Margaret O'Brien (politician)

Margaret O'Brien (born November 20, 1973) is a former member of the Michigan Senate and the Michigan House of Representatives. A member of the Republican Party, she represented a district based in Kalamazoo.[1]

For the actress, see Margaret O'Brien.
Margaret O'Brien
O'Brien in 2014
Member of the Michigan Senate
from the 20th district
In office
January 1, 2015 – December 31, 2018
Preceded byTonya Schuitmaker
Succeeded bySean McCann
Member of the Michigan House of Representatives
from the 61st district
In office
January 1, 2011 – December 31, 2014
Preceded byLarry Deshazor
Succeeded byBrandt Iden
Personal details
Born (1973-11-20) November 20, 1973
Kalamazoo, Michigan, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseNick O'Brien
Children4
Residence(s)Portage, Michigan, U.S.
Alma materMichigan State University

Early life

O'Brien was born in Kalamazoo County to Richard and Katheleen (Crawford) Wilson. Her childhood was spent on dairy farms with her three brothers, first in Pavilion Township and then in Texas Township.

She attended Fulton and Indian Lake Elementary Schools in Vicksburg and graduated in 1991 from Mattawan High School, where she excelled in track and field and cross country. The women's track record for the 3200-meter relay, set in 1991, is still held by O'Brien and her teammates. She earned a bachelor's degree in international relations from James Madison College at Michigan State University.

From 1995 to 2003, O'Brien was a social worker with Catholic Family Services. She then worked as a real estate agent at RE/MAX and served on the City Council of Portage, Michigan, from 2003 to 2010. She lives in Portage with her husband and four children.

Political career

O'Brien was first elected to the Michigan House in 2010 and became active on private property rights, education reform,[2] adoption, and direct access to physical therapy. She was twice unanimously elected as associate speaker pro tem and often presided over sessions of the House.

In 2014, she was elected to represent the 20th district in the Michigan Senate, defeating Democratic nominee Sean McCann and Libertarian nominee Lorence Wenke.[3] In the Senate, she was unanimously elected as assistant president pro tem and again frequently presided over sessions. She worked on bills to ensure the rights of people with service animals,[4] to provide state IDs to the homeless, to protect victims of domestic violence,[5] to enact safe passing distances for vulnerable roadway users,[6] and to train caregivers of seniors and people with disabilities.[7]

O'Brien is known for her work to change Michigan's sexual assault laws in the aftermath of the Larry Nassar scandal, alongside advocates including Rachael Denhollander, Aly Raisman, Amanda Thomashow, Sterling Reithman, and Larissa Boyce.[8][9][10]

In 2018, she lost a rematch with McCann.[11] In January 2019, she was elected as secretary of the Michigan Senate, only the second woman to have held that post.

References
  1. "State Senator Margaret O'Brien" (PDF). Michigan Legislature.
  2. Pratt, Chastity (December 5, 2014). "Teacher evaluation bills aim to improve performance". www.bridgemi.com. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  3. Mitchell, Alex (November 5, 2014). "Close 20th District state Senate race has candidates waiting on absentee-ballot count". MLive.com.
  4. "New Law Helps Ensure Access to Public Accommodations for Persons with Disabilities and their Service Animals". Michigan Department of Civil Rights. January 13, 2016. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  5. Oosting, Jonathan (May 15, 2018). "Victim confidentiality plan would shield addresses". The Detroit News. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  6. "Legislature expected to finalize bike safety bills". WIN 98.5. June 10, 2018. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  7. Hornbeck, Mark (April 14, 2016). "Governor signs the CARE Act". AARP Michigan. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  8. Gray, Kathleen (February 26, 2018). "Gymnasts to join lawmakers Monday to unveil bills aimed at stopping sexual abuse". Detroit Free Press.
  9. Jordan, Aaron (May 9, 2018). "Survivor testimony continues over Nassar-inspired bills". WLNS 6 News. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  10. LeBlanc, Beth; Oosting, Jonathan (June 12, 2018). "Michigan gives sexual assault victims more time to press charges, sue". The Detroit News. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
  11. Devereaux, Brad (November 7, 2018). "Democrat Sean McCann beats GOP state Sen. Margaret O'Brien". MLive.com.
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