Senate Mike Shirkey

In November 2014, residents of Michigan’s 16th Senate District first elected Sen. Mike Shirkey, R-Clarklake, to the state Senate, representing Branch, Hillsdale and Jackson counties. Shirkey’s Republican colleagues elected Mike to serve as Senate majority leader for his second term, beginning January 2019. Shirkey is the founder and owner of Orbitform, a leading engineering company that manufactures forming, fastening, joining and assembly equipment for a wide range of industries and applications. The company provides world-class prototype engineering services for assembly of parts and specialized forming and fastening. Mike also worked for General Motors in various management and engineering roles for 13 years.

Senator Jim Ananich

Jim Ananich was elected Senate Minority Leader by his peers following his reelection to the Senate in 2014, and again in 2018. He is the first to be elected the leader of a Senate caucus more than once in the era of term limits.During his tenure in the legislature, Ananich has been at the forefront of addressing the Flint Water Crisis. He continues to push for answers and champion long-term solutions to the critical infrastructure, health and economic needs the community now faces. Ananich led efforts to help create good-paying jobs, improve workforce development, prevent scrap metal theft and keep unused prescription drugs off the streets. His bill to make Flint a promise zone was signed into law in 2017, awarding Flint students the opportunity to attend college or trade school tuition-free.