Jason Morgan (politician) explained

State House1:Michigan
District1:23rd
Termstart1:January 1, 2023
Predecessor1:Darrin Camilleri
Party:Democratic
Birth Date:July 14, 1989
Education:Northern Michigan University (BA)
University of Michigan (MPA)
Signature:Jason Morgan Signature.png
Office2:Washtenaw County Commissioner from the 8th district
Term Start2:January 2017
Term End2:January 2023
Predecessor2:Yousef Rabhi
Successor2:Yousef Rabhi
Allegiance: United States
Branch:United States Coast Guard Auxiliary

Jason Morgan is a politician who represents the 23rd District in the Michigan House of Representatives.[1] He previously served as a Washtenaw County commissioner representing the board's 8th district.[2] He is a member of the Democratic Party.

Early life and education

Morgan was born and raised in Pinconning, Michigan. He graduated from Northern Michigan University in 2011 with a bachelor's degree in Political Science.[3] He moved to Ann Arbor in 2011. He later received a Master of Public Administration from the Ford School of Public Policy at the University of Michigan.[2]

Career

During his career in politics, Morgan has served as an advisor to Congresswoman Haley Stevens, Constituent Services Director for Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, Transition Director for Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin, and as the District Director for Congresswoman Debbie Dingell.[4]

In March 2021, Morgan was appointed to the Northern Michigan University Board of Trustees by Governor Gretchen Whitmer as a recess appointment for an eight-year term.[5] Previously, Morgan's nomination was rejected by then Michigan's Republican-controlled Senate. In 2023, Morgan resigned from the Board of Trustees after he was elected to the state legislature.[6]

Morgan is a part-time instructor at Washtenaw Community College. Morgan is a member of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.[3]

In February 2023, Morgan was selected to serve as the first vice chair of the Michigan Democratic Party.[7]

Washtenaw County commissioner

Morgan was elected to the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners' 8th district seat in 2016. He chaired the board from 2019 to 2021 and was re-elected to the board in 2018 and 2020. Morgan served as the first openly LGBTQ chair of the commission.[8]

2022 election and first State House term

In June 2021, Morgan announced his candidacy for representative for Michigan's 53rd district. He received endorsements from a large number of local elected officials, including Ann Arbor Mayor Christopher Taylor and State Representative Felicia Brabec. On August 2, 2022, Morgan advanced from the Democratic primary. On November 8, 2022, Morgan was elected to serve represent the 23rd District in the Michigan House of Representatives, defeating his Republican opponent with over 65% of the vote.[9]

In 2023, Morgan was appointed to serve as the chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Military, Veterans and State Police, and as the vice chair of Appropriations Subcommittees on Education and Transportation.[10]

Personal life

At age 13, Morgan was diagnosed with Becker's Muscular Dystrophy.[11]

Morgan is openly gay.

Electoral history

2022

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Michigan Election Results 2022 . The New York Times .
  2. Web site: Alumnus Re-elected to County Commission Northern Today. news.nmu.edu.
  3. Web site: Two Alumni Appointed to NMU Board Northern Today. news.nmu.edu.
  4. Web site: Jason Morgan (WCC Employee Directory) . www.wccnet.edu .
  5. Web site: Jason T. Morgan . NMU Board of Trustees . en .
  6. Web site: New NMU trustees bring much to the table . The Mining Times.
  7. Web site: Barnes wins third term as MDP chair, party endorses repealing Right to Work . Michigan Advance.
  8. Web site: June 17, 2021 . Washtenaw County Commissioner Jason Morgan running for state House . mlive . en .
  9. Web site: Michigan Election Results 2022 . The New York Times .
  10. Web site: Morgan Sworn in as Representative, Appointed Chair of Military, Veterans and State Police and Vice Chair of Education and Transportation Appropriations Subcommittees . Michigan House Democrats.
  11. Web site: Commissioner talks publicly for first time about his muscular dystrophy . mlive . en . August 4, 2017 .