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Nyia Bentley
From Ballotpedia
This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.
Nyia Bentley (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.
Bentley completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Nyia Bentley was born in Detroit, Michigan. She received a bachelor's degree from Bowling Green State University in 2016. Bentley's professional experience includes working as a legal assistant and paralegal.[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 | ||
| ✔ |  | Helena Scott (D)  | 93.0 | 32,483 |
 | Kimberly Givens (Working Class Party) | 3.5 | 1,224 | |
| Ronald Cole (R) | 2.3 | 791 | ||
 | Anita Belle (G) | 1.2 | 420 | |
| Total votes: 34,918 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
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 | ||
| ✔ | | Helena Scott | 36.6 | 5,504 |
 | Cynthia Thornton | 18.4 | 2,770 | |
 | Bernard Thompson | 15.4 | 2,311 | |
| Lee Yancy | 10.5 | 1,585 | ||
 | Anistia Thomas | 10.5 | 1,580 | |
| Elene Robinson | 4.8 | 716 | ||
 | Nyia Bentley | 3.8 | 577 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.0 | 1 | ||
| Total votes: 15,044 | |||
| = 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 | ||
| ✔ | Ronald Cole | 100.0 | 128 | |
| Total votes: 128 | |||
| = 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 | ||
| ✔ | | Anita Belle (G) |
| ||||
| = 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 | ||
| ✔ | | Kimberly Givens (Working Class Party) |
| ||||
| = 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
Nyia Bentley completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2020. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Bentley's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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I am running for state representative to invest more in black-owned and small businesses, quality education, and healthy food access.
I earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Bowling Green State Univerisity (BGSU) where I studied Pre-law, Creative Writing, and Philosophy. While attending BGSU, I led as BGSU's Law Society President, marched for women's rights alongside my peers, represented BGSU's LGBTQ+ community at conferences across the country, and took part in the annual Silent Women's project to raise awareness against Domestic Violence. I have since worked at various law firms throughout the Metro Detroit area assisting in caseloads of real estate, family law, estate planning, auto insurance, and criminal law for local families.
I believe that a better future for Michigan communities is possible if everyone works together to build it! Michiganders must work together to protect our wealth, our health, and our education--and that is the change that I am fighting for as a candidate for Michigan State Representative for District 7.- Nyia Bentley is qualified, determined, honest, and trustworthy--a candidate District 7 deserves.
- Rebuilding the foundation of our community is detrimental in producing legislation that works for all of us. Nyia Bentley is focused on community building.
- The future of our communities will be a direct reflection of what we do today--vote for a candidate who believes in putting community first, Vote Bentley.
Featured local question When we focus on our community and learning the people of our communities and their cultures, we can then begin learning how we can all work together to close the talent gap. We must invest in the people of our communities and help bring their dreams to fruition. This also means working with skilled trades and teaching the importance of each.
Featured local question The health and safety of all citizens should be the state's spending priorities during a time of strained resources.
Featured local question Holding Michigan lawmakers accountable for their actions and leading by example, committing to being an elected official who is open, transparent, and accountable. Also strengthening the laws so that accountability is more thoroughly implemented.
Featured local question I would address the deficit by imposing spending cuts.
Featured local question Approaching a solution for Michigan roads, I believe, requires an equation that includes considering: the average cost of auto insurance for those in the effect district in need of road repair, whether a traffic monitoring system is in place, the number of accidents annually, air and water quality, quality of pipes and sewage maintenance. A solution should also always be considerate of the conditions of the communities affected and the people in those communities, how they live, the average income, and employment.
Featured local question Creating an education system that works for every person despite their circumstance or address. I've experienced different school systems and I know that sometimes, one's education can be dependent upon their zip code, causing them to be at a disadvantage without even realizing. Education should be an equitable resource for all people. This means making sure our children are actually retaining information correctly and are able to use that information to make decisions in the past, or can use that information as a route to success in the future through higher education. Our education system should be set up so that standardized testing is not the only route to learning what a student knows and how far behind or ahead they are.
Healthy Community Policing policy.
