Margaret O'Brien
| Margaret O'Brien | ||
 | ||
| Michigan House of Representatives District 61 | ||
| Incumbent | ||
| In office | ||
| January 1, 2011-Present | ||
| Term ends | ||
| January 1, 2015 | ||
| Years in position | 2 | |
| Party | Republican | |
| Compensation | ||
| Base salary | $71,685/year | |
| Per diem | $10,800 yearly expense allowance | |
| Elections and appointments | ||
| Last election | November 6, 2012 | |
| First elected | November 2, 2010 | |
| Next election | November 4, 2014 | |
| Term limits | 3 terms | |
| Education | ||
| Bachelor's | James Madison College at Michigan State University, 1996 | |
| Personal | ||
| Birthday | November 20, 1973 | |
| Place of birth | Kalamazoo, MI | |
| Profession | Real Estate Agent | |
| Religion | Protestant | |
| Websites | ||
| Office website | ||
| Campaign website | ||
 | ||
Contents |
O'Brien is a volunteer for Catholic Family Services and has served as such since her graduation from college. She is also a real estate agent for REMAX Advantage Realty.
O'Brien graduated from Michigan State University.
Issues
Campaign themes
O'Brien's website highlights the following campaign themes:[1]
Jobs
- Excerpt:"We need to turn Michigan's economy around by creating a better business climate. I will work to reduce burdensome taxes and regulations that send our jobs out of our state."
Tax Reform
- Excerpt:"We need to find a better way to fund essential government services. We need to overhaul our tax structure, not merely change it by moving numbers around as we did with the Michigan Business Tax."
Fiscal Responsibility
- Excerpt:"I will be a good steward of your tax dollars. As a small business owner, I understand how to budget and how to make painful cuts during difficult times. I understand the negative consequences we experience when our taxes increase. I will make the tough decisions"
Education
- Excerpt:"I will advocate for children getting a solid education in the public, private and home school systems. I will fight to maintain parental control for their children's education."
Energy
- Excerpt:"We must continue to provide opportunities for all sources of energy to compete."
Committee assignments
2013-2014
At the beginning of the 2013 legislative session, O'Brien served on the following committees:
| Michigan Committee Assignments, 2012 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| • Insurance | ||||
| • Oversight | ||||
| • Tax Policy, Vice-chair | ||||
| • Transportation and Infrastructure | ||||
2011-2012
In the 2011-2012 legislative session, O'Brien served on these committees:
| Michigan Committee Assignments, 2011 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| • Education | ||||
| • Families and Children's Services | ||||
| • Insurance | ||||
| • Tax Policy | ||||
Issues
Presidential preference
2012
Margaret O'Brien endorsed Mitt Romney in the 2012 presidential election. [2]
Elections
2012
O'Brien won election in the 2012 election for Michigan House of Representatives District 61. He was unopposed in the August 7 Republican primary and defeated Michael Martin (D) in the general election which took place on November 6, 2012.[3]
| Michigan House of Representatives, District 61, General Election, 2012 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Republican |  Michael Martin Incumbent |
58.2% | 27,726 | |
| Democratic | Margaret O'Brien | 41.8% | 19,876 | |
| Total Votes | 47,602 | |||
2010
O'Brien won election to the District 61 Seat in 2010. She had no primary opposition. She defeated Thomas Batten (D) in the general election on November 2, 2010.
| Michigan House of Representatives, District 61 General election (2010) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | |||
| Margaret O'Brien (R)'
|
21,919 | |||
| Thomas Batten (D) | 13,671 | |||
Campaign donors
Comprehensive donor information for O'Brien is available dating back to 2008. Based on available campaign finance records, O'Brien raised a total of $132,727 during that time period. This information was last updated on June 11, 2013.[4]
| Margaret O'Brien's Campaign Contribution History | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Office | Result | Contributions | |
| 2012 | Michigan State House, District 61 |  |
$56,046 | |
| 2010 | Michigan State House, District 61 | |
$44,855 | |
| 2008 | Michigan State House, District 61 |  |
$31,826 | |
| Grand Total Raised | $132,727 | |||
2012
O'Brien won re-election to the Michigan House of Representatives in 2012. During that election cycle, O'Brien raised a total of $56,046.
