American politician
Andrew Frederick Fink (born July 30, 1985) is an American politician serving as a member of the Michigan House of Representatives since 2021, currently representing the 35th district . A member of the Republican Party , Fink was a candidate in the 2024 Michigan Supreme Court election .
Early life, education, and legal career
Fink was born on July 30, 1985, in Superior Township, Washtenaw County, Michigan .[ 2] He received a bachelor's degree in politics from Hillsdale College and a J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School .[ 2] He was a member of the United States Marine Corps Judge Advocate Division from 2011 to 2014.[ 2]
In 2017, he moved from Ypsilanti to Hillsdale , where he ran a satellite office of his family's law firm , Fink and Fink, PLLC.[ 3] He was district director for Mike Shirkey , a Republican member of the Michigan State Senate and the Senate Majority Leader,[ 2] [ 3] from January 2019 to January 2020.[ 3] Fink is a member of the Federalist Society , the American Legion, and was a commissioner-at-large for the State Bar of Michigan .[ 2]
Political career
In the 2020 Republican primary for the Michigan House of Representatives , District 58 ,[ 4] Fink ran against farmer Andy Welden, realtor Daren Wiseley, and Hillsdale Mayor Adam Stockford.[ 5] The district covers Hillsdale County and Branch ; incumbent Eric Leutheuser could not run for reelection due to term limits.[ 6] Of the 16,881 total votes in the August 2020 Republican primary, Fink received 6,520 votes (38.62%), Welden 4,310 votes (25.53%); Wiseley 3,126 votes (18.52%), and Stockford 2,925 votes (17.33%).[ 4]
During his 2020 campaign, Fink took the position that Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer 's actions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Michigan were unconstitutional.[ 7] His primary campaign was supported by Citizens for Energizing Michigan's Economy (CEME), a 501(c)(4) "dark money " group related to Consumers Energy , which ran several mailers and ads in favor of Fink.[ 7] [ 8]
In the general election, Fink faced Democratic nominee Tamara Barnes of Coldwater , a director of the Kalamazoo Valley Museum .[ 9] [ 10] Fink won 71.22% of the vote (30,208 votes) and Barnes 28.78% of the vote (12,208 votes).[ 11]
Upon taking office,[ 12] [ 13] Fink was assigned to the House Appropriations, Military and Veterans Affairs and State Police; and Health Policy committees.[ 2]
After redistricting, in 2022, Fink was elected to the 35th district .[ 14]
In September 2023, Fink announced his candidacy for the Michigan Supreme Court .[ 15]
Personal life
Fink lives in Adams Township . He is married to Lauren Grover[ 16] and has five children.[ 2]
References
^ "Meet Andrew" .
^ a b c d e f g State Representative ANDREW FINK (R–58th Representative District) , Michigan Manual (2021-2022 ed.), p. 229.
^ a b c "Meet Andrew Fink - 58th District Representative - Republican Candidate" . WSYM . 2020-02-17. Retrieved 2020-12-24 .
^ a b "August 2020 Michigan Primary Election Results" . Michigan Secretary of State.
^ Mullins, Julia (2020-08-26). "Hillsdale primary results: Fink, Hodshire see Aug. victories, look to November general election" . Hillsdale Collegian . Retrieved 2020-12-24 .
^ Who's new in the Michigan House of Representatives , MLive (January 5, 2021).
^ a b Fry, Sam (July 28, 2020). "GOP state legislative candidates answer questions at debate" . Hillsdale Daily News .
^ Fry, Sam. "Consumers Energy-funded nonprofit spending big in District 58 House race" . Hillsdale Daily News . Retrieved 2020-12-24 .
^ Measel, Jim. "Third time around for Walberg-Driskell, Fink vs. Barnes for 58th House Seat" . WTVB. Retrieved 2020-12-24 .
^ Bohl, James (2020-10-15). "Meet the candidates: Tamara Barnes (D)" . Hillsdale Collegian . Retrieved 2020-12-24 .
^ "November 2020 Michigan General Election Results" . Michigan Secretary of State.
^ Measel, Jim. "Fink sworn in as 58th District State Representative" . WTVB . Retrieved 2020-12-24 .
^ Measel, Jim. "Fink elected as 58th District State House Representative" . WTVB. Retrieved 2020-12-24 .
^ "Legislator Details - Andrew Fink" . Library of Michigan . Retrieved March 1, 2023 .
^ "State Rep. Andrew Fink running for Michigan Supreme Court seat" . www.aol.com . September 19, 2023.
^ "Andrew Fink: From student to legislator" . 10 November 2022.