Matt Koleszar

Matt Koleszar (born September 21, 1981) is an American politician serving as a member of the Michigan House of Representatives from the 22nd district (formerly District 20). He was first elected in November 2018, defeating incumbent Republican Jeff Noble, and was re-elected in 2020. Due to decennial re-districting, in 2022 Koleszar ran for the 22nd district, which includes Plymouth City and parts of Livonia City, Northville City, Plymouth Township, and Northville Township; he was elected as the first representative for the new district.

Matt Koleszar
Member of the Michigan House of Representatives
Assumed office
January 1, 2023
Preceded byRedistricted (District 22), Jeff Noble (District 20)
Constituency
22nd district (2023–present) 20th district (2019–2022)
Personal details
Born (1981-09-21) September 21, 1981
Royal Oak, Michigan, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseKimberly Bush-Koleszar
EducationSaginaw Valley State University (BA)
Eastern Michigan University (MA)
OccupationTeacher
WebsiteMatt for Michigan

Early life and education

Koleszar was born in Royal Oak. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in secondary education with a focus on social studies and English from Saginaw Valley State University in 2006, and a Master of Arts degree in English studies for teachers from Eastern Michigan University in 2011.[1]

Career

Before his election as a state representative, Koleszar had taught middle school and high school social studies and English for 12 years in the Airport Community School District in Carleton, coached cross country and baseball,[2] and served as president of the Airport Education Association.[3]

Michigan House of Representatives

Koleszar served as assistant Democratic leader in 2019 and 2020, and as Democratic whip in 2021 and 2022.[1] He has introduced legislation on issues ranging from air quality to school libraries, as well as tuition assistance for the children of fallen Police Officers and Firefighters.[4] He has served on the House committees for education, higher education, health policy, education policy, elections and ethics, labor, and school aid. After the Democrats won control of the state legislature in the 2022 elections, he was appointed chair of the education committee.[5]

Electoral history
Election 2018[6][7]
Party Candidate Vote Percentage
Democratic Matt Koleszar 24,797 51.41%
Republican Jeff Noble (Incumbent) 23,430 48.6%
Election 2020[8]
Party Candidate Vote Percentage
Democratic Matt Koleszar (Incumbent) 33,034 55.1%
Republican John Lacny 26,931 44.9%
Election 2022[9]
Party Candidate Vote Percentage
Democratic Matt Koleszar (Incumbent) 28,051 54.18%
Republican Cathryn Neracher 23,360 45.7%

Personal life

Koleszar is married to Kimberly Bush-Koleszar.[1]

References
  1. "Rep. Matt Koleszar". Gongwer News Service—Michigan. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
  2. "Meet Matt Koleszar". housedems.com. Retrieved November 8, 2019.
  3. Taylor, Caitlin. "Election recap: Airport teacher elected to Michigan House". Monroe News. Monroe, Michigan. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
  4. "Michigan Legislature". www.legislature.mi.gov. Retrieved December 4, 2019.
  5. Mauriello, Tracie (January 13, 2023). "Michigan teachers say they're ignored in Lansing. Now, they're in charge". Bridge Michigan. Retrieved September 7, 2023.
  6. Garrett, Cathy (November 6, 2018). "2018 Final Election Results" (PDF). WayneCounty.com.
  7. "Democrat Koleszar flips state House 20th District". HometownLife. November 7, 2018. Retrieved November 22, 2019.
  8. Garrett, Cathy (November 3, 2020). "2020 Final Election Results" (PDF). WayneCounty.com.
  9. Garrett, Cathy (November 22, 2022). "2022 Final Election Results" (PDF). WayneCounty.com.
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