Representative Sylvia Santana (D-Detroit) was first elected to the Michigan House of Representatives in November 2016.  She represents the 9^th House District in Wayne County and includes portions of Dearborn and Detroit.

After obtaining her bachelor’s degree from Eastern Michigan University, Representative Santana worked for fifteen years in the financial services industry. The cornerstone of her work was managing loan and funding portfolios designed for local businesses in Detroit to become economically empowered.  Additionally, Representative Santana is an active member of her community, serving on the Warrendale Community Organization.

1.    What attracted you to running for the Legislature?
As an entrepreneur and someone who is interested in economic development, I saw the need for revitalization and redevelopment of my community’s commercial corridors. Coming from a district with high poverty and unemployment rates, I want to do everything possible to promote business and employment opportunities for the residents of the 9th District.

2.    When did you first realize you wanted to be a Democrat?
Being a Democrat is something I feel is embedded from childhood.  I believe in our values of helping the least amongst us with the support they need to get ahead in life when opportunities are scarce.

As a woman of color, raised by a single mother I experienced that struggle up close and personal. I grew up in a home with a single mattress on the bedroom floor and one chair at the kitchen table.  My mother worked a minimum wage job. She struggled so much she made tough decisions to survive and support us.

My father, a veteran of the United States Marine Corps suffered from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and resorted to drug abuse as a form of treatment.  Drug use and mental illness led him to becoming a habitual criminal. He later died in prison.

As a Democrat, I am committed to ensuring proper funding levels for critical programs for the mentally ill, single mothers, and seniors.

a.    What attributes of your party do you most identify with?
My identity as a Democrat stems from single mothers, citizens with felonies, and disenfranchised individuals in our state just want a fair and equal opportunity to earn a respectable living.

3.    What individuals from your community have shaped and prepared you to be a legislator?
My husband, former Representative Harvey Santana. I saw all the great work he had done for our district and felt it would be a shame to not continue building upon those successes. I am also motivated by the stories of single mothers trying to do the best they can under the toughest of circumstances.

4.    What issues would you like to advocate for because of a personal life experience?
I plan on being a strong advocate for women’s issues, children, and seniors. As I indicated earlier, my life experiences as a child were largely driven by what I saw my mother struggle with growing up in Cincinnati, Ohio.  My grandparents played a key role in helping raise me in the church and watching over my well-being.

Today, that scenario has grown in urban communities. I know I can make a difference in our state if I focus on making sure Senior citizens get the help they require, single mothers get the training they need and children are giving the best public services that our tax dollars will allow.

5.    Not having previously served as a public official, what are the greatest expectations you hope are achieved and what situations/scenarios do you hope to avoid?  
I hope to be a leading voice in small business development and play a strong role with economic development in my district.  I hope that my advocacy work for women, children and seniors will be the positive change that I desire them to be.  I hope to avoid partisan gridlock and ideological conflict with my colleagues.

6.    How has your previous career, political or private sector, shaped the legislator you will be?  
Working in the private sector for several years has shaped my abilities in several ways. I strongly believe in having professionalism, vision, and determination to successfully achieve my objectives despite the challenges.   My role as a community leader has helped me develop an understanding of the district’s needs, challenges, and opportunities.

7.    What one thing would you like to highlight that makes your district special?  
My district is home to Rouge Park the largest public park in the city of Detroit. Rouge Park has several amenities including two outdoor Olympic swimming pools, a golf course, an archery range, and the historic Buffalo Soldiers horse stables.  We also have a Boys and Girls Club of Metropolitan Detroit and will soon have a state of the art health clinic for the poor.

8.    What are some of your favorite activities to participate in on your free time?
Roller skating with my kids and spending time with my husband.

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