easily offended, which is why I enjoy difficult conversations with people who don’t share my views—conversations that typically are the most useful.

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?

Families can't afford daily life and that must change. Government spending in Michigan and the United States is out of control and we're feeling it in our pocketbooks and in a growing sense of concern and despair. Our middle class is suffering. Retirees are rethinking their plans. And we’re putting the burden of our spending on our children, who will be left to pay the bill. We must reduce costs where we can--and in state government, there is plenty of opportunity. It's time government was a solution in soaring costs and inflation; not the problem.Families must be safe in our communities and businesses must be able to thrive in safety and security. It's part of the beauty—and promise—of this nation. And I'm the candidate who cares about and will prioritize that. I will provide law enforcement and community safety programs the support and long-term funding they need so they can plan for years of security and I will offer them the respect they earn so that our children will learn to do the same. Our families deserve to live in peace in their homes and neighborhoods – no matter where they live – and our businesses need to thrive in an environment known for its safety and hospitality.Education in Michigan is failing our youth & deadening their hopes, is more responsive to ideology than to parents, and needs revolutionary, long-term change. We must hire the best teachers & respect & support them in a manner that makes Michigan’s schools THE place to teach. We must give parents a say in what their children learn, especially in sensitive topics like sex. We must make up for the vast learning loss that happened under Gov. Whitmer and state Democrats’ shutdowns. Our focus should be on literacy, STEM, on the trades, and other critical areas that will give our children knowledge, power, jobs, and hope. And we must provide choice not just to those who can afford it, but to everyone who wants options.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am passionate about a healthy Michigan -- economies, communities, families, environmental ecosystems, and all the things that I want to improve for our children. So, I am passionate about the policy at hand that will allow us to do those things. That said:

Health policy is critical because we need to make healthcare affordable and accessible to all. There are things we can do at the state level to help do that.

Economic policy is critical because without jobs or opportunity, our systems & communities collapse. We need to create jobs and opportunity faster than we are, and without entitlements that don't come with transparency, metrics, and assurances.

My daughter is a teacher; my mother was a teacher (a Michigan Teacher of the Year!), so I have lived with the trials and exuberance of dedicated educators. And I chaired the foundation for Grand Rapids Public Schools for years, which was both a great honor and instruction on our public education systems and needs. We must fix what's broken--funding, delivery systems, facilities, remote learning, etc., and that will require significant redesign and collaboration among those who don't normally sit together at the table to solve problems. But that must change, too—because we need to give our children the hope that comes from the knowledge, skills, and awareness that only a good education can provide.

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

There is a Greek concept called “philotimo” that has no true translation in English. Sometimes it's described as a love of honor, but it includes so much more than that. It is about hospitality and warmth—especially to a stranger or an enemy. It is service without expectation. It is integrity and charity. It is a virtue and a way of life and explains a decent, admirable human being who lives selflessly. My father had philotimo and I got to see how that manifested at home and at work--I worked in his restaurant starting at the age of 14--and to aspire to it in my own life. So I look up to my father and I aspire to be a person of philotimo, like he was.

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

I am a creative problem-solver who thinks out of the box and who works well with others -- with people of all thoughts and perspectives -- to get things done. I work hard; it simply is who I am. I am a people person and am as comfortable on a plant floor as in a boardroom, perhaps because I believe all people deserve respect and attention. I value truth, kindness, and integrity. I am bold and unafraid of difficult conversations on difficult issues -- partly because they help me learn about my own position and ideas. I believe in loving my neighbor without condition; it is difficult to attain, but I aspire to it. I feel a great sense of responsibility for taking a salary from the people, which manifests in a strong work ethic and a dedication to responsiveness. I am adamant about civility and statesmanship in my conversations and work--I want my constituents to be proud that I'm their representative and my children to be proud I'm their mother. And I simply love service to others.

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

Undun, by The Guess Who

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

The ideal relationship is civil, collaborative, and is focused on the welfare of the people and their state and not on politics. A governors needs her legislature to accomplish her goals and achieve her vision for the state. A legislature needs its governor to sign bills and instruct departments to carry out the appropriate work to create and support those bills. They are a check-and-balance, and they have great opportunity to set the tone for the state, to establish the state in the nation's arenas, and to model behavior for our youth, who are the governors and legislators of tomorrow.

