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Angela Witwer

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Angela Witwer
Image of Angela Witwer
Michigan House of Representatives District 76
Tenure

2023 - Present

Term ends

2027

Years in position

2

Prior offices
Michigan House of Representatives District 71
Predecessor: Tom Barrett

Compensation

Base salary

$71,685/year

Per diem

No per diem is paid. Legislators receive an expense allowance of $10,800/year for session and interim.

Elections and appointments
Last elected

November 5, 2024

Education

Bachelor's

Northwood University

Personal
Birthplace
Traverse City, Mich.
Religion
Catholic
Profession
Business owner
Contact

Angela Witwer (Democratic Party) is a member of the Michigan House of Representatives, representing District 76. She assumed office on January 1, 2023. Her current term ends on January 1, 2027.

Witwer (Democratic Party) ran for re-election to the Michigan House of Representatives to represent District 76. She won in the general election on November 5, 2024.

Biography

Angela Witwer was born in Traverse City, Michigan. Witwer earned a bachelor's degree from Northwood University. Her career experience includes co-owning and operating Edge Partnerships and working with Sparrow Health System. Witwer served on the Waverly Community Schools Board of Education and has been affiliated with the American Cancer Society, Boys and Girls Club, the McLaren Greater Lansing Foundation, the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce Economic Club, the Wharton Center for Performing Arts, Volunteers of America, St. Gerard Catholic Church, Michigan State University, and the Small Business Association of Michigan.[1]

The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.


Elections

2024

See also: Michigan House of Representatives elections, 2024

General election

General election for Michigan House of Representatives District 76

Incumbent Angela Witwer defeated Andy Shaver in the general election for Michigan House of Representatives District 76 on November 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Angela Witwer
Angela Witwer (D)
 
52.1
 
28,229
Image of Andy Shaver
Andy Shaver (R) Candidate Connection
 
47.9
 
25,958

Total votes: 54,187
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Michigan House of Representatives District 76

Incumbent Angela Witwer advanced from the Democratic primary for Michigan House of Representatives District 76 on August 6, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Angela Witwer
Angela Witwer
 
100.0
 
9,235

Total votes: 9,235
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Republican primary election

Republican primary for Michigan House of Representatives District 76

Andy Shaver defeated Peter Jones in the Republican primary for Michigan House of Representatives District 76 on August 6, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Andy Shaver
Andy Shaver Candidate Connection
 
85.2
 
6,612
Peter Jones
 
14.8
 
1,148

Total votes: 7,760
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Campaign finance

Endorsements

Witwer received the following endorsements.

  • Michigan League of Conservation Voters

2022

See also: Michigan House of Representatives elections, 2022

General election

General election for Michigan House of Representatives District 76

Incumbent Angela Witwer defeated Jeremy Whittum in the general election for Michigan House of Representatives District 76 on November 8, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Angela Witwer
Angela Witwer (D)
 
55.7
 
24,774
Jeremy Whittum (R)
 
44.3
 
19,667

Total votes: 44,441
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Michigan House of Representatives District 76

Incumbent Angela Witwer advanced from the Democratic primary for Michigan House of Representatives District 76 on August 2, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Angela Witwer
Angela Witwer
 
100.0
 
8,940

Total votes: 8,940
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Republican primary election

Republican primary for Michigan House of Representatives District 76

Jeremy Whittum advanced from the Republican primary for Michigan House of Representatives District 76 on August 2, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Jeremy Whittum
 
100.0
 
8,058

Total votes: 8,058
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Campaign finance

2020

See also: Michigan House of Representatives elections, 2020

General election

General election for Michigan House of Representatives District 71

Incumbent Angela Witwer defeated Gina Johnsen and Dalton McCuiston in the general election for Michigan House of Representatives District 71 on November 3, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Angela Witwer
Angela Witwer (D) Candidate Connection
 
51.2
 
28,200
Image of Gina Johnsen
Gina Johnsen (R) Candidate Connection
 
47.3
 
26,049
Image of Dalton McCuiston
Dalton McCuiston (G)
 
1.5
 
807

Total votes: 55,056
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Michigan House of Representatives District 71

Incumbent Angela Witwer advanced from the Democratic primary for Michigan House of Representatives District 71 on August 4, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Angela Witwer
Angela Witwer Candidate Connection
 
100.0
 
12,213

Total votes: 12,213
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Republican primary election

Republican primary for Michigan House of Representatives District 71

Gina Johnsen defeated Christine Barnes in the Republican primary for Michigan House of Representatives District 71 on August 4, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Gina Johnsen
Gina Johnsen Candidate Connection
 
51.3
 
5,390
Christine Barnes
 
48.7
 
5,115

Total votes: 10,505
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Green convention

Green convention for Michigan House of Representatives District 71

Dalton McCuiston advanced from the Green convention for Michigan House of Representatives District 71 on June 20, 2020.