| Michigan House of Representatives 2012 election - Campaign Contributions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top contributors to Margaret O'Brien's campaign in 2012 | ||||
| Michigan Republican Party | $3,582 | |||
| Michigan Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association | $2,464 | |||
| Michigan Association Of Realtors | $2,384 | |||
| Michigan Physical Therapy Association | $2,100 | |||
| Blue Cross Blue Shield Of Michigan | $2,000 | |||
| Total Raised in 2012 | $56,046 | |||
| Source:Follow the Money | ||||
2010
O'Brien won election to the Michigan House of Representatives in 2010. During that election cycle, O'Brien raised a total of $44,855.
| Michigan House of Representatives 2010 election - Campaign Contributions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top contributors to Margaret O'Brien's campaign in 2010 | ||||
| O'Brien, Margaret | $8,000 | |||
| Michigan Association Of Realtors | $2,500 | |||
| Michigan Chamber of Commerce | $1,000 | |||
| Comm-PAC | $1,000 | |||
| Bolger Restore Michigan Fund | $1,000 | |||
| Total Raised in 2010 | $44,855 | |||
| Source:Follow the Money | ||||
2008
O'Brien lost the election to the Michigan House of Representatives in 2008. During that election cycle, O'Brien raised a total of $31,826.
| Michigan House of Representatives 2008 election - Campaign Contributions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top contributors to Margaret O'Brien's campaign in 2008 | ||||
| O'Brien, Margaret | $10,452 | |||
| Michigan Association of Realtors | $5,000 | |||
| Turf Builders PAC | $1,500 | |||
| Wilson, Mike | $500 | |||
| Michigan Townships Association | $500 | |||
| Total Raised in 2008 | $31,826 | |||
| Source:Follow the Money | ||||
Recent news
This section displays the most recent stories in a google news search for the term Margaret + O'Brien + Michigan + Legislature
- All stories may not be relevant to this page due to the nature of the search engine.
Margaret O'Brien News Feed
- Pets at restaurants? Michigan considers allowing dogs at outdoor dining locations - AnnArbor.com
- Plans Underway to Vote on Legalizing Gay Marriage in Mich. - WLNS
- Michigan roundup for Monday, June 17, 2013 - The Morning Sun
- State Representative introduces legislation to change redistricting process in ... - WKZO
- WMU's Seita Scholars program, pairing former foster children with mentors ... - Mlive Kalamazoo
- Irish Anti-Choicers Furious That Women May Live - Raw Story
- Fine, Would-Be Deadbeat Dads. Here's A Suggestion For You. - Raw Story
- Potential Zimmerman juror expresses safety concerns - Daily Caller
- Lawmaker proposing changes to how district lines are decided - WWMT-TV
- Here is the NSA whistle blower's alleged girlfriend [PHOTOS - Daily Caller]
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Scorecards
Tea Party Scorecard
The Independent Tea Party Patriots, a Michigan Tea Party group, grades the votes of this and every other Michigan legislator on “core tea party issues” in a regularly-updated scorecard. 100% is considered an ideal rating.[5]
January 2011 - March 2012
Margaret O'Brien received a 71% rating on the January 2011 - March 2012 Tea Party Scorecard.[5]
Personal
O'Brien and her husband Nick have two children.
External links
- House website
- Biography from Project Vote Smart
- Legislative profile from Project Vote Smart
- Campaign contributions: 2010
References
- ↑ "margaretobrien," Official Campaign Website
- ↑ Mitt Romney Campaign Website "Mitt Romney Announces Support of Michigan Speaker of The House Jase Bolger and Additional Members of The Michigan Legislature," September 19, 2011
- ↑ Associated Press "Michigan - Summary Vote Results," Accessed August 7, 2012
- ↑ Follow the Money, "Obrien, Margaret E." Retrieved June 11, 2013.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Michigan Votes, "Tea Party Scorecard Jan 2011-Mar 2012," accessed June 25, 2012
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Larry DeShazor (R) |
Michigan House of Representatives District 61 2011–present |
Succeeded by NA |
 |
State of Michigan Lansing (capital) |
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- 2012 endorsement of Mitt Romney for President
- Current member, Michigan House of Representatives
- Republican Party
- 2010 challenger
- House of Representatives candidate, 2010
- 2010 winner
- 2010 candidate
- Michigan
- 2010 open seat
- 2012 incumbent
- House of Representatives candidate, 2012
- 2012 primary (winner)
- 2012 general election (winner)
