Barb Anness Endorsed by EMILY’s List Makes a Run for State Rep in Greater Rochester
It only took Barb Anness 17 years to find her purpose – as a public servant for the people of greater Rochester. Now, running as State Representative for greater Rochester, Anness, a Democrat, points to almost two decades of on-the-job training for this very moment.
A fierce advocate for education, Anness began community activism early on – when her eldest started kindergarten. Positions as VP of the local PTA led to President of the PTA, and subsequently, a position on the Michigan PTA Council. For Anness, involvement in the PTA is more about advocating for ALL children in public education, than about bake sales and fundraisers.
As PTA Council Legislative Committee Chairwoman, Anness led a “Walk in for Public Education” in May of 2016, to support Detroit Public Schools -- when the Senate was debating SB 710. The bill
sought to provide relief and recovery for DPS. The walk in was a way to show that all children in Michigan deserve quality education and certified educators, regardless of their zip code. Fueled by a strong belief in equity in public education, Anness led Rochester’s PTA and teachers at twenty-one (21) of Rochester Community Schools’ to stand in solidarity with DPS –captured on local television and The Oakland Press.
Which brings us to 2020. In the last several election cycles, the traditionally Republican-leaning community of Rochester, Michigan has seen state and local Republican candidates win by smaller and smaller margins. Anness and her campaign team believe now is the time to flip the #45th district blue. That is why the endorsement last week of EMILY’s List, the nation’s largest resource for women in politics, means so much.
The results of four Michigan House districts will clinch the balance of power in the Michigan House of Representatives. Greater Rochester’s District #45 is one of those Michigan House districts.
Lisa Kiefer, Anness’ campaign manager, said that running for elected office is the next logical step for Anness, a fierce advocate for Rochester area families. Anness was also inspired by local Michigan women who successfully joined the political conversation in 2018, such as Elissa Slotkin, Haley Stevens, Mallory McMorrow, and Donna Lasinski.
Watch this space.
Karen Couf Cohen is a writer and communications pro. She is an inspired volunteer in communications for the Barb Anness for State Representative MI HD-45 campaign.
