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Anistia Thomas

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Anistia Thomas
Image of Anistia Thomas

Democratic Party

Elections and appointments
Last election

August 4, 2020

Education

Bachelor's

School of the Art Institute of Chicago, 2001

Personal
Birthplace
Detroit, Mich.
Religion
Non Denominational
Profession
Business consultant
Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Campaign Twitter

Campaign Instagram

Personal website

Personal Facebook

Personal LinkedIn

Anistia Thomas (Democratic Party) ran for election to the Michigan House of Representatives to represent District 7. She lost in the Democratic primary on August 4, 2020.

Thomas completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Thomas was born in Detroit, Michigan. She earned a bachelor's degree from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 2001. Her professional experience includes working as a business coordinator. Previously she served as a keynote speaker for groups including the United Nations Peace Coalition, the NAACP Freedom Fund Dinner, the Negro Women's Business League, various regional and national summits, and multiple conferences. Thomas was the president emeritus of the Ann Arbor Ypsilanti Black Chamber of Commerce, empowering small business owners to succeed within the community. She has also served as an advisory board member of the Alzheimer's Association and advisory board director for the African American Initiative for Southeast Michigan.[1]

Thomas has also been a member of the Michigan Democratic Party, served as chair of the Highland Park 2020 Census County Committee, served as vice president of the Highland Park Block Club Association (2020 to 2022), served on the Highland Park Public School Academy Board (2020 to 2023), served as an advocate for the Safehouse Center of Michigan. and has served on the board of directors for the Highland Park Business Association. Additionally, Thomas served as a national board director for the National Business League, worked with Rep. Brenda Lawrence (D) on the 14th Congressional District Women's Advisory Board, served as a task force committee member for renewable energy with Soulardarity, and as a task force committee member for the Sustainability Commission Proposal for Highland Park.[1]

Elections

2020

See also: Michigan House of Representatives elections, 2020

General election

General election for Michigan House of Representatives District 7

Helena Scott defeated Kimberly Givens, Ronald Cole, and Anita Belle in the general election for Michigan House of Representatives District 7 on November 3, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Helena Scott
Helena Scott (D) Candidate Connection
 
93.0
 
32,483
Image of Kimberly Givens
Kimberly Givens (Working Class Party)
 
3.5
 
1,224
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Submit photo
Ronald Cole (R)
 
2.3
 
791
Image of Anita Belle
Anita Belle (G)
 
1.2
 
420

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 34,918
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 7

The following candidates ran in the Democratic primary for Michigan House of Representatives District 7 on August 4, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Image of Helena Scott
Helena Scott Candidate Connection
 
36.6
 
5,504
Image of Cynthia Thornton
Cynthia Thornton Candidate Connection
 
18.4
 
2,770
Image of Bernard Thompson
Bernard Thompson Candidate Connection
 
15.4
 
2,311
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Submit photo
Lee Yancy
 
10.5
 
1,585
Image of Anistia Thomas
Anistia Thomas Candidate Connection
 
10.5
 
1,580
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Submit photo
Elene Robinson
 
4.8
 
716
Image of Nyia Bentley
Nyia Bentley Candidate Connection
 
3.8
 
577
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.0
 
1

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 15,044
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 7

Ronald Cole advanced from the Republican primary for Michigan House of Representatives District 7 on August 4, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
✔
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Submit photo
Ronald Cole
 
100.0
 
128

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

Total votes: 128
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.

Green convention

Green convention for Michigan House of Representatives District 7

Anita Belle advanced from the Green convention for Michigan House of Representatives District 7 on June 20, 2020.

Candidate
✔
Image of Anita Belle
Anita Belle (G)

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

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.

Working Class Party convention

Working Class Party convention for Michigan House of Representatives District 7

Kimberly Givens advanced from the Working Class Party convention for Michigan House of Representatives District 7 on July 26, 2020.

