Laurel Abraham (R), East Grand Rapids, Kent
Laurel has spent more than a decade working for nonprofits, at the local, state, and national level. Her career has seen a win at the U.S. Supreme Court and taken her across the country, meeting state lawmakers in Michigan and nationwide. She currently serves as the Vice President of Development and Marketing at the Franklin News Foundation, dedicated to providing communities with fact-based local news coverage. Laurel volunteers with the county GOP and supports community nonprofits. She earned her master’s degree from George Washington University and currently lives in Grand Rapids with her husband and two children.
Sean Bertolino (R), Williamston, Ingham
Sean is currently the Community Engagement Director with Americans for Prosperity – Michigan. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Telecommunications from Michigan State University. Sean has been a City Councilman and Mayor Pro-Tem for the City of Williamston and currently serves on several non-profits including the Williamston Kiwanis, Ele’s Place Race Committee, and the Michigan Children’s Trust Fund as a past Board Member and current member of the Advisory Committee.
Elizabeth Crenshaw (D), East Lansing, Ingham
Elizabeth current serves as Constituent Services and District Director for Senator Jeremy Moss. Prior to her role, she was the Communications Director for State Senator Adam Hollier. She is a graduate of Michigan State University. Elizabeth has over a decade of experience working in communications and public health. She has also worked collaboratively to find solutions to health and social inequities to inform healthcare programs and policy development and address racial disparities in communities.
Amy Dehner (R), AuGres, Arenac
Amy is currently the Chief Security Officer and Director of Global Corporate Security at Steelcase, Inc. She received her Master’s degree from American Military University in Strategic Intelligence. Amy served 20 years with the Michigan State Police, retiring as Chief Deputy Director. She is a veteran of the Michigan Army National Guard and is an active member of Veterati where she serves as mentor for military members who are transitioning into civilian careers.
Jonathan Demers (I), Detroit, Wayne
Jonathan serves as in-house legal counsel with the City of Detroit. He counsels City officials and services a range of real estate matters, public space enhancements, and other economic development projects. Jonathan is also the Board President of MACC Development, a founding partner of Taproot Investments, and a member of the Anti-Defamation League Michigan Regional Board, the Detroit Bar Association Editorial Board, and the Mack Avenue Community Church Elder Board. He graduated from Wayne State University Law School, cum laude. Jonathan is an avid runner, and his family are proud residents of Detroit’s Pingree Park neighborhood.
Danielle El-Amin(D), Detroit, Wayne
Danielle is currently an Equity Consultant at Kelley- Cawthorne, a bipartisan government advocacy firm based in Lansing, where she leads the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion consulting practice. Prior to that, Danielle worked in the Executive Office of Governor Whitmer serving as Advisor to Lt. Governor Gilchrist II. She received her bachelor’s degree in Political Theory and Constitutional Democracy from Michigan State University. She also received her certificate in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion through Cornell University.
Morgan Foreman (D), Ypsilanti, Washtenaw
Morgan currently is the Constituent Services Director for State Rep. Felicia Brabec. She is a driven civic leader with over 14 years of community development and outreach, regional program development and implementation, organizational capacity expansion and management, and team leadership experience. Morgan was elected as a precinct delegate in Ypsilanti township in 2022, and is on the County Committee of the Washtenaw County Democratic Party. She currently serves on the Zoning Board of Appeals in Ypsilanti Township. Additionally, she is a proud member of Zeta Amicae of Zeta Phi Beta, Sorority Incorporated, The Ann Arbor NAACP and Ypsilanti Rotary Club. Morgan is a recent graduate of the Michigan Educational Policy Fellowship Program, an avid reader and the mom of two schnauzers.
Nate Gillespie (R), Grand Rapids, Kent
Nate is currently an Associate at industrial private equity firm Auxo Investment Partners. He recently served as campaign manager for Drew Robbins' campaign for Grand Rapids City Commission. Nate received his Bachelor's degree in Economics and Finance from Grand Valley State University. He currently leads the Grand Rapids chapter of the American Conservation Coalition and 616 Service, an organization with a mission to increase participation in volunteerism to solve community challenges at a grassroots level.
Amaad Hardy (I), Grand Rapids, Kent
Amaad is a Policy consultant and advocate based in Grand Rapids. Graduating from Western Michigan in 2014. He focuses on administrative and legislative policy structures and works closely with a variety of community organizations on issues of civil rights and equity. He has a background in government affairs and was legislative assistant for the Michigan House of Representatives. His current work is Director of Policy and Engagement for the Greater Grand Rapids NAACP.
Christina Hines (D), Warren, Macomb
Christina is currently the Chief of the Special Victims Unit and Appeals at the Washtenaw County Prosecutor’s Office. Christina also oversees the Sexual Assault Kit Initiative and helped to create and implement the Restorative Justice Program at the Prosecutor’s Office. She received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan and her law degree from Wayne State University Law School. Christina is a Council Member on the Criminal Law Section, where she Chairs the Legislation, Rules, and Jury Instructions Committee. Christina is also the President of the Women of Warren organization.
Erin Keith, Esq. (D), Detroit, Wayne
Erin currently serves as Managing Policy Counsel for the Detroit Justice Center, where she leads the organization’s advocacy and legislative strategies to transform the criminal legal system. Erin has worked on critical issues, including cash bail reform, eliminating excessive fines and fees, divesting from incarceration to fund community reinvestment, and police accountability. In addition, Erin has shared her political commentary and/or written editorials on various outlets, including CNN, NPR, WDET, and USA Today. Erin graduated summa cum laude from Howard University with her B.A. in Political Science and from Georgetown Law with her J.D. and LL.M. She is a member of the State Bar of Michigan and the District of Columbia Bar.
Rob Lockett (D), Detroit, Wayne
Rob is currently the National Team Leader for Housing Stability with Rocket Community Fund (RCF), the philanthropic partner of Rocket Companies (NYSE: RKT). Prior to joining RCF, Rob held Senior Executive roles in Healthcare and Real Estate Development. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Public Administration and Urban Studies from the Andrew Young School of Policy Studies at Georgia State University, and an Executive Master of Business Administration degree from the Roberto Goizueta Business School at Emory University. Rob is also an active non-profit board member and consultant, serving Wayne County CASA, 100 Black Men of Greater Detroit, and the SASHA Center.
Robert Lulgjuraj (R), Troy, Oakland
Robert is currently a Prosecuting Attorney for the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office, with trial experience prosecuting a wide range of crimes including: controlled substances, firearms, assaults, and other violent felonies. Robert attended Holy Cross College in Notre Dame, Indiana. Robert was elected and served as the Student Body President. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Business and Philosophy in 2015. Robert earned a Juris Doctor from University of Detroit Mercy School of Law in 2020. Robert was the Youth Chair of the Macomb County Republican Party from 2015-2017.
Monica Palmer (R), St. Jospeh, Berrien
Monica is currently the finance business analyst supporting Experity's sales and marketing teams. She received her Bachelor's Degree in Accounting Information Management from Davenport University. Monica is currently serving as the Executive Director for League of Our Own and sits on the MI Leadership Committee for The Policy Circle.
Mark Payne, Jr. (D), Detroit, Wayne
Mark is the Chief of Staff/Legislative Director in the Office of Councilman Fred Durhal. Mark received his Bachelor's degree in Teacher Education from Eastern Michigan University. Mark also spent time working in Lansing as Legislative Director. Mark is the President of Cortland Street Block Club. Mark loves to spend time at Michigan's State Parks.
Josh Przygocki (R), Paw Paw, Van Buren
Josh is a lifelong Michigander originally from Hillsdale where his family has been involved in the foodservice industry for several decades. He earned a Bachelor of Science focusing on politics and biology from Hillsdale College. Josh started in politics managing Senator Aric Nesbitt’s first campaign for the Michigan Senate and currently works as the Senator’s district director. He serves as chairman of the Van Buren County Republican Executive Committee and has served in local government.
Meghan Reckling (R), Webberville, Livingston
Meghan currently serves as the Chief of Staff to Senator Lana Theis and is the Founding Partner of Victory Graphics and Consulting. She attended Michigan State University to study Political Science and went on to a nearly 20-year career in both the Michigan State House and the Michigan State Senate. From 2018 until 2023, Meghan served as the Chair of the Livingston County Republican Party and was a member of the Michigan Republican Party's State Committee. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Livingston County Foundation and the Second Chance Support Network. In her spare time, Meghan enjoys spending time with her family, volunteering as a Mentor with the Reaching Higher Program, and coaching youth sports.
Gabriel Rodriguez-Garriga (I), Dewitt, Clinton
Gabe is currently the Vice President of Strategy at Business Leaders for Michigan. He received his Bachelor’s in Mathematics and Economics from the University of Michigan and his Master’s in Business Administration from Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He currently serves on Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Potter Park Zoological Society boards. In his spare time, Gabe enjoys spending time with his wife and family, and University of Michigan football.
Merek Roman (R), Traverse City, Grand Traverse
Merek is currently working as an executive with a start-up petroleum company Northern Michigan. He received his Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from Michigan State University, a Master of Science in Applied Economics from Johns Hopkins University, and a Certificate in Commodities from the University of Colorado at Denver. He currently serves on the Networks Northwest Board, and the Grand Traverse County Economic Development Corporation Board and is active in his local neighborhood association. He is an active member of his local Boy Scout Troop and Toastmasters International.
Christopher Samp (D), Troy, Oakland
Christopher is the Director of the Office of Disability Affairs for the City of Detroit. Before taking on the role, Christopher worked for several nonprofit organizations, in higher education, and the legislative government. His legislative experience includes having worked for U.S. Senator Kirsten E. Gillibrand and U.S. Senator Richard J. Durbin. He currently serves as a board member for the National Technical Institute for the Deaf Alumni Association (NTIDAA). Christopher’s life-long commitment to advocacy for social justice and disability rights stems from his personal experiences as a Deaf person, and he is passionate about community service. Christopher earned both B.S. and M.S. degrees in Public Policy from Rochester Institute of Technology. He speaks English and American Sign Language.
Brooke Scott (I), Oxford, Oakland
Brooke is a Government Affairs Coordinator at Magna International. She holds a bachelor’s degree in International Relations and Spanish from Oakland University. She has completed internships with U.S. Senator Gary Peters, the Mexican Consulate in Detroit, and at Dunaskiss Consulting and Development. She also served as a campaign volunteer for Elissa Slotkin for Congress. Brooke is currently a member of Leadership Detroit Class XLIII and an Internal Brand Coordinator for Magna’s Women eXchange at Magna.
Barry Szczesny (R), Bloomfield Hills, Oakland
Barry is currently the State Policy Manager for Savion, LLC. In his current role, Barry lobbies on behalf of Savion in multiple states across the country including Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and North Dakota. Barry had previously worked as Legislative Director for Rep. Steve Marino and as a Legislative Aide to Senator John Proos. Barry graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and is currently pursuing his Master’s degree in Public Policy at Northeastern University in Boston.
Katlin Viar (R), Farmington Hills, Oakland
Katlin is currently a Caucus Services Specialist with the Michigan State Senate. She received her bachelor’s degree in Political Science and American Public Policy from Western Michigan University. Katlin has worked for State Senator Michael MacDonald and as a Field Director for the Michigan Republican Party and Republican National Committee.