Candidate
Image of Dalton McCuiston
Dalton McCuiston (G)

Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Campaign finance

Endorsements

To view Witwer's endorsements in the 2020 election, please [www.voteforangela.com click here].

2018

See also: Michigan House of Representatives elections, 2018

General election

General election for Michigan House of Representatives District 71

Angela Witwer defeated Christine Barnes in the general election for Michigan House of Representatives District 71 on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Angela Witwer
Angela Witwer (D)
 
50.8
 
21,990
Christine Barnes (R)
 
49.2
 
21,299

Total votes: 43,289
(100.00% precincts reporting)
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Michigan House of Representatives District 71

Angela Witwer defeated Beth Bowen and Dominic Natoli in the Democratic primary for Michigan House of Representatives District 71 on August 7, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Angela Witwer
Angela Witwer
 
60.1
 
6,364
Image of Beth Bowen
Beth Bowen
 
32.7
 
3,463
Dominic Natoli
 
7.2
 
764

Total votes: 10,591
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for Michigan House of Representatives District 71

Christine Barnes defeated Chuck Cascarilla, Chris Stewart, and Clarisa Trevino in the Republican primary for Michigan House of Representatives District 71 on August 7, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Christine Barnes
 
42.1
 
4,247
Chuck Cascarilla
 
31.2
 
3,154
Image of Chris Stewart
Chris Stewart
 
21.9
 
2,215
Clarisa Trevino
 
4.8
 
481

Total votes: 10,097
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Angela Witwer did not complete Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.

2022

Angela Witwer did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

2020

Candidate Connection

Angela Witwer completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Witwer's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

I worked 22 years at Sparrow Health System both in the clinical arena and administration.

For the past 13 years, I have co-owned and successfully operated Edge Partnerships. Edge is a full-service branding, marketing, advertising, public-relations and advocacy business. Edge has been honored with many awards including Entrepreneur of the Year, Pace Awards, Telly Award, Athena Award for Organizational Development, INC 5000, Top 50 Business to Watch. I have served on many volunteer committees and boards including American Cancer Society, Boys and Girls Club, McLaren Greater Lansing Foundation Board, Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce Economic Club, Wharton Center for Performing Arts Board, Volunteers of America Homeless No More Committee and St. Gerard Catholic Church marketing committee. Additionally, I served two terms as an elected Waverly Community Schools Board member where I served six years as the vice president. I am in my first term in the House of Representatives serving district 71. I am a graduate of Waverly Community Schools (within Eaton County) and a Magna Cum Laude graduate of Northwood University. I am married and have two married children and four granddaughters.