Prioritizing the appropriation of funds within Detroit for the Detroit Public School system.
Gwendolyn Brooks was a powerful woman. A poet raised in Chicago, a Pulitzer Prize recipient, she understood racial inequalities and was influenced by civil rights activism. Her poetry at times captures a sense of an awakening community, one that I often identify with. I look up to Gwendolyn Brooks because she never let up on her purpose. She wrote even when the topic was hard to discuss, or ugly, or scary.
"Our Friend, Martin"
"On the Basis of Sex"
I am openminded and understanding; honest and loyal; I'm trustworthy and I always lead with integrity.
I would like to leave a legacy of community behind; pure love and community that created a change. When I talk to neighbors, new neighbors...older neighbors, what I learn is that so many of us have a sense of community whether it is imagined or a lived experience. One neighbor I often assist has lived on my street since about 1992, she moved here from Jamaica, had children and married. She recalls memories and speaks of a fully occupied and functional community, one that was sustainable for the community that it served and vice versa.
My biggest accomplishment would be to leave my community in a far more progressive state than it has ever been in, to put the families in my community on a path to success as they define it. To offer all needed resources and to have a safe and functioning community for all those who live and visit.
My biggest accomplishment would be to leave my community in a far more progressive state than it has ever been in, to put the families in my community on a path to success as they define it. To offer all needed resources and to have a safe and functioning community for all those who live and visit.
I was about 7 or 8 when I wrote my first poem and simultaneously learned of my love for writing. This was a historical event that contributed to 20+ years of constant growth!
My very first job was at a little on-campus convenience store, Outtakes. I worked there my entire sophomore year in college as a part-time stocker and cashier.
The Lord of the Flies teaches the theme of order versus chaos. I've held this lesson near and dear for 10 years, understanding that a person's environment has an effect on who they become or how they interact in life.
Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now
I consider the most important differences between Michigan's bicameral chambers to be that State Senate members have a far greater time during their terms to focus solely on the legislature they plan to pass. Because State Senate members serve four-year terms they have a larger capacity for building a stronger and more long-term relationship with the Governor who will eventually support or oppose the bills present. While State House members serve only two-year terms, they can fight harder on a community level to base their policies on the needs of their constituents. These differences though are the very reason why the legislative chambers must work closely together to effectively meet the demands of the people of their state in a manner that suits their time as an elected official.
I believe that it could be beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics based on the success of that previous experience. In this case, success would be measurable using the previous and current position of progression of the community of which the experience was served. However, I believe that life experience is far more needed. If one can relate to the community they represent, then it'll be easier to understand why certain policies must be passed as opposed to others. Having a broad experience in life or professionalism, or politics and government are each beneficial to serving as a state legislator.
Creating an education system that works for all people and all communities, and appropriating funds and resources equitably are what I perceive to be Michigan's greatest challenges over the next decade.
A state governor has more power of their state's legislature than the U.S. President. So, ideally, there is an intense relationship between the governor and the state legislature, because the governor assumes responsibilities on their own apart from other levels of the legislature. We saw this recently during Governor Whitmer's handling of the COVID-19 Pandemic versus President Trump's criticism of that handling. This is a prime example of why the governor and state legislators must work together to understand the demands of the communities they serve and be able to create a progressive change for each of those communities at all legislative levels.
It is absolutely beneficial to build relationships with other legislators. This is helpful in learning what works and does not work for certain communities; learning and understanding current events happening all over; working with neighboring districts can allow for more environmentally friendly changes such as cleanliness. I have been working with candidates from neighboring districts on community cleanups as our communities are highly effected by illegal dumping, litter, and overall poor environmental cleanliness as a direct result of failed or nonexistent policy or support.
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who broke so many barriers for women in law and work. A real force of power for the people.
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.
