Pappageorge announces candidacy for Michigan Senate

Fixing Michigan at top of agenda

TROY — State Sen. John Pappageorge today announced his candidacy for the 13th District seat in the Michigan Senate and launched his new campaign Web site, peopleforpappageorge.com.

The 13th state Senate District is entirely within Oakland County, including the communities of Troy, Bloomfield Township, Bloomfield Hills, Birmingham, Royal Oak, Clawson, Berkley and Madison Heights. 

“I have decided to run for the Senate because we must fix Michigan. Lansing needs leaders willing to make the tough decisions necessary to bring back jobs and streamline government. I have been frustrated by a corrosive culture that puts politics over people, but I am focusing my energy on a reform agenda that makes state government fit with our new reality in the 21st century,” Pappageorge said. 

“These are turbulent times in Michigan, but we can do better and I am not going to quit until the Michigan I envision – one with a thriving economy, where jobs are abundant and state government is leaner – is a reality.” 

While it has been an unprecedented period in Michigan’s history, Pappageorge has tackled big projects and achieved real results. On job creation, Pappageorge has been second to none in the Michigan Senate. 

Pappageorge’s accomplishments include:

• Sponsoring legislation that helped create an entire new industry of advanced battery technology and manufacturing in Michigan. The state recently touted that his legislation is responsible for 8,000 new jobs in Michigan and more than $5 billion of new business investment.
• Being recognized by the Michigan Chamber of Commerce in 2008 as a “Champion of Commerce” for his efforts to improve Michigan’s job climate and economic competitiveness.
• Demonstrating a keen understanding of his district and willingness to fight for Oakland County’s fair share of funding as well. He has been the most active and vocal leader in the state to restore “20j” education funding vetoed by the governor last year in a move that disproportionately hurts Oakland County students.
• He successfully lobbied the Michigan Department of Transportation to conduct a study regarding statewide traffic patterns that could significantly increase road funding to Oakland County in future years.

“I am proud of our accomplishments over the past three and a half years, but there is still so much more work to be done to build a better Michigan,” Pappageorge said. “I am eager to share my ideas of common sense reform and leaner, more responsible government with the voters.” 

Pappageorge is seeking his second term to the Senate. A Michigan native, he is a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. For 30 years he served active duty in the U.S. Army Infantry, including two combat tours in Vietnam. Pappageorge retired as a colonel from the Army in 1984.

Following his military service, Pappageorge was named director of business and strategic planning with General Dynamics Land Systems. He continued his public service to the residents of Oakland County as county commissioner and state representative. Pappageorge was elected to the Senate in 2006, where he serves on the Appropriations and Finance committees. 

He and his wife Cristina have made their home in Troy for more than 25 years. For more information, please visit peopleforpappageorge.com.

CONTACT: Justin Winslow

248-320-5507 

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Paid for by John Pappageorge for State Senate, 573 Paris Ave. Lansing, MI 48910