By Alexa Cheaney
Democrats at Grand Rapids Community College hosted Michigan State Rep. John Fitzgerald in a conversation about politics, education and connection on Monday, Dec. 4.
A fifth-generation public servant and a first-generation Democrat, Fitzgerald holds the seat for Michigan’s 83rd House District, which covers Southwest Grand Rapids, the City of Wyoming and a small piece of Byron Township.
However, Fitzgerald has not always been involved in politics. After graduating from Michigan State University in 2013, he started his professional life working at Foremost Insurance, which has since been bought out by Farmers Insurance. After spending eight years in the insurance world, Fitzgerald made the decision to run for City Council.
“During that time I really felt compelled to work with my community and get involved with public service,” Fitzgerald said.
Campaigning in 2020, Fitzgerald shared his unique experience of trying to get signatures during the height of the pandemic.
“During COVID, having to go ask strangers for their signature was very difficult,” Fitzgerald said. “I had this whole system down where I would take my petition and I would magnet it to the hood of my car. I would go knock on their door, and I would be wearing my mask, and they would come out and wear their mask, and I would have a pen there and a bottle of Purell so they could sign and Purell and then they were done. It was a whole thing.”
Fitzgerald moved on from city council to the Michigan House of Representatives in 2022.
Since being elected, Fitzgerald has joined five committees. These include insurance and financial services, health policy, transportation mobility and infrastructure, and agriculture. He also serves as the chair of the local government and municipal finance committee.
Fitzgerald advocated for advancements toward equity in our education system when asked about current education policy in the House.
“One of the things I’m most proud of is our free school breakfast and lunch for all children. Some people might say ‘well that’s not education policy’ but try and do your job on an empty stomach… That doesn’t create an environment where learning is possible,”. He said.
Fitzgerald also spoke about the House looking to support educators, saying that the respect teachers receive is “pretty darn low these days which is really, really unfortunate.”
One of the main points that Fitzgerald stressed the Democrats of GRCC to take away from their discussion was the importance of community.
“No one person can go in alone. No person is an island,” Fitzgerald said. “You absolutely have to have a network of people around you who you can depend on for sage advice, for a trusting ear and for frank discussion… Because I sought out people and said ‘I don’t know what I’m doing. Can you help me?’ There was a willingness for people to say ‘Absolutely. Let me show you how.’”
In the House, Fitzgerald makes an effort to extend this attitude of collaboration over both sides of the aisle, claiming that he works “really hard at being bipartisan.”
Bipartisanship does not come from any sort of artificial harmony but instead comes from a willingness to listen.
“Good discourse is good for democracy,” said Fitzgerald. “Healthy criticism is good for democracy.”
Democrats at GRCC meet once a month, with their next meeting on Jan. 15. For more information about how to get involved, check RaiderConnect.
