The Spartan Caucus
Following is a list of Michigan State University alumni elected and serving in state politics.
Governor’s Administration
Governor Gretchen Whitmer
As Michigan’s Governor, Gretchen Whitmer is committed to solving problems for Michiganders across the state. Under her leadership, that means expanding access to affordable healthcare, improving education and skills training, respecting working families, cleaning up Michigan’s drinking water, and of course, fixing the roads. Learn More
Michigan State Senate Members
Senator Jim Ananich (D), Senate District 27
Senator Jim Ananich is serving his second term in the State Senate. Ananich represents Argentine Township, Clayton Township, Fenton, Fenton Township, Flint, Flint Township, Flushing, Flushing Township, Gaines Township, Genesee Township, Linden, Montrose, Montrose Township, Mundy Township, and Swartz Creek. Ananich earned a bachelor’s degree in political economics from Michigan State University as well as a secondary education certificate in social studies. He also earned a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Michigan-Flint. Learn more.
Standing Committees: Agriculture (MVC), Government Operations (MVC)
Senator John Bizon (R), Senate District 19
Dr. Bizon is an otolaryngologist (ear, nose and throat doctor) in Battle Creek who’s been in medical practice for more than 40 years. He is a military veteran who served in the U.S. Air Force, eventually obtaining the rank of lieutenant colonel. Dr. Bizon earned a bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University and a medical degree from Wayne State University School of Medicine. His residency took place at the U.S. Air Force Wilford Hall Medical Center in Texas. Learn more.
Standing Committees: Appropriations, Families, Seniors, and Veterans and Health Policy and Human Services
Senator Curtis Hertel Jr. (D), District 23
Curtis Hertel Jr. has served as Ingham County Register of Deeds since 2009. Previously, he served as an Ingham County Commissioner from 2001-2008. Hertel holds a BA from Michigan State University James Madison College. Learn more.
Standing Committees: Advice and Consent, Appropriations (MVC), Appropriations - Capital Outlay, Appropriations - Health and Human Services (MVC), Appropriations - Universities and Community Colleges, Health Policy and Human Services
Senator Dan Lauwers (R), District 25
Prior to joining the Senate, Lauwers served six years in the Michigan House of Representatives, representing the 81st District. Lauwers is part owner and stockholder of Star of the West Milling—Emmett and former owner and operations manager of Eastern Michigan Grain, and he previously worked for the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and the National Milk Producers Federation. He also served as former Congressman Bill Schuette’s legislative advisor on agriculture in Washington, D.C. Learn more.
Standing Committees: Agriculture, Economic and Small Business Development, Energy and Technology, Government Operations, Insurance and Banking, Regulatory Reform, and Transportation and Infrastructure
Senator Peter MacGregor (R), District 28
Senator MacGregor was elected in 2014 to serve the residents of Kent County. MacGregor was first elected to the Michigan House of Representatives in 2010 to represent the 73rd District for four years. MacGregor graduated from the Michigan State University School of Business in 1988. Learn more.
Standing Committees: Appropriations, Appropriations - Health and Human Services, and Economic and Small Business Development
Senator Jeremy Moss (D), District 11
Senator Moss served two terms in the Michigan House of Representatives before joining the Michigan Senate. As an advocate for ethics and accountability, he worked across the aisle to pass ten bills in the House that would open up government records to public scrutiny by subjecting the governor’s office and state legislature to principles of the Freedom of Information Act. Learn more.
Standing Committees: Economic and Small Business Development, Local Government, Regulatory Reform
Michigan House of Representatives Members
Representative Thomas Albert (R), District 86
State Representative Thomas Albert was first elected to the Michigan House of Representatives in November 2016. He represents the 86th District, which makes up portions of Kent and Ionia County including the cities of Belding, Ionia and Lowell as well as the townships of Easton, Ionia, Orleans, Otisco, Ada, Bowne, Caledonia, Cascade, Grattan, Lowell and Vergennes. He attended the University of Michigan where he majored in both political science and history. After completing military service, Thomas used the G.I. Bill to attain a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Michigan State University with a concentration in finance. He then obtained the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst (CAIA) certification. Learn more.
Standing Committees: Corrections (C), Agriculture. Subcommittees: School Aid and MDE, Agriculture & Rural Development, and Military & Veterans & State Police Appropriations.