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

Creating effective, efficient government that is accountable to the people, transparent, and costs much less than it does now. I'm concerned that the current spending will constitute the new "floor" in the minds of some, and it's just not sustainable. Fixing our education system will be a significant challenge -- getting teachers, administrators, unions, legislators, the business community and others at the table to work collaboratively will be a challenge--and it will be critical. And if we focus on the welfare of our youth and not our own self-interests, we can make it happen. Creating a funding mechanism for the sustainable upkeep of our infrastructure will be a challenge, from roads to water systems to sewers. It's not a sexy issue and often is invested in only after a crisis. We must create systems and funding to avert crises, not wait for them to happen. And civility and statesmanship will continue to be a challenge if the current rhetoric and zeitgeist endure.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Yes, and I think it shows confidence and strength of character. And it doesn't require sacrificing one's values or objectives. We need this in all areas of life these days -- a willingness to give a little to get a little, which requires an understanding of the other, respect, statesmanship, integrity, and other qualities that seem to be in rare supply these days. I value bipartisan lawmaking and can point to significant bills I passed only with the help of my Democrat colleagues that are making Michigan better today. If we truly are elected to serve the people and to move Michigan forward, we owe it to the taxpayers who are paying our salaries and expenses to get things done, and compromise is part of that.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I am a mother, the granddaughter of immigrants, and someone who has called West Michigan home my entire life. I had a successful 38-year career in the private sector before being called into public service in 2018 when I first ran for the Michigan State Legislature. As a young woman growing up, I learned about what my grandparents faced in their homelands and the sacrifices they made not just to come to this country in search of the American Dream, but also as new Americans, and it shaped my perspective on life. It also gave me a deep appreciation for the community and drove me to engage in the community as an adult. I am running because I know our community deserves better than we have had from Justin Amash. I believe the needs and voice of West Michigan have been underrepresented since 2010. And, in these trying times, we need better than that.

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 believe that West Michigan deserves someone who will work with President Trump to help get Michigan's economy back on track.As we come out of this pandemic and cover the costs of need and change, we need someone who will be willing to make the tough decisions to cut the fat in government, eliminating waste and duplication and deciding what's necessary and what's nice to have. People say we can't cut our way to a solution; I say we can't tax our way there.Our southern border was at crisis levels before President Trump came to office. I will work with President Trump to secure our borders, improve our legal immigration system, and ensure this nation laws enforces its laws.    Featured local question

Are you open to tax hikes or spending cuts to balance the budget?

I have signed the ATR pledge not to raise taxes because I believe the politicians in Washington, D.C. far too often look to tax their way to solutions. When I need to get more done, I don't necessarily spend on more people or things; first, I figure out how to get more done with less. I know people can be innovative in times of need and believe we should encourage that. I know we can always figure out how to get a little more done with what we have. I know we can find waste and duplication and other areas to create savings. I believe we should constantly root out fraud and inappropriate spending and treat taxpayer dollars as if they were coming from our own wallets (they are).

During my time in the private sector, we had to make tough budget decisions in tough economic times Once, we had to make across-the-board cuts in all departments and operations--and we figured out how to do that. Communications became less colorful or frequent. People figured out how to do things more quickly or efficiently. We didn't fill some positions when people left. And we found out that we were doing things we didn't necessarily need to do or found out how to purchase better or hold meetings online instead of traveling for in-person sessions or do more with fewer people. And we didn't miss a beat. If the private sector can do that, the public sector - where we spend other people's money - not only can do it but should do it.

I believe we need politicians who are willing to make tough budget decisions, especially in these times. We must address budgetary issues and quit kicking the can down the road for future generations to figure out. That's weak and irresponsible. And we're better than that.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I currently am the Tax Policy Chair in the Michigan State House, and I have been honored to stand up for Main Street, Michigan and for the businesses, large and small, of this great state. Now more than ever, we will have to ensure smart tax policy so that our economy can get back on its feet, and we can fund the law enforcement, schools, infrastructure, environmental protection and other critical needs of our state. Transportation and our nation's infrastructure are also at the top of my list; we need to improve things like broadband access and ensure that our roads are safe and secure before they crumble, not after, as we've witnessed with our dams, roads, and water systems. As the granddaughters of immigrants, I want to strengthen our immigration system to encourage lawful immigration and secure our border. And as the mother of two beautiful children, one of whom was adopted, I believe that we need policies that strengthen our families. I am proudly pro-life and was the author of legislation that banned the terrible practice of dismemberment abortion in Michigan, and I will always stand up for life.

