Andrew Fink

Andrew Fink (born July 30, 1985) is a Republican member of the Michigan House of Representatives, first elected in 2020.[1][2]

Prior to his election, Andrew served as the district director for Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey. He also ran a satellite office in downtown Hillsdale for his family's firm, Fink and Fink based in Ypsilanti, MI. Andrew graduated from Hillsdale College in 2006 with a degree in Politics. He later graduated from the University of Michigan for his juris doctorate. Andrew completed Officer Candidacy School and joined the Marine Corps as a judge advocate. He later returned to his family's law firm before moving back to Hillsdale in 2017. Andrew married his wife, Lauren Grover, a 2007 Hillsdale College graduate, in 2008. Together, they have five children.[3]

2020 Republican Primary Election

In the 2020 Republican Primary, Andrew Fink defeated farmer Andy Welden, realtor Daren Wiseley, and Hillsdale City Mayor Adam Stockford. Nearly 23,000 people voted in the primary election, which translates to a 12% and 10% increase in voter turnout in Hillsdale and Branch County, respectively.[4]

In Hillsdale County, Fink captured 3,134 votes (31.57%) of the electorate. He led the second place candidate, Welden, by 251 votes. Welden saw his greatest turnout in the northwest part of Hillsdale County, including Litchfield City and Township, Scipio Township (his home township), Allen Township, Fayette Township, Moscow Township, and Jonesville City. Adam Stockford carried Hillsdale City Wards II and IV (the latter by only four more votes than Fink), and Jefferson Township. Fink carried most of the southern portion of the county with the exception of Reading City. Fink won Hillsdale City Wards I and III, which allowed him to carry the popular vote in the city. Fink also won Hillsdale Township, both precincts in Somerset Township, Adams Township, Amboy Township, Camden Township, Reading Township, Pittsford Township, Ransom Township, Wheatland Township, Woodbridge Township, and Wright Township. Daren Wiseley failed to carry a single precinct in Hillsdale County.[5][6]

In Branch County, Fink carried every precinct by safe margins. Fink captured 3,386 votes (48.69% of the electorate). He led Welden by just under 2,000 votes. Fink found greatest support in Noble and Gilead Township, while his weakest township was Quincy Township. Overall, Fink garnered roughly 40.1% of the overall primary vote (6,520 votes).[7]

Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, an outdoor debate was hosted in front of the Hillsdale City Library in which all of the candidates participated.[8] Several of the defining issues of both the debate and the overall election were Governor Whitmer's reaction to the pandemic, infrastructure, education, bipartisanship, and energy. With the latter topic, Citizens for Energizing Michigan's Economy (CEME), a PAC related to Consumers Energy, ran several mailers and ads in favor of Fink. Despite the attention Consumers Energy's involvement received, Fink only accepted $1,500 from Employees for Better Government (another group related to Consumers Energy).[9][10]

Fink's campaign hired only one employee, rising Hillsdale College junior Jacob Hooper. Hooper worked with the campaign from February 2020 to August 13, 2020. Fink did not officially have campaign staff for the general election.[11]

2020 General Election

Fink faced off with Democratic nominee and Coldwater museum director Tamara Barnes.[12] Barnes previously ran against incumbent Eric Leutheuser in 2018. Barnes and Fink participated in one radio debate hosted by 2002 state representative candidate Ken Delaney on WTVB Coldwater.[13][14] Fink captured 71.2% of electorate (30,208 votes). Barnes managed to garner the other 28.8% of the electorate (12,208 votes). Fink led Barnes by 18,000 votes and carried every precinct except Coldwater City Ward One, which President Trump only managed to carry by three votes.[15][16]

State House Tenure

On November 18, Fink announced his policy committee assignments in the House. In addition, House Speaker Jason Wentworth (R-Clare) assigned Fink to the special temporary Policy Action Plan Committee. The committee will help collect the top priorities and policy goals for state legislators. The committee will be chaired by Representatives Graham Filler (R-DeWitt) and Steve Johnson (R-Wayland).[17][18]

Andrew Fink
Member of Michigan House of Representatives from the 58th District
Assumed office
January 1, 2021
Preceded byEric Leutheuser
Personal details
BornJuly 30, 1985 Age 35
Ypsilanti, MI
Spouse(s)Lauren Grover
Children5, including Evie, Freddy, Diedrich, Van, and Gustav
ParentsJim and Beth Fink
ResidenceAdams Township
Alma materHillsdale College (BA) University of Michigan (JD)
Military service
BranchUnited States Marine Corps

References
  1. Measel, Jim. "Fink sworn in as 58th District State Representative". WTVB | 1590 AM · 95.5 FM | The Voice of Branch County. Retrieved 2020-12-24.
  2. Measel, Jim. "Fink elected as 58th District State House Representative". WTVB | 1590 AM · 95.5 FM | The Voice of Branch County. Retrieved 2020-12-24.
  3. "Meet Andrew Fink - 58th District Representative - Republican Candidate". WSYM. 2020-02-17. Retrieved 2020-12-24.
  4. Mullins, Julia (2020-08-26). "Hillsdale primary results: Fink, Hodshire see Aug. victories, look to November general election". Hillsdale Collegian. Retrieved 2020-12-24.
  5. Kast, Marney. "Hillsdale County Primary Election Cumulative Results" . Hillsdale County Clerks Office. Retrieved 2020-12-24.
  6. Kast, Marney. "Hillsdale County Primary Election Precinct Results". Hillsdale County Clerks Office. Retrieved 2020-12-24.
  7. Kubasiak, Terry (2020-08-07). "Branch County 2020 Primary Election". Election Reporting. Retrieved 2020-12-24.
  8. Fry, Sam. "GOP state legislative candidates answer questions at debate". Hillsdale.net - Hillsdale, MI. Retrieved 2020-12-24.
  9. Fry, Sam. "Consumers Energy-funded nonprofit spending big in District 58 House race". Hillsdale.net - Hillsdale, MI. Retrieved 2020-12-24.
  10. "Michigan Committee Statement of Organization". cfrsearch.nictusa.com. Retrieved 2020-12-24.
  11. Hroncich, Maggie (2020-09-03). "Hillsdale College junior leads Fink to primary victory". Hillsdale Collegian. Retrieved 2020-12-24.
  12. Measel, Jim. "Third time around for Walberg-Driskell, Fink vs. Barnes for 58th House Seat". WTVB | 1590 AM · 95.5 FM | The Voice of Branch County. Retrieved 2020-12-24.
  13. "Tamara Barnes". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2020-12-24.
  14. Bohl, James (2020-10-15). "Meet the candidates: Tamara Barnes (D)". Hillsdale Collegian. Retrieved 2020-12-24.
  15. "Michigan State House - District 58 Election Results | The Detroit News". www.detroitnews.com. Retrieved 2020-12-24.
  16. "Election Reporting". www.electionreporting.com. Retrieved 2020-12-24.
  17. Measel, Jim. "Fink gets first committee assignment in State House". WTVB | 1590 AM · 95.5 FM | The Voice of Branch County. Retrieved 2020-12-24.
  18. "To The Point: Rep.-elects Steve Carra and Andrew Fink". WOODTV.com. 2020-12-13. Retrieved 2020-12-24.


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