Joanna VanRaaphorst Announces Candidacy for House Seat
Oakland Township businesswoman, mom and philanthropist will seek Democratic nomination to try to unseat Tom McMillin in November.
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Joanna VanRaaphorst is a businesswoman who doesn't believe in micromanagement and who knows that just because you don't have money doesn't mean you can't get things done.
She's also a mom who takes pride in the education her son and daughter received through Rochester Community Schools.
And she's a proponent of Rochester — the town where she's lived for 20 years and where her family has built a successful business.
Those are a few of the reasons she is vying for a chance to represent Rochester, Rochester Hills and part of Oakland Township in the state House of Representatives this year.
Who she is
VanRaaphorst, an Oakland Township resident, is running as a Democrat in the 45th District race. The seat is held by Republican Tom McMillin of Rochester Hills.
VanRaaphorst is 52; she is married to Paul VanRaaphorst, a Rochester Hills periodontist. Their children graduated from Rochester Community Schools; Claire is a sophomore at Albion College, and Max is a senior at Oakland University.
The VanRaaphorsts have lived in the Rochester area for 20 years.
Joanna VanRaaphorst has a professional background in sales and marketing. She formerly worked as a director of sales for Holiday Inn and Sheraton hotels, as well as for the Ann Arbor Convention and Visitors Bureau and for Crittenton Hospital Medical Center.
She has also been a key partner in her husband's practice.
VanRaaphorst said she is committed to being a positive force in Lansing for promoting Rochester-area businesses. She calls herself a middle-of-the-road, fiscally conservative Democrat.
What motivates her
VanRaaphorst said she was motivated to run for the House seat after she met with McMillin last fall.
She said she became concerned about some of the legislation he was promoting — specifically, his Lightbulb Freedom Bill and an amendment to the state's Elliot-Larsen Civil Rights Act that would void some local civil rights ordinances.
She decided to attend one of McMillin's in-district office hours events and speak to him about her concerns.
"I wasn't happy with his answers, so I decided to run against him," she said.
VanRaaphorst said the response from the community has been supportive.
"I know so many intelligent people here who in the past voted all Democrat or all Republican. But if they hear me out, hear who I am — maybe I can flip a switch in them.
"I feel that the more McMillin gets in the news, the more people will start to say he is not good enough," she said.
"He is selling our citizens short."
Priorities
VanRaaphorst said she is first and foremost focused on Rochester.
"Tom McMillin is hardworking. I don't argue with that," she said. "But we are paying him a lot of money from Rochester, and I think he needs to focus a lot more on Rochester."
She is also focused on education issues. Her sister is a teacher, and she talks to her almost daily about struggles and triumphs in the classroom.
"In my opinion, McMillin is working actively against our public schools," VanRaaphorst said.
McMillin was named chair of the House Education Committee in the fall. Shortly after that, the Legislature passed a measure that would remove the cap on charter schools in the state.
VanRaaphorst said she is not necessarily against charter schools, but she is mostly concerned about funding for public schools.
"You can't expect great schools and keep taking their funding," she said.
Not a typical candidate
VanRaaphorst doesn't have political experience. "I'm not a cookie-cutter candidate," she said.
But she considers that an asset.
"I think I can go in and look at government like any citizen," she said.
"I've learned the basic ways of listening to your community, and I can go to Lansing and make these things happen for the district," she said.
"You need all walks of life (in the Legislature). You can't just have lawyers and CPAs (certified public accountants) and insurance executives. You need a variety of perspectives."
VanRaaphorst is a founding member of the Rochester Women's Fund. She is also involved with Rochester Area Youth Assistance and has been involved with the Rochester Area Neighborhood House and the Friends of the Rochester Hills Public Library.
She calls herself frugal and said her campaign will be "a grassroots campaign for a grassroots person."
"Everybody counts in this town," she said. "The person who checks out my groceries at Hollywood Market is just as important as a City Council member."
For more about VanRaaphorst, visit JoannaForRochester.com.
In This article
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Crittenton Hospital Medical Center
1101 W University Dr, Rochester, MI -
Hollywood Supermarket
1495 N Rochester Rd, Rochester, MI
dk
7:52 am on Friday, January 20, 2012
Yahoo. Count me in - where do I sign up to help. About time we had someone who was trying to bring our tax money to Rochester rather than giving it away to out-of-state, for profit charters and business cronies. If what McMillin is doing is representing Rochester constituents, I'd hate to see what he'd do if he wasn't. McMillin and all the rest of the Tea Partiers need to go. There is no such thing as a free lunch, and some things - like our kids - our worth paying for.
June Hopaluk
10:59 am on Friday, January 20, 2012
Joanna has bounding energy. She is a hard worker and a true community supporter. I am proud to support her and will be knocking on doors for her.