Candidate
✔
Image of Kimberly Givens
Kimberly Givens (Working Class Party)

There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source

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 finance

Campaign themes

2020

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Candidate Connection

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

Expand all | Collapse all

My purpose in life is reflected in my work and volunteer experiences over the last two decades. While I've been recognized for my personal accomplishments, they simply reflect my life-long commitment to serve others by using my skillset to improve their lives. They are my 'why' - without them, I am nothing.

I'm a child of Motown and the auto union. A third of my family are union members including my father, who's more well-known as a member of Enchantment. Creative expression and hard-work were instilled in me at an early age.

Since returning to Detroit, I've started for-profit companies and non-profit programs, and have constantly found ways to add value to my community. Aside from the birth of my son, my greatest accomplishment lies in the role I played in helping thousands of entrepreneurs of color gain access to capital to build and grow their businesses. I've engaged in this work at the local, state, and national level working with private, public, and government entities.

All of my experiences, professional background, and all facets of my personal story, good and bad, has prepared me for this next chapter in my life, which is to win my campaign for the Michigan House of Representatives District 7. Now, more than ever, we need effective leadership, and I've always been an activist to effect change.


  • PROTECTION: Elder Protection, Family Advocacy, Environmental Justice, Insurance Rate Affordability, Domestic Violence/Human Trafficking
  • PROGRESSION: Women's Advancement, Child Education Resources, Police Reform
  • PROSPERITY: Affordable Housing for Homeowners and Renters, Small Business Sustainability,
Family advocacy support including affordable child care & digital equity in child education

Insurance Reform Concerning Auto Insurance and Public Healthcare Reform Post COVID-19
Public Infrastructure including Roads, Our Environment, & Public Safety

Equitable access to small business financing opportunities including business education, growth funding and training
Born and raised in Detroit, Anistia Phiaria Thomas embodies the spirit of the city's storied past and has the vision, experience, and leadership skills to create an even brighter future for those who call Detroit home, including her toddler son, Grand. Motown music and unionized labor runs deep in her family background. Anistia is the daughter of Jobie Thomas of the soul/R&B band, Enchantment, and her cousin is Eddie Kendricks of the Temptations. Anistia's father served as a Union Steward for the Sheet Metal Workers for 10 years as a Fitter making automotive body casts for the Big Three, and has been a skilled trades union member for plumbing, electrical, and other unions including the Teamsters. Ms. Thomas' aunt, Lottie Caudle, was a Union member (OPIEU) for over 30 years and retired as the Executive Secretary for Joe Davis in the National UAW Civil Rights Department. Anistia's strong family ties to the auto unions and Motown serve not only as a sense of pride for her and her family, but for all of Detroit. She recognizes the responsibility and duty she has to make a significant impact on the city as her family did in the past for several decades.
I worked as a volunteer for 22 years in the positions aforementioned- not taking any pay for i genuinely care about the change in my community. I am genuinely concerned about community issues, sustainability, and generational wealth building. I earnestly believe that there are workable solutions available which can highlight these issues while working to achieve the following results from across the aisle in the Michigan legislature, in Lansing. I have the expertise, experience, the stamina, the wit and the heart to push effective change for my district. There is action and a tangible realistic plan behind my words. I have a longstanding record of results including having prior creating an insurance exchange for Detroiters - saving up to 62 percent in their auto and home insurance rates, saving 2500 homes from improper foreclosure, being apart of the initiative bringing $1billion in business start up business funding to Detroit, and $205 million in federal dollars already allocated for the future in our district. With my constituents vote, i will be able to have the statewide platform in order to do more and I will.
The core responsibilities for someone elected to the office is to manage the District budget, allocating funding resources for the budget, and utilize the State Representative position to allocate community resources for my District- these are characteristics and actions i have been able to perform without the title.
I would like to see more leaders that represent diversity in the legislature. As an African American woman i would like to encourage more effective African American Women to run for office to represent and work in legislature.
When President Barack Obama became President of the United States. I was in New York then and i remember the streets where everyone in the city celebrated - it was a phenomenal. My 94 year grandmother always told me we would have an African American President- she died a few months before he won the election. When Obama was a candidate, i met him and had dinner with him- though it more than likely was the first historical moment in my life- it's the only one i can remember that has had the impact it has on memory.
Anistia got involved in the fashion design business as an intern in Los Angeles where she designed prints for Grammy-winning entertainers. From there, she started her own fashion design business where she worked with the same clientele, consisting of Hollywood's elite. Her success was well-documented as her designs were worn by celebrities and featured in top fashion magazines, commercials, and advertisements. However, at 19, many of the intricacies of the business-side of fashion were foreign to her. Anistia was largely the only black person at the table, let alone only black woman. This left her with no mentorship or guidance from more senior professionals in the industry. But considering the success she had in such a short period of time, she used her agency and power to help other black and brown kids prepare for corporate opportunities in the fashion business. She started a non-profit in NYC, the fashion capital, and partnered with the New York Department of Education to ensure that students of color had opportunities in the world of fashion beyond retail. Hundreds of inner-city youth who had never been outside of their borough secured internships and jobs with high-end fashion designer labels. Aside from the sheer number of students impacted by this program with a reach of over 40,000 students, Anistia's efforts increased the representation of black men in the fashion industry and increased the number of black boys playing baseball in a partnership with Major League Baseball.
Bible- Keeps me grounded