Detroit Free Press   Featured local question
Closing the talent gap strategies are outlined on a great PDF: https://www.michigan.gov/documents/ted/MP_Programs_615789_7.pdf - I would concur that we need to create and expand programs, provide career exploration for students, invest in our students, invest in our teachers and review current programs.
Detroit Free Press   Featured local question
Detroit Free Press   Featured local question
The LORA bills have been introduced in the legislature in the past. These bills would finally remove Michigan's outlier status among the 50 states and would make the governor, lieutenant governor and legislators subject to the requirements of the state's Freedom of Information laws (FOIA). This means citizens would have the legal right to request and receive public records from these offices, subject to a number of exemptions.Michigan currently ranks dead last in transparency and this needs to be addressed.
Detroit Free Press   Featured local question
Michigan's budget is impacted in more than a billion dollars. There isn't a way to cut those kind of dollars from our current budget. I would like to see the Federal government help states with stimulus dollars so that major cuts don't need to happen.
Detroit Free Press   Featured local question
In our district people want a variety of different funding models looked into. We need to make every dime spent on the current gasoline tax go to roads, but we need to be able to back fill those dollars that are currently going to education, in another way. Additionally, we need to look at weight limits on our roads as we are an outlier on our weigh limits. People are well aware that we have ignored this big issue for decades. The legislature must quit kicking this can down the road and work together to find an acceptable funding model.
Detroit Free Press   Featured local question
I would like to create a strong alignment and partnership with businesses, community colleges, and higher education to assure a prepared and quality future workforce, and informed and responsible citizens.
I'm passionate about policy that will address the top issues I hear from the people in my district and across Michigan. Healthcare and prescription drug costs are a top issue. I am on the health policy committee. We have passed out of committee and through the house, bills addressing surprise billing. I advocated for these bills both in committee and on the floor and voted yes on all bills in this package. Additionally, I was appointed, by the Governor, to the Opioid Task Force and the Pharmaceutical Task Force to address the issues of transparency. A large issue we are addressing are the costs of prescription drugs so that seniors - and all people - do not have to make the choice between food or rent and getting their medication. I introduced House Bill 5108 to help bring transparency to drug pricing and ultimately lower the price. Additionally, jobs are a top concern. I have worked for policy to protect and to attract more jobs to Michigan. I have advocated and introduced bills for a fairer tax system to put more money in the pockets of Michiganders. I introduced House Bill 4287 to eliminate the pension tax. I have also introduced House Bill 4582 to assist teachers with a credit for the dollars they spend in their classroom.
I look up to many people who have served. Personally, my father was my ultimate role model. He died when I was 18. He had $50 and had just given our car to a family in need. He told us we could get another and this family needed it more than we did. He worked for others and never self. He was my teacher on how to give back to the community and put people first. I additionally loved reading the writings of Mother Teresa. She, too, gave of herself for others. It was just one more reinforcement to always put the needs of the people before all else. I have a quote from her on a lot of my social media: "Do small things with great love." If we all can remember this - have civility - we can make Michigan and the world a better place.
Integrity, honesty, empathy, accountability, confidence, inclusion, positivity, resilience, vision, influence
I want to leave an imprint of civility and compassion on this district and on the world. I want to be known as someone that worked as hard as my Dad to give back to the community that has given me so much. When I say something, I want to be known for doing that also. I want to show my granddaughters and all young people that it is possible to work hard and give back even when the world isn't always civil.
The first major historical event I remember is the Vietnam War. I was 9. My cousin came to our house and I sat with him while he asked for my dad's advice on the draft. My older sisters wore POW bracelets and would read the Lansing State Journal to see if their bracelets name was on the list. I will never forget my family talking about the war and the impact that it had on the men and women who served. My brother-in-law, who was like a dad, served in Vietnam and ultimately died from the effects of the war. These experiences, played a role in my life and the respect I give to our veterans.
I had a few jobs before I was 18 - babysitter, candystriper, Gift & Bible store, but my first main job was at Sparrow Health System. I was there for 22 years. I have been very fortunate, every job I've ever had has been my favorite - including now as a State Representative. Each job had a common thread - serving. I worked in a few departments at Sparrow - Burn Unit, Pediatric Rehabilitation and the longest time was spent in the Community Relations department as the manager overseeing marketing, public relations, advocacy and events.
Before I took office, I was a more voracious reader. I belonged to a book club. My favorite book was and remains Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson. My favorite books and movies are based on experiences that move me. Just Mercy is a true story about calling upon us to fix our broken justice system and racism.
I've had Peace Train by Cat Stevens stuck on my music list:

Now I've been happy lately
Thinking about the good things to come
And I believe it could be
Something good has begun
Oh, I've been smiling lately
Dreaming about the world as one
And I believe it could be
Someday it's going to come

"Cause I'm on the edge of darkness
There ride the Peace Train
Oh, Peace Train take this country
Come take me home again

Now I've been smiling lately,
Thinkin' about the good things to come
And I believe it could be,
Something good has begun

Now I've been crying lately,
Thinkin' about the world as it is
Why must we go on hating
Why can't we live in bliss

