State Representative Beth Griffin (R-Mattawan) was first elected to the Michigan House of Representatives in November 2016.  She represents the 66^th House District, which includes all of Van Buren County, Alamo Township, Cooper Townships, and the City of Parchment in Kalamazoo County.  Prior to her election to the legislature, she was a guest teacher at Mattawan Consolidated Schools.  Additionally, she was a special education and English teacher for six years.

Representative Griffin was elected to two terms as a Van Buren county commissioner, from 2013 to 2016.  She has served as chair of the Area Agency on Aging for Region IV, Van Buren County Mental Health Court and Van Buren County Drug Treatment Court.

Representative Griffin and her husband, a retired U.S. Naval Reserves Captain, have two children and reside in Mattawan.  They own a local insurance premium finance business in Mattawan.

1. What attracted you to running for the Legislature?

My public service began my kids were very small. I helped found the Mattawan Area Food pantry and served as a parent volunteer and fundraiser for my local schools.

2. When did you first realize you wanted to be a Dem/GOP?

 I was raised in a conservative Christian home, and taught to value hard work and goal setting. Although my household was not overly political, I was taught the government had an important but very limited role in society.  My parents also wanted us girls have successful careers before getting married, and to do good things. My father taught me to be smart about business choices and not to judge people too quickly, my mother taught me to be compassionate and loving towards people who struggle with life challenges. She is the strongest, smartest, and most passionate person I know.

a. What attributes of your party do you most identify with?

I identify with the fiscal responsibility aspects because only through good fiscal decision making can we stretch tax dollars to reach the most vulnerable people in need of assistance. Historically, I appreciate and understand how our personal freedoms must be protected in order for America to continue to be a force for good in this world. As a Catholic, I take my pro-Life beliefs very much to heart.

3. What individuals from your community have shaped and prepared you to be a legislator?

I’ve learned to be a good steward from fellow teachers and from other local officials. Quite a few business owners have shared serious concerns about over burdensome regulations. There are also several people in my community that have helped prepare me, they quietly do good things, they stay true to who they are, and they value honesty and candor. They have taught me that political affiliation is not as important as having a servant heart. I deeply respect their advice, their contributions to community, and have much more to learn from them in the future.

4. What issues would you like to advocate for because of a personal life experience?

Most recently, the proposed closure of the Palisades Plant in Covert has me very concerned for the 600 jobs that are now in question. I am already taking steps now to do everything I can to help protect those jobs and defend the families involved!

As a county commissioner, I have seen how important basic services such as police and fire departments are to our communities. Having consistency of funding locally provides stability for hardworking families. As a teacher, see the challenges and complexity of education these days, and how teachers are expected to do so much more than teach, and how important that role is in our community. As a small business owner, I appreciate the need for a pro-business climate.

I have a special focus for senior issues because of a lady named “Betty.” She was a widow, had many complicated needs, and lived alone. Through listening to her, we became friends, and I learned that many issues today that seem minor to families may be devastating to a single widow living alone on a fixed income. If we as a society want to honor and value our elders, this includes being sensitive to legislation or economic factors that threaten their ability to live in their own homes as they age.

I have a sensitivity and ear for mental health issues and special education challenges as well.

5. What do you anticipate being the biggest difference serving as a legislator compared with your experience as a local official?

The biggest challenge will be finding that new balance of my family, the community events, work and needed issues research for the district.

6. How has your previous career, political or private sector, shaped the legislator you will be?

As a teacher and commissioner, I think being a good listener is key. I know that money only goes so far, and that because of this, budget decisions are always difficult. As a community volunteer, I see firsthand every day the need for government to be as efficient as possible, so that the resources we have can get to as many families as possible. I see fiscal responsibility as a moral obligation- to be a good steward of tax dollars.

7. What one thing would you like to highlight that makes your district special?

Without a doubt, I see our greatest strength as our ability to work together, take care of each other, and do good things, despite our political differences. I understand that helping families thrive, businesses be successful, and schools do their jobs is all related to knitting together a successful community! We do that already, and I am honored to be a conduit of local concerns and opinions to Lansing.

8. What are some of your favorite activities to participate in on your free time?

Volunteering, cooking for my family, reading Historical biographies, picking fruit in season with my kids.

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