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Michigan House of Representatives District 11 candidate surveys, 2022
This article shows responses from candidates in the 2022 election for Michigan House of Representatives District 11 who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey.
- Click here to see candidates and election results.
- Click here to see Candidate Connection survey responses.
Candidates and election results
General election
General election for Michigan House of Representatives District 11
Veronica Paiz defeated Mark T. Foster in the general election for Michigan House of Representatives District 11 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Veronica Paiz (D)  | 66.6 | 23,656 |
| Mark T. Foster (R) | 33.4 | 11,882 | ||
| Total votes: 35,538 | |||
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Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses
Ballotpedia asks all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. The section below shows responses from candidates in this race who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
Survey responses from candidates in this race
Click on a candidate's name to visit their Ballotpedia page.
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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Veronica Paiz (D)
I will focus on concerns of residents in State House District 11: legislation for equitable public school funding and equal education; ecologically responsible infrastructure for clean drinking water, to control shoreline flooding and prevent sewage spills into our homes and lake; home repair grants for low income senior homeowners; low cost childcare for working parents; a state recycling program; and safeguarding elections and voting rights. I will also advocate for people with disabilities and seniors, and will address local property tax concerns. I will continue to work with fellow Democrats for the diverse needs of all Michiganders, including expanding food security legislation, repealing “right to work” laws, and ending pension taxes.
Lived experiences that unite this diverse District. Diverse communities have an immediate need for representation by leaders who reflect and understand that diversity. District 11 is both urban and suburban - I have lived in both environments and understand both the various and similar needs of residents. As a woman, a person of color and someone who grew up in a family on public assistance, I also understand the experiences of others with similar identities. I will work for strong legislation that is sensible and equitable to lift up all residents of District 11.
Veronica Paiz (D)
I am passionate about public services legislation, including labor; the quality of our public services reflect the fairness and efficacy of our legislation and our general welfare – we live it and can see it up close and personal in our daily lives and the lives of others. Equally passionate about municipal autonomy. I’ve seen residents bear the brunt of legislation that prevents their city from responding to their needs.
I am passionate about environmental legislation (ergo, zoning legislation), which I believe is just as much about public health and pollution as it is about climate change.
I am passionate about women’s rights – which include the right to body autonomy (and abortion), and any legislation that protects women (such as the Violence Against Women Act, court reform, etc.).
I am passionate about health reform (health and medical accessibility, costs, caretakers, etc.)
The past couple of years I’ve become especially passionate about election law and voting rights, and the urgency of immediate action.
Veronica Paiz (D)
Politically, and more recently, I admire:
Stacey Abrams, U.S. Representatives Katie Porter, and Tim Kaine.
Stacey Abrams for her organizing skills and dedication to voting rights, but just as importantly because she stays focused and keeps her eyes on the prize.
Katie Porter because she doesn’t beat around the bush and just gets down to business real quick (and her advocacy for consumers).
Tim Kaine for his experience and because he’s come up through the political ranks – he has served at every level of government and fully knows and understands how local, state, and federal governments operate.
Personally, I admire my paternal grandfather. He was left at the Mexico - U.S. border when he was a kid, raised himself, met my grandmother while working on a cotton farm, raised 11 kids (9 of his own), and had a successful grocery store business. All of his sons served in the U.S. military. He was hardworking, generous, committed, and a family man.
Veronica Paiz (D)
The duties of a representative are understanding, listening to and collaborating with the people you serve and who elected you, keeping them informed and continuing to be regularly involved with the community.
A core responsibility is to follow through, be mindful, and do right by them – to first work in the best interests of the people and District they were elected to represent. I believe there is a responsibility for due diligence – finding facts and research, consulting for expertise, and collaborating with fellow representatives for perspective and support to pass legislation.
Over my years on the Harper Woods City Council, residents have held me accountable and shown confidence in my work for them; I will continue this work to fulfill both my duties and responsibilities to the people of District 11.
Veronica Paiz (D)
Veronica Paiz (D)
For as terrible a situation it was, it jolted me into awareness of the many ways illness can peripherally wreak havoc in someone’s life and family and their self-identity.
I know these issues, I know others who every day face these and similar challenges themselves or in trying to get care and support for a family member. It has prompted my interest in health and insurance legislation, even labor issues for caretakers and healthcare workers.
Veronica Paiz (D)
Any legislator should start the job already having been active in the community and working on the people’s behalf; there’s no time for a possibly risky learning curve.
Veronica Paiz (D)
In the case of Michigan State House Districts’ over 100 representatives, we need to learn about and understand common (or not) concerns and issues of all Michiganders. Also, building alliances offers a diversity of perspectives and can make us aware of challenges of other people throughout the State, which can lead to positive and comprehensive legislation.
Veronica Paiz (D)
However, for as much as I believe in a means to an end, I also believe that good legislation isn’t a compromise of values or the integrity of the people I would represent. There may be times when compromise isn’t in the best interest of the people of District 11.
See also
More about these elections:
Select a district below to read responses from candidates in those races:
