Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks

(D-Grand Rapids)
13 Years
Senate District 29
S-102 C
517-373-1801

senwbrinks@senate.michigan.gov
Official Website

Biographical Information

Born: February 17, 1968 in Mount Vernon, Washington
Marital Status: Married
Spouse/Partner: Steve
Children: Olivia, Annalise, Emma
Education: Bachelor's degree in Spanish, Calvin College
Employment/Military Record: Executive director, One Way House, a community-based corrections agency; educator at Grand Rapids Christian Schools and Godfrey-Lee Public Schools, caseworker at The Source
Community Activities: I have volunteered for Meals on Wheels and Habitat for Humanity in the Grand Rapids area. I'm also active in my church.
Religion: Christian

Governmental Leadership (Elected or Appointed)

Senate (1/1/2023 - 12/31/2026)
Senate Majority Leader (1/1/2023 - 12/31/2026)
Senate (1/1/2019 - 12/31/2022)
House (1/1/2013 - 12/31/2018)

Elections and Political Participation

Michigan Senate 29th District 2022
General Vote: 59,407 of 98,522 (60%)
Primary Vote: 22,147 of 22,147 (100%)
Campaign Finance Reports
Endorsements: AFL-CIO Michigan; American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Council 25; American Federation of Teachers Michigan; Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce PAC; Michigan Association for Justice; Michigan Education Association PAC; Michigan League of Conservation Voters (primary); Michigan Nurses Association (primary); Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights; Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan

Michigan Senate 29th District 2018
General Vote: 70,715 of 124,225 (56%)
Primary Vote: 32,882 of 32,882 (100%)
Campaign Finance Reports
Endorsements: Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan, AFSCME Council 25, UAW, Michigan Farm Bureau, Michigan AFL-CIO, Michigan Association for Justice, Sierra Club, American Federation of Teachers-Michigan, Michigan League of Conservation Voters (general election), Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan (general election)

Michigan House 76th District 2016
General Vote: 27,046 of 47,680 (56%)
Primary Vote: 4,390 of 4,390 (100%)
Campaign Finance Reports
Endorsements: Sierra Club Michigan Chapter, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan; MI Women Win, AFSCME, Grand Rapids Area Chamber of Commerce PAC, Michigan AFL-CIO, the County Road Association of Michigan RUSH-PAC, United Auto Workers, Michigan Agri-Business Association AGRI-BIZ PAC, Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters, MiBank PAC

Michigan House 76th District 2014
General Vote: 15,804 of 30,315 (52%)
Primary Vote: 3,918 of 3,918 (100%)
Campaign Finance Reports
Endorsements: Michigan Milk Producers Association, Michigan League of Conservation Voters, Michigan Townships Association, Sierra Club of Michigan, Michigan Nurses Association, AFL-CIO, American Federation of Teachers-Michigan, AFSCME Council 25, Michigan Bankers Association PAC

Michigan House 76th District 2012
General Vote: 23,530 of 50,680 (46%)
Primary Vote: 2,652 of 2,652 (100%)
Campaign Finance Reports

Political Activities: Chair, East Grand Rapids Parent-Teacher-Student Association's Legislative Committee, 2005-2010

Committee Assignments
Session
Majority Leader
Key Legislative Staff
Kathleen Farhat, Chief of Staff
kfarhat@senate.michigan.gov
Nancy Green, Deputy Chief of Staff
ngreen@senate.michigan.gov
Rosie Jones, Deputy Chief of Staff/Press Secretary
rcjones@senate.michigan.gov
Chloe Grabowski, Senior Director of Operations and Legislative Affairs
cgrabowski@senate.michigan.gov
Teresa Cuellar, Senior Executive Assistant
tcuellar@senate.michigan.gov
Kathryn Kooyman, District Director
kkooyman@senate.michigan.gov
Jessica Berens, Director of Scheduling
jberens@senate.michigan.gov
Mads Bramson , Administrative Assistant
mbramson@senate.michigan.gov
Thomas Randle, Constituent Services Director
trandle@senate.michigan.gov

Sponsored Legislation

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