Andrew Fink Explained

Office:Member of the Michigan House of Representatives
Term Start:January 1, 2021
Predecessor:Eric Leutheuser
Successor:Jennifer Wortz
Constituency:58th district (2021–2022)
35th district (2023–present)
Birth Name:Andrew Frederick Fink[1]
Birth Date:30 July 1985
Birth Place:Ypsilanti, Michigan, U.S.
Education:Hillsdale College (BA)
University of Michigan (JD)

Andrew Frederick Fink (born July 30, 1985) is an American politician serving as a member of the Michigan House of Representatives since 2021, currently representing the 35th district. A member of the Republican Party, Fink was a candidate in the 2024 Michigan Supreme Court election.

Early life, education, and legal career

Fink was born on July 30, 1985, in Superior Township, Washtenaw County, Michigan.[2] He received a bachelor's degree in politics from Hillsdale College and a J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School.[2] He was a member of the United States Marine Corps Judge Advocate Division from 2011 to 2014.[2]

In 2017, he moved from Ypsilanti to Hillsdale, where he ran a satellite office of his family's law firm, Fink and Fink, PLLC. He was district director for Mike Shirkey, a Republican member of the Michigan State Senate and the Senate Majority Leader,[2] [3] from January 2019 to January 2020.[3] Fink is a member of the Federalist Society, the American Legion, and was a commissioner-at-large for the State Bar of Michigan.[2]

Political career

In the 2020 Republican primary for the Michigan House of Representatives, District 58,[4] Fink ran against farmer Andy Welden, realtor Daren Wiseley, and Hillsdale Mayor Adam Stockford.[5] The district covers Hillsdale County and Branch; incumbent Eric Leutheuser could not run for reelection due to term limits.[6] Of the 16,881 total votes in the August 2020 Republican primary, Fink received 6,520 votes (38.62%), Welden 4,310 votes (25.53%); Wiseley 3,126 votes (18.52%), and Stockford 2,925 votes (17.33%).[4]

During his 2020 campaign, Fink took the position that Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer's actions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Michigan were unconstitutional.[7] His primary campaign was supported by Citizens for Energizing Michigan's Economy (CEME), a 501(c)(4) "dark money" group related to Consumers Energy, which ran several mailers and ads in favor of Fink.[7] [8]

In the general election, Fink faced Democratic nominee Tamara Barnes of Coldwater, a director of the Kalamazoo Valley Museum.[9] [10] Fink won 71.22% of the vote (30,208 votes) and Barnes 28.78% of the vote (12,208 votes).[11]

Upon taking office,[12] [13] Fink was assigned to the House Appropriations, Military and Veterans Affairs and State Police; and Health Policy committees.[2]

After redistricting, in 2022, Fink was elected to the 35th district.[14]

In September 2023, Fink announced his candidacy for the Michigan Supreme Court.[15]

Personal life

Fink lives in Adams Township. He is married to Lauren Grover[16] and has five children.[2]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Meet Andrew .
  2. https://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2021-2022/michiganmanual/2021-MM-Chapter3.pdf State Representative ANDREW FINK (R–58th Representative District)
  3. Web site: 2020-02-17. Meet Andrew Fink - 58th District Representative - Republican Candidate. 2020-12-24. WSYM. en.
  4. Web site: August 2020 Michigan Primary Election Results. Michigan Secretary of State.
  5. Web site: Mullins. Julia. 2020-08-26. Hillsdale primary results: Fink, Hodshire see Aug. victories, look to November general election. 2020-12-24. Hillsdale Collegian. en-US.
  6. https://www.mlive.com/public-interest/2021/01/whos-new-in-the-michigan-house-of-representatives.html Who's new in the Michigan House of Representatives
  7. Web site: Fry. Sam. GOP state legislative candidates answer questions at debate. July 28, 2020. Hillsdale Daily News.
  8. Web site: Fry. Sam. Consumers Energy-funded nonprofit spending big in District 58 House race. 2020-12-24. Hillsdale Daily News. en.
  9. Web site: Measel. Jim. Third time around for Walberg-Driskell, Fink vs. Barnes for 58th House Seat. 2020-12-24. WTVB. en.
  10. Web site: Bohl. James. 2020-10-15. Meet the candidates: Tamara Barnes (D). 2020-12-24. Hillsdale Collegian. en-US.
  11. Web site: November 2020 Michigan General Election Results. Michigan Secretary of State.
  12. Web site: Measel. Jim. Fink sworn in as 58th District State Representative. 2020-12-24. WTVB.
  13. Web site: Measel. Jim. Fink elected as 58th District State House Representative. 2020-12-24. WTVB. en.
  14. Web site: Legislator Details - Andrew Fink . . March 1, 2023.
  15. Web site: State Rep. Andrew Fink running for Michigan Supreme Court seat. September 19, 2023. www.aol.com.
  16. Web site: Andrew Fink: From student to legislator . 10 November 2022 .