Andrew Fink Explained

Office:Member of the Michigan House of Representatives
Term Start:January 1, 2021
Predecessor:Eric Leutheuser
Constituency:58th district (2021–2022)
35th district (2023–present)
Birth Name:Andrew Frederick Fink[1]
Birth Date:30 July 1985
Birth Place:Ypsilanti, Michigan, U.S.
Education:Hillsdale College (BA)
University of Michigan (JD)

Andrew Fink (born July 30, 1985) is a Republican member of the Michigan House of Representatives, first elected in 2020.

Early life, education, and legal career

Fink was born on July 30, 1985, in Superior Township, Washtenaw County, Michigan.[2] He received a bachelor's degree in politics from Hillsdale College and a J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School.[2] He was a member of the United States Marine Corps Judge Advocate Division from 2011 to 2014.[2]

In 2017, he moved from Ypsilanti to Hillsdale, where he ran a satellite office of his family's law firm, Fink and Fink, PLLC. He was district director for Mike Shirkey, a Republican member of the Michigan State Senate and the Senate Majority Leader,[2] [3] from January 2019 to January 2020.[3] Fink is a member of the Federalist Society and was a commissioner-at-large for the State Bar of Michigan.[2]

Political career

In the 2020 Republican primary for the Michigan House of Representatives, District 58,[4] Fink ran against farmer Andy Welden, realtor Daren Wiseley, and Hillsdale Mayor Adam Stockford.[5] The district covers Hillsdale County and Branch; incumbent Eric Leutheuser could not run for reelection due to term limits.[6] Of the 16,881 total votes in the August 2020 Republican primary, Fink received 6,520 votes (38.62%), Welden 4,310 votes (25.53%); Wiseley 3,126 votes (18.52%), and Stockford 2,925 votes (17.33%).[4]

During his 2020 campaign, Fink took the position that Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer's actions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Michigan were unconstitutional.[7] His primary campaign was supported by Citizens for Energizing Michigan's Economy (CEME), a 501(c)(4) "dark money" group related to Consumers Energy, which ran several mailers and ads in favor of Fink.[7] [8]

In the general election, Fink faced Democratic nominee Tamara Barnes of Coldwater, a director of the Kalamazoo Valley Museum.[9] [10] Fink won 71.22% of the vote (30,208 votes) and Barnes 28.78% of the vote (12,208 votes).[11]

Upon taking office,[12] [13] Fink was assigned to the House Appropriations, Military and Veterans Affairs and State Police; and Health Policy committees.[2]

After redistricting, in 2022, Fink was elected to the 35th district.[14]

In September 2023, Fink announced his candidacy for the Michigan Supreme Court.[15]

Personal life

Fink lives in Adams Township. He is married to Lauren Grover[16] and has five children.[2]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Meet Andrew .
  2. https://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2021-2022/michiganmanual/2021-MM-Chapter3.pdf State Representative ANDREW FINK (R–58th Representative District)
  3. Web site: 2020-02-17. Meet Andrew Fink - 58th District Representative - Republican Candidate. 2020-12-24. WSYM. en.
  4. Web site: August 2020 Michigan Primary Election Results. Michigan Secretary of State.
  5. Web site: Mullins. Julia. 2020-08-26. Hillsdale primary results: Fink, Hodshire see Aug. victories, look to November general election. 2020-12-24. Hillsdale Collegian. en-US.
  6. https://www.mlive.com/public-interest/2021/01/whos-new-in-the-michigan-house-of-representatives.html Who's new in the Michigan House of Representatives
  7. Web site: Fry. Sam. GOP state legislative candidates answer questions at debate. July 28, 2020. Hillsdale Daily News.
  8. Web site: Fry. Sam. Consumers Energy-funded nonprofit spending big in District 58 House race. 2020-12-24. Hillsdale Daily News. en.
  9. Web site: Measel. Jim. Third time around for Walberg-Driskell, Fink vs. Barnes for 58th House Seat. 2020-12-24. WTVB. en.
  10. Web site: Bohl. James. 2020-10-15. Meet the candidates: Tamara Barnes (D). 2020-12-24. Hillsdale Collegian. en-US.
  11. Web site: November 2020 Michigan General Election Results. Michigan Secretary of State.
  12. Web site: Measel. Jim. Fink sworn in as 58th District State Representative. 2020-12-24. WTVB.
  13. Web site: Measel. Jim. Fink elected as 58th District State House Representative. 2020-12-24. WTVB. en.
  14. Web site: Legislator Details - Andrew Fink . . March 1, 2023.
  15. Web site: State Rep. Andrew Fink running for Michigan Supreme Court seat. September 19, 2023. www.aol.com.
  16. Web site: Andrew Fink: From student to legislator . 10 November 2022 .