LANSING, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Wednesday, three new State Representatives from the Southwest Michigan area were sworn in for their first terms in office.
To begin with, State Rep. Steve Carra (R-Three Rivers), was sworn in by House Clerk Gary Randall.
Steve Carra, of Three Rivers, is sworn in as a State Representative on Wednesday, January 13, 2021. (Photo courtesy of the Office of Steve Carra).
“Throughout the course of our nation’s history, power has continued to transfer to fewer and fewer hands. In order to preserve the remaining values and ideals our nation was founded upon, it’s incumbent on us to return the blessings of liberty back to the people,” Rep. Carra said in a statement. “With this responsibility, I take an oath to uphold and defend the United States and Michigan constitutions and to represent the people of the 59th District and our Southwest Michigan values to the best of my ability.”
The 59th District encompasses the entirety of St. Joseph County and most of Cass County.
According to his GOP House profile, Rep. Carra is a graduate of Portage Northern High School, as well as Western Michigan University, where he graduated in 2011 with degrees in economics and political science.
In 2018, Rep. Carra won the Republican nomination for a seat on the Kalamazoo County Board of Commissioners, his first political race, but was not successful in the General Election.
In addition, State Rep. Julie Rogers (D-Kalamazoo) was publicly sworn in Wednesday.
“I am lucky to call this community home and I am humbled by the opportunity to represent my friends and neighbors at the Capitol,” Rogers said in a statement. “For more than two decades I have worked in health care and this has instilled in me a passion for ensuring everyone has access to the quality care they deserve, especially during the ongoing pandemic. I look forward to working to make that a reality.”
Rep. Rogers is serving her first term representing the 60th House District, which includes the City of Kalamazoo and portions of the City of Portage and Kalamazoo Township.
She served on the Kalamazoo County Commission for 8 years, including serving as Board Chair.
State Rep. Christine Morse was sworn in on Wednesday, January 13, 2021. (Photo courtesy of the Office of Christine Morse).
State Rep. Christine Morse (D-Texas Twp.) was also sworn in on Wednesday.
“It’s an honor to serve the community which I call home and I will always strive to be a leader who listens,” Rep. Morse said in a statement. “I am here to represent the values of my neighbors, and what I’ve heard is a strong desire for fully funding our public schools, ensuring access to health care and protecting our environment.”
Rep. Morse is serving her first term representing the 61st House District, which includes the City of Portage as well as the Townships of Oshtemo, Prairie Ronde, Schoolcraft and Texas.
Morse is a former Kalamazoo County Commissioner, former attorney, cancer survivor and mother of three.
The 101st Michigan Legislature began session following the swearing-in ceremony.
Contact information for all three of the new State Reps. can be viewed below.
Rep. Steve Carra –
- Office Number: (517) 373-0832
- Email: SteveCarra@House.MI.gov
Rep. Christine Morse –
- Office Number: (517) 373-1774
- Email: ChristineMorse@house.mi.gov
Rep. Julie Rogers –
- Office Number: (517) 373-1785
- Email: JulieRogers@house.mi.gov