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

I am a creative problem-solver. I make no excuses and get things done. I am a bit impatient, which has served me well - I have a sense of urgency about results and progress. I often am able to turn confrontation into positive action and don't shy away from it. I am not afraid of hard work and have a roll-up-your-sleeves approach to the tasks at hand. I am not afraid to say no and believe it's important to have adults - or adult thinking - in the room.

I have had a good and full life and have the chance to use what I've learned for the benefit of others. I have two wonderful children who are the center of my world. I have decades of community service where I have listened, learned, and helped my community be a wonderful place to live and raise a family. I am running for Congress because I believe we are fighting for the very fabric of who and what we are-the things that President Trump is fighting for, and that attracted my grandparents to this country. I want to protect the rule of law and represent the people of the 3rd District in a way that they've been yearning for - with integrity, engagement, and effectiveness. And to show my children that this is all worth fighting for.

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

My very first job was as a hostess at my father's steak house. I was 14. I worked there regularly in summers and whenever he needed me during the year until I left for college. It taught me so much. First, he opened this restaurant in a suburban area of Grand Rapids after the race riots of 1967 effectively shut down his downtown restaurant and night club. It was the most popular place in Grand Rapids in its day; people lined up outside to get in, and downtown was hopping. After the riots, his business went from hundreds of customers a night to 4 or 5. And it took decades for downtown Grand Rapids to come back. So, leaving downtown and opening in another area was a lesson in itself. Then, I had the opportunity to learn the challenges, frustrations, opportunities, and delights of being a small business owner. Employee issues, regulatory issues, competition, marketing, customer relations - all of that was driven home to me early in my life as I worked side-by-side with my dad. Also, a cousin and uncle were bartenders, another cousin's band occasionally played in the nightclub, the waitresses became babysitters and family friends, my high school friends were busboys - I learned what a work-family could look like and what it was like for so many people to rely on the success of a single person in business. Small business is the backbone of our nation, and I saw that firsthand growing up and think about those experiences and my father's business and life often as I consider my work and decisions as a state legislator.

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

Athena. As in Greek mythology. She is the Goddess of wisdom and of war and is considered one of the wisest and bravest gods of mythology. She was clever, confident, wise, and self-sufficient-traits I admire. She also was kind and sweet, but if someone was unjust or crossed her, she responded appropriately-and often memorably. She is considered the protector of cities and civilized society. She was an advisor to leaders who valued her wisdom and counsel.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for representatives to have previous experience in government or politics?

I do not. I think more helpful than anything else to me as a state legislator has been my experience in the private sector. I have been able to bring concepts and expertise to the table that can be useful in government and politics: focusing on innovation, being wary of waste and duplication of efforts, understanding the systemic nature of communities, and what makes them healthy, as examples. Here in Michigan, where we have term limits, many representatives don't have previous experience in government, which brings new and fresh ideas to the government consistently. It's why I support term limits. We need more people in office who are focused on advocating for their communities and fewer people worrying about getting re-elected. Term limits make that possible.

What do you perceive to be the United States' greatest challenges as a nation over the next decade?

Restoring our economy and allowing people to return to a normal life following the defeat of COVID-19.

What are your thoughts on term limits?

I signed the Term Limits pledge and believe that President Trump was spot-on when he focused on draining the swamp. The fastest way to help the president achieve his goals is to get rid of career politicians. Instead of worrying about their reelection, politicians could instead focus on the things that need to get done and would have a sense of urgency about making that happen in the short time they have in office. Additionally, the further government gets from the people, the less people actually know and are connected with their elected officials, which makes incumbency all too powerful, especially at the federal level.

Term limits would ensure that we could capitalize on great ideas and contain the damage done by career politicians who are focused only on their reelection and, therefore, on money.