See also
2020 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on June 26, 2020
Current members of the Michigan House of Representatives
Leadership
Speaker of the House:Matt Hall
Minority Leader:Ranjeev Puri
Representatives
District 1
Tyrone Carter (D)
District 2
Tullio Liberati (D)
District 3
Alabas Farhat (D)
District 4
Karen Whitsett (D)
District 5
Regina Weiss (D)
District 6
Natalie Price (D)
District 7
District 8
Helena Scott (D)
District 9
Joseph Tate (D)
District 10
Veronica Paiz (D)
District 11
Donavan McKinney (D)
District 12
Kimberly Edwards (D)
District 13
Mai Xiong (D)
District 14
Mike McFall (D)
District 15
Erin Byrnes (D)
District 16
Stephanie Young (D)
District 17
Laurie Pohutsky (D)
District 18
Jason Hoskins (D)
District 19
District 20
Noah Arbit (D)
District 21
Kelly Breen (D)
District 22
Matt Koleszar (D)
District 23
Jason Morgan (D)
District 24
Ranjeev Puri (D)
District 25
Peter Herzberg (D)
District 26
Dylan Wegela (D)
District 27
Rylee Linting (R)
District 28
Jamie Thompson (R)
District 29
James DeSana (R)
District 30
William Bruck (R)
District 31
Reggie Miller (D)
District 32
Jimmie Wilson (D)
District 33
Morgan Foreman (D)
District 34
District 35
Jennifer Wortz (R)
District 36
Steve Carra (R)
District 37
Brad Paquette (R)
District 38
Joey Andrews (D)
District 39
Pauline Wendzel (R)
District 40
Matt Longjohn (D)
District 41
Julie Rogers (D)
District 42
Matt Hall (R)
District 43
Rachelle Smit (R)
District 44
Steve Frisbie (R)
District 45
Sarah Lightner (R)
District 46
Kathy Schmaltz (R)
District 47
Carrie Rheingans (D)
District 48
Jennifer Conlin (D)
District 49
Ann Bollin (R)
District 50
Jason Woolford (R)
District 51
Matt Maddock (R)
District 52
Mike Harris (R)
District 53
Brenda Carter (D)
District 54
Donni Steele (R)
District 55
Mark Tisdel (R)
District 56
Sharon MacDonell (D)
District 57
Thomas Kuhn (R)
District 58
Ron Robinson (R)
District 59
Douglas Wozniak (R)
District 60
Joseph Aragona (R)
District 61
Denise Mentzer (D)
District 62
District 63
Jay DeBoyer (R)
District 64
Joseph Pavlov (R)
District 65
Jaime Greene (R)
District 66
Josh Schriver (R)
District 67
Phil Green (R)
District 68
David Martin (R)
District 69
Jasper Martus (D)
District 70
Cynthia Neeley (D)
District 71
Brian BeGole (R)
District 72
Mike Mueller (R)
District 73
Julie Brixie (D)
District 74
Kara Hope (D)
District 75
District 76
Angela Witwer (D)
District 77
Emily Dievendorf (D)
District 78
Gina Johnsen (R)
District 79
Angela Rigas (R)
District 80
Phil Skaggs (D)
District 81
Stephen Wooden (D)
District 82
Kristian Grant (D)
District 83
John Fitzgerald (D)
District 84
Carol Glanville (D)
District 85
Bradley Slagh (R)
District 86
Nancy De Boer (R)
District 87
William Snyder (D)
District 88
Greg VanWoerkom (R)
District 89
Luke Meerman (R)
District 90
Bryan Posthumus (R)
District 91
Pat Outman (R)
District 92
Jerry Neyer (R)
District 93
Tim Kelly (R)
District 94
Amos O'Neal (D)
District 95
Bill Schuette (R)
District 96
Timothy Beson (R)
District 97
Matthew Bierlein (R)
District 98
District 99
Mike Hoadley (R)
District 100
Tom Kunse (R)
District 101
Joseph Fox (R)
District 102
Curt VanderWall (R)
District 103
Betsy Coffia (D)
District 104
John Roth (R)
District 105
Ken Borton (R)
District 106
Cameron Cavitt (R)
District 107
Parker Fairbairn (R)
District 108
David Prestin (R)
District 109
Karl Bohnak (R)
District 110
Republican Party (58)
Democratic Party (52)
