Curtis Hertel Jr.
Curtis Hertel | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of theMichigan Senate from the23rddistrict | |
| In office January 1, 2015 – January 1, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Gretchen Whitmer |
| Succeeded by | Jim Runestad |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 9, 1978 Detroit,Michigan,U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Elizabeth Hertel |
| Children | 4 |
| Relatives | Curtis Hertel(father) Kevin Hertel(brother) Dennis Hertel(uncle) John Hertel(uncle) |
| Education | Michigan State University(BA) |
| Website | Campaign website |
Curtis Hertel Jr.(born January 9, 1978) is an American politician who served as a state senator from 2015 to 2023, for the23rd districtin Michigan, representing theGreater Lansing Area.[1]
Hertel is a member of theDemocratic Party.He previously served two terms as the Ingham County Register of Deeds, and more recently served as GovernorGretchen Whitmer's top lobbyist.[2][3][4]He is a candidate forMichigan's 7th Congressional Districtin the2024 electionto succeedElissa Slotkin,who herself isrunning for U.S. Senateto succeed retiringDebbie Stabenow.[5]
He is the son ofCurtis Hertel,who was co-speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives from 1993 to 1994. Hertel's brother,Kevin Hertel,was elected to the Michigan State Senate in November 2022.[6]
Education and early career
[edit]Hertel holds a bachelor's degree fromJames Madison College at Michigan State University,where he attended from 1996 to 2000.[7]Hertel served on the Ingham County Board of Commissioners from 2001 to 2008, representing the north half of East Lansing and Meridian Township. From 2005 to 2008, Hertel worked as a Legislative Liaison for the Department of Community Health under GovernorJennifer Granholm.[8]
Hertel was elected Ingham County Register of Deeds in 2008, and re-elected to a second term in 2012.[3]As Register of Deeds, Hertel filed a lawsuit against mortgage firmsFannie MaeandFreddie Macin 2011, seeking millions in unpaid taxes on property transfers in the county.[9]The outcome is still pending.[citation needed]
State senate
[edit]Hertel was elected to the Michigan State Senate in 2014, where he served as the Minority Whip and Chairperson for the Democratic Caucus Campaign Committee.[10]He served as senator for the23rd districtin Michigan, which represented the cities ofLansingandEast Lansing,as well as the townships ofAlaiedon Township, Michigan,Aurelius,Bunker Hill,Delhi,Ingham,Lansing,Leslie,Meridian,Onondaga,Vevay,Stockbridge,andWhite Oak.[1]
He introduced bills to offer tax credits to Michigan college graduates who elected to remain residents of the state after graduation.[11]He also introduced legislation to require discussions on affirmative consent in high school sex education classes.[12]In March 2016, he introduced a bill to put $3 million into the First Responder Presumed Coverage Fund, which would give money to firefighters who develop cancer due to chemical exposure on the job.[13]
In November 2018, Hertel was re-elected to the 23rd district in the Michigan State Senate, where he served four more years.[14]Hertel served as the top-ranking Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee.[15]
Political career
[edit]Due toterm limits,Hertel was ineligible for re-election in2022.He joined the gubernatorial administration ofGretchen Whitmeras Whitmer's top lobbyist in the role of director of legislative affairs.[4]He announced his resignation from the Whitmer administration on June 30, 2023.[16]Less than a week after resigning from the Whitmer administration, where he had negotiated the state's $82 billion budget, Hertel took a role at the nonprofit Greater Flint Health Coalition, which was expected to benefit from the state budget in the form of a $1.5 million grant. Hertel denied that his involvement in the state budget included knowledge of the $1.5 million budget appropriation earmarked for the Greater Flint Health Coalition. According toThe Detroit News,the arrangement "puts a spotlight on the close, behind-the-scenes relationships between groups seeking assistance from state government and officials in positions to provide it."[2]
On July 10, 2023, Hertel announced his candidacy forMichigan's 7th congressional district,currently held byElissa Slotkin,who had already announced her candidacy for the US Senate.[5]
Personal life
[edit]His wife, Elizabeth Hertel, serves as Michigan's Department of Health and Human Services director.[8]
References
[edit]- ^ab"Legislator Details - Curtis Hertel Jr".Library of Michigan.RetrievedFebruary 28,2023.
- ^abMauger, Craig (November 1, 2023)."Key House hopeful went from gov's office to well-connected nonprofit".detroitnews.Retrieved6 November2023.
- ^abHinkley, Justin A."Ingham County Dems cruise to Legislature".Lansing State Journal.RetrievedNovember 12,2014.
- ^ab"Whitmer adds veteran Democratic lawmaker, former deputy AG to executive team".Detroit Free Press.
- ^abVrabel, Brendan (July 10, 2023)."Curtis Hertel Jr. announces run for Congress".WILX-TV.
- ^"Klinefelt wins 11th Senate race; 12th contest close as Hertel claims victory".The Detroit News.November 8, 2022.RetrievedJune 1,2023.
- ^Schuster, Simon (January 26, 2014). "Curtis Hertel Jr. sees little opposition in local Senate election".The State News.Michigan State University(East Lansing, Michigan).
- ^ab"Hertel, Barrett face-off set in 7th".City Pulse.Lansing. 2023-07-13.Retrieved2023-09-18.
- ^Bell, Kay (June 23, 2011)."Banks sued for foreclosure taxes".Bankrate.RetrievedApril 20,2017.
- ^Walker, Deborah M. (February 8, 2015)."Curtis Hertel Jr. Takes Office as Michigan's State Senator of District 23".The New Citizens Press.
- ^Feldscher, Kyle (January 29, 2015)."Michigan Democrats introduce bills to give tax credits to college graduates with student loan debt".MLive.RetrievedApril 20,2017.
- ^"What would" Yes Means Yes "legislation mean for Michiganders in a romantic moment?".Michigan Radio.September 23, 2015.RetrievedApril 20,2017.
- ^Hinkley, Justin A. (March 8, 2016)."Firefighters call on Legislature to fund cancer care".Lansing State Journal.RetrievedApril 20,2017.
- ^"2018 Michigan Official General Election Results - 11/06/2018".mielections.us.Retrieved2023-09-14.
- ^"Michigan Senate OKs new scholarships, boosts college funding".Associated Press. 2022-05-03.Retrieved2023-09-18.
- ^"Curtis Hertel Jr. resigns from Gov. Whitmer's office".WLNS-TV.June 30, 2023.