We need civility.
I have been very fortunate to have been able to make a goal and get there. I struggled when I was younger with the death of my father. At times, when I attend a breakfast for Ele's Place or children who have experience a loss, it all comes back. The death of a person who has played a major role in your life can make you struggle.
The legislature provides oversight of the executive branch of government through the administrative rules and audit processes, committees, and the budget process; advises and consents, and through the Senate, on gubernatorial appointment. Additionally, the relationship should be open, honest and civil so that we can work together for the people of Michigan.
Yes, it is very beneficial to build relationships throughout the legislature. Anywhere you can have strong relationships, good ideas, good policy is born. Good relationships lead to open discussions about the needs of our communities and help to get partners on board to pass good legislation.
I asked to be appointed to Agriculture and the Health Policy committees for the House of Representatives. I asked for agriculture because I was raised in a farming family and the district I serve is diverse and has a large agriculture community. I wanted to be able to represent and give a voice to the agriculture community along with a large business located in my district - Michigan Farm Bureau. I was the first legislator who brought a sitting Governor to a farm in our district. Our governor toured the farm and discuss the issues facing farming during the 2019 weather disaster. The governor then signed a bill on the farm offering funding options for farmers who were suffering losses. I also serve on health policy. I wanted to serve on health policy because of my lifetime of work in the health arena. I wanted to bring my vast knowledge of healthcare to the committee and ultimately to our community. Health Policy has been working on a package of bills (one I sponsor) for pharmaceutical pricing. One of the top issues I hear from people in our district is they have to choose between groceries or their mortgage payment and their medication. This shouldn't happen and we are working to bring transparency to pricing. Additionally, house policy and just this week the House of Representatives passed a large package of bills to stop "surprise billing" for consumers. This important package will help thousands of people in our state.
Yes. I would like to serve in a capacity to mold policy for our state. I would ultimately like to serve as a chair of a committee.
My mentor during my run for the first term is Representative Donna Lasinski. I share a similar background of business ownership and we both are pragmatic in our decision making.
At this time, I would like to run for the current seat I hold and help other good candidates run for office.
I have two. I was knocking the door in one of the cities in our district. A women answered the door and had a fresh tattoo. She had struggled with her child and suicide. She explained the ordeal they had went through to get help and the lack of long-term support they could receive. They fell in the cracks. They weren't on public assistance and there weren't any beds available. Ultimately their family lost their battle. The state has a very bad lack of available mental health help. Secondly, I met a woman who had muscular sclerosis. She needed medication but the co-payment was $1800 a month. She had to choose her mortgage and groceries over her medication. I will never forget thinking how I would want my medication if I had MS. These two situations drive me every day to fight for better healthcare in Michigan through health policy committee and the State House of Representatives.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

Campaign finance summary


Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.


Angela Witwer campaign contribution history
YearOfficeStatusContributionsExpenditures
2024* Michigan House of Representatives District 76Won general$881,347 $0
2022Michigan House of Representatives District 76Won general$659,107 $0
2020Michigan House of Representatives District 71Won general$721,776 N/A**
2018Michigan House of Representatives District 71Won general$375,775 N/A**
Grand total$2,638,005 N/A**
Sources: OpenSecretsFederal Elections Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
* Data from this year may not be complete
** Data on expenditures is not available for this election cycle
Note: Totals above reflect only available data.

Committee assignments

Note: This membership information was last updated in September 2023. Ballotpedia completes biannual updates of committee membership. If you would like to send us an update, email us at: editor@ballotpedia.org.

2023-2024

Witwer was assigned to the following committees:

2021-2022

Witwer was assigned to the following committees:

2019-2020

Witwer was assigned to the following committees:

Scorecards

See also: State legislative scorecards and State legislative scorecards in Michigan

A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.

Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.

Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states.  To contribute to the list of Michigan scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.


2024


2023


2022


2021


2020


2019






See also


External links

Footnotes

  1. Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on June 26, 2020

Political offices
Preceded by
-
Michigan House of Representatives District 76
2023-Present
Succeeded by
-
Preceded by
Tom Barrett (R)
Michigan House of Representatives District 71
2019-2023
Succeeded by
-


Current members of the Michigan House of Representatives
Leadership
Speaker of the House:Matt Hall
Minority Leader:Ranjeev Puri
Representatives
District 1
District 2
District 3
District 4
District 5
District 6
District 7
District 8
District 9
District 10
District 11
District 12
District 13
Mai Xiong (D)
District 14
District 15
District 16
District 17
District 18
District 19
District 20
District 21
District 22
District 23
District 24
District 25
District 26
District 27
District 28
District 29
District 30
District 31
District 32
District 33
District 34
District 35
District 36
District 37
District 38
District 39
District 40
District 41
District 42
Matt Hall (R)
District 43
District 44
District 45
District 46
District 47
District 48
District 49
District 50
District 51
District 52
District 53
District 54
District 55
District 56
District 57
District 58
District 59
District 60
District 61
District 62
District 63
District 64
District 65
District 66
District 67
District 68
District 69
District 70
District 71
District 72
District 73
District 74
Kara Hope (D)
District 75
District 76
District 77
District 78
District 79
District 80
District 81
District 82
District 83
District 84
District 85
District 86
District 87
District 88
District 89
District 90
District 91
District 92
District 93
Tim Kelly (R)
District 94
District 95
District 96
District 97
District 98
District 99
District 100
Tom Kunse (R)
District 101
District 102
District 103
District 104
John Roth (R)
District 105
District 106
District 107
District 108
District 109
District 110
Republican Party (58)
Democratic Party (52)