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Rep. Sarah Anthony talks Senate run, midterms

September 14, 2021
<p>Sarah Anthony, State Representative for Michigan&#x27;s 68th district, greets the crowd during the Women’s March On Lansing 2020 on Jan. 18, 2020, hosted by the Blue Brigade.</p>

Sarah Anthony, State Representative for Michigan's 68th district, greets the crowd during the Women’s March On Lansing 2020 on Jan. 18, 2020, hosted by the Blue Brigade.

Photo by Alyte Katilius | The State News

State Rep. Sarah Anthony, D-Lansing, is officially running for the Michigan State Senate in the 2022 midterm elections. Anthony said she is excited for the opportunity to serve her community in a higher capacity, but her campaign comes at a strange time for American politics, especially in Michigan. 

Michigan politics garnered national attention after the 2020 presidential election when former President Donald Trump’s lawyers attempted to challenge the state’s results after its certification. Now, in 2021, a redistricting process and debates over voting laws are taking place throughout the state and its capital. 

Anthony is not worried about possible new district lines. In fact, she welcomes it.

“I was very, very excited to support Voters Not Politicians and their effort to ensure that politicians weren’t drawing or influencing political lines, but that the people, through a[n] independent commission, would determine these lines,” Anthony said. “I am excited to see more fair political lines because it'll mean more representation... for people throughout the state.” 

However, she is concerned about new voting legislation passed in states such as Florida, Georgia and Texas, that many view as voter suppression laws.

A similar 39-bill package has been introduced in the Michigan legislature. If passed, the legislation would enact new protocols, including closing ballot drop boxes at 5 p.m. the day before Election Day, prohibiting prepaid postage on absentee ballots and restricting the mass mailing of absentee ballot applications. 

“The fact the Republican party has taken a very extreme political agenda, designed to suppress votes, is absolutely criminal,” Anthony said. “We see that this playbook is a national strategy to suppress votes particularly in areas that are largely minority [occupied], and, honestly, it will also affect any senior citizens and, so, I am concerned, given the fact that we have a Republican legislature that is continuing to play by the Republican national playbook.”

In spite of the uncertainty surrounding the 2022 midterm elections, Anthony remains focused on the future.

“All I can do is try to convince the voters that they should look at my record and see me as an effective lawmaker that will lead with compassion and serve them well in the capitol,” Anthony said.  

Anthony takes pride in her legislative accomplishments and her ability to get bills passed.

“One of the things that I’m really proud of is that I’ve been a very effective lawmaker,” Anthony said. “I’ve been able to get quite a few bills signed into law despite being in the minority party... and it’s been bills that help veterans, students and small businesses.” 

In these unforeseen political times, Anthony has established herself early as a contender for a highly coveted Senate seat, and, if elected, said she is ready to continue serving her community. 




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