Representative Kevin Hertel (D), District 18
State Representative Kevin Hertel represents the 18th House District, which is comprised of the communities of Eastpointe, St. Clair Shores and part of the village of Grosse Pointe Shores. Hertel attended Michigan State University, where he studied political science. While attending MSU, he remained focused on the importance of staying involved in activities he believed in. Along with students from each of Michigan’s 15 public universities, Hertel spearheaded an effort to advocate for an increase in higher education funding. He continued to stay active in political campaigns and learned firsthand how government should work as an intern for former state Senator Deb Cherry. Learn more.
Standing Committees: Ways and Means
Representative Jon Hoadley (D), District 60th
Representative Jon Hoadley was elected to serve the 60th District in the Michigan House of Representatives in November 2014. Hoadley is a graduate of Michigan State University. Learn more.
Standing Committees: Appropriations (MVC), Fiscal Agency Governing (MVC), Subcommittees: General Government, Health and Human Services, and Higher Education and Community Colleges.
Representative Pamela Hornberger (R), District 32
State Rep. Pamela Hornberger was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives in November 2016. She represents the 32nd District, which includes portions of Macomb and St. Clair counties, including the City of New Baltimore and portions of the cities of Memphis and Richmond, as well as the townships of Chesterfield, Casco, Columbus, Ira, Kenockee, Kimball, Riley and Wales. Rep. Hornberger has a bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University, teaching certification from Wayne State University and a master’s in education administration from Saginaw Valley State University. Learn more.
Standing Committees: Education (C), Health Policy, Elections and Ethics, and School Aid and MDE Appropriations.
Representative Beau LaFave (R), District 108
State Representative Beau LaFave was first elected in November 2016 to the Michigan House to represent the people of Delta, Dickinson and Menominee counties. He earned his bachelor’s degree in International Relations and Political Economy in 2015 from Michigan State University’s James Madison College. He then completed one year at Wayne State University Law School in pursuit of his Juris Doctorate degree. Learn More.
Standing Committees: Military, Veterans & Homeland Security (C), Judiciary (VC), Agriculture, Oversight and Reducing Insurance Rates.
Representative Frank Liberati (D), District 13th
Representative Frank Liberati was elected to serve the 13th District in the Michigan House of Representatives in November 2014, which includes Allen Park, Dearborn Heights and a small part of Southgate. Representative Liberati received his bachelors degree from Michigan State University. Learn more.
Standing Committees: Health Policy (MVC), Regulatory Reform, and Families, Children, and Seniors.
Representative James Lower (R), District 70
State Rep. James Lower was first elected to the Michigan House in 2016. He represents the 70th District, which includes Montcalm County and portions of Gratiot County including the cities of Alma and St. Louis as well as portions of Arcada and Emerson townships and the townships of Bethany, Pine River and Seville. Jim earned a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Michigan State University and a master’s degree in Business Administration from Grand Valley State University. Jim worked as Executive Director for a small national consulting firm. He was also a legislative assistant in both the Michigan House and Michigan Senate. Learn more.
Standing Committees: Local Government (C), Tax Policy (VC), and Energy and Health.
Representative Steve Marino (R), District 24
Steve Marino was first elected to the Michigan House of Representatives in November 2016 and represents residents in Harrison Township and portions of Clinton and Macomb townships. He is an alumnus of Michigan State University’s James Madison College, and earned degrees in Economics, Public Policy and Public Administration, and Political Theory and Constitutional Democracy. Rep. Marino was a Macomb County Commissioner and local business owner prior to serving in the Legislature. Previously, he worked in both the public and private sectors, specializing in public affairs and campaign finance. Learn more.
Standing Committees: Commerce and Tourism (C), Local Government and Municipal Finance (VC), Elections and Ethics, and Military, Veterans and Homeland Security.
Representative Henry Vaupel (R), District 47th
Representative Henry Vaupel was elected to serve the 47th District in the Michigan House of Representatives in November 2014. Vaupel received his bachelors and doctorate in veterinary medicine from Michigan State University and serves as an adjunct professor with MSU’s College of Veterinary Medicine. Learn more.
Standing Committees: Health Policy (C), Insurance, Michigan Competitiveness, Tax Policy.
Representative Michael Webber (R), District 45th
Representative Michael Webber was elected to serve the 45th District in the Michigan House of Representatives in November 2014, which includes Rochester, Rochester Hills, and part of Oakland Township. Webber received a bachelor’s degree in International Relations from Michigan State University. Learn more.
Standing Committees: Regulatory Reform (C), Insurance, Oversight and Tax Policy