Nonbiblical: The Art of Power- Helps me get insight in how to navigate as an effective leader.

Children's Book that my son and I enjoy: Oh The Places You'll go By Dr. Seusss
Storm, she can control the environment and was married to a Black Panther of Wakanda. Our earth needs more love tending to it.
Mt father's song: It's You That I Need by Enchantment. He is a singer of the 70's Group.
Surviving a Domestic Violent relationship with my former husband who was a Politician in the State legislature. As a result of the incident, it impacted my finances, my career, my mental well being in driving through the politics and press opposition of it all due to him having a political machine of support of such unjust actions against Women. Unfortunately these predatory practices have yet to cease from that end, however I have moved onward and my focus is continuing to help my community, raise my son, and continue to support my loving family.
State governments have limited time and resources to make laws and legislative sessions are not set in scheduling when they occur.
It is beneficial but not required, i also state that it is beneficial for professionals from other facets of professions to lead in government for the expertise and knowledge is beneficial in legislative reform.
The next decade our biggest challenges include our Public infrastructure, Economic Sustainability, Education, Insurance, and Policing Reform.
The ideal relationship is to work together as a team, respecting the differences, listening and engaging in difficult discussions concerning legislative decisions concerning our wonderful State of Michigan.
Yes, Working within the aisle and working across the aisle is imperative in progressing for the betterment of Michigan residents. I am a leader who connects with everyone, and am unafraid of learning new ideals, understanding different perspectives- this is how we become better leaders.
Anistia favors specifying a nonpartisan or bipartisan body to comprise the commission drawing district boundaries.
Appropriations, Insurance and Regulations, Education are ideal for my District.
I am a member of my party's leadership.
MI State Representative Issac Robinson in taking action as a legislator.

MI State Senator Stephanie Chang in being effective in legislation and her balance of motherhood and political career

MI State Representative Kyra Bolden in her consistent communication and connection with her District.
Potentially a Senator, and Congresswoman long term-. I plan to work towards a law degree in 7 years.
I have been going door to door in my district listening and have heard many stories. Some are memories the residents had of growing up knowing my parents and relatives. The most impactful was listening to a resident who found out that he averaged over $6600 in improper property tax forelclosure per year over the past 6-7 years or so. He stated that he was not aware until the article came out regarding the $600 million overtaxation under the Detroit Mayor's office administration. He expressed his disdain as to why there will not be any refunds nor any reprieve for an overcharge. This resident's home needs roof repair and doesn't have the means to do so. i heard many stories like this throughout my community canvass.

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.

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Footnotes

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on June 30, 2020


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