Beth Kudla
11:47 am on Friday, January 20, 2012
We are so lucky to have such a strong intelligent woman truly stand up for our community and our needs. You have my vote Joanna!
Geri McLean
3:26 pm on Friday, January 20, 2012
Joanna will be great for this community! She has a lot of energy, very down to earth, and hardworking. She has my vote!!!!!
Mary Howarth
5:28 pm on Friday, January 20, 2012
Joanna has the kind of commitment to the Rochester area that is terribly lacking in McMillan. His stand on education is an embarrassment to the fine schools we have in this area. With her energy, our district can only be a winner!
Kathy Ruedisueli
6:13 pm on Friday, January 20, 2012
I as well will support Joanna! My husband and I have been life long residents of Rochester and we both received a quality education from the RCS school,district. I fear that Mr. McMillin does not share one of the things we hold sacred which is the quality education received from the RCS. I will be encouraging all my friends and family to support Joanna.
Stacia Ford
6:45 pm on Friday, January 20, 2012
Tom McMillin has never answered one of my letters asking why he should be making decisions for children in public schools when his own children don't even attend public schools. His actions show that he believes that public schools are for other people's children, not his own. Joanna sounds like a wonderful breath of fresh air who is dedicated to funneling money back into, instead of away from Rochester. It is recklessly short-sighted to continue to cut back funding to schools.
Bill Monroe
7:24 pm on Friday, January 20, 2012
where does he send his children to school?
Rich
2:02 pm on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
He held a public forum at the Roch City hall on the 16th. Did you bother to attend ? Maybe he doesn't want his kids indoctrinated by the gaggle of "social progressives" in the public schools ? Will more money fix that or make it worse ??
Clara T
12:16 am on Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Did you also write letters to Barack Obama or the 38 percent of the US House of Representatives or 44 percent of the US Senate who choose to send their own children to private schools because they best meet the personal needs of their children and families?
What about the one in five public school teachers who send their own children to private schools? Are you suggesting that these individuals are somehow less committed to public education than their peers whose children attend public schools?
Exercising one’s right to school choice has absolutely nothing to do with legislating responsible, sustainable public policies for public schools.
Sarah McMahon
8:43 pm on Friday, January 20, 2012
I copied this from her site
CTE Joanna VanRaaphorst
5900 Southgate Rd
Rochester, MI 48306
Karen S.
8:54 pm on Friday, January 20, 2012
As a retired Rochester educator, and a former teacher of one of Joanna's children, I have first-hand knowledge not only of her support for teachers and RCS as a whole, but the value she and her husband place on a quality education. Joanna's priorities are very clear, and she
will be be invested and involved. Love her straight forward platform without all the political posturing!
Kathleen VanPoppelen
10:04 am on Saturday, January 21, 2012
I have known Joanna all her life (literally as she is my younger sister). Joanna will put all her energy into representing us and staying focused on local concerns. Her marketing skills will be useful as she will find out what is needed, keep communication open to her constituents and make it happen. Her history of donating financially and more importantly giving her time to various charities speaks for itself. Our political views differ on some issues but I am so confident that Joanna will represent all of us that I am supporting her campaign, will work on her campaign, and then attend her victory party in November!
sandy maclean
5:05 pm on Monday, January 23, 2012
Sandy Maclean
Joanna is a motivated concerned citizen of our community with boundless energy. Her interest in providing continued quality public education to our children encouraged me to jump on the bandwagon to elect Joanna to our state legislature. Being a fair minded individual, I feel she will be able to address the issues at hand and make decisions based on what is best for her community and county. Where do I buy my ticket for her victory party in November?
Janet McBride
8:32 pm on Monday, January 23, 2012
Joanna is passionate and committed. She cares deeply about education and families. She has donated her time and her energy in so many ways to help children and families. Joanna will be a great representative and will truly represent our community.
Jeanne Michaels
12:41 am on Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Joanna is full of energy and vision, and has the practicality, sensibility, and can-do attitude that will see her through any task in front of her. As her cousin, I can attest to the fact that these are not just trumped-up praises, but traits that have followed her all her life. I recommend her all the way from Oregon! She would be a valuable asset to the State of Michigan.
ceecee
6:53 pm on Monday, July 16, 2012
I've heard Joanna speak to several groups and was very impressed with her progressive, positive and polite attitude. She will be a bright star in the Michigan Legislature!
Rich
1:53 pm on Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Sister and Mother were/are teachers ? Fiscally conservative Democrat (LOL) ? Forget it - she is "in bed" with the MEA supporting unsustainable public union salaries, benefits and demands. Gov Snyder is turning this state around - she would stand in his way..
Connie Moore
8:44 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Connie Moore
Joanna is a very kind, caring, energetic and highly self motivated person. I think it's time we vote for someone who is passionate about the people in the community and not just for their re-election. I believe that Joanna will stand up for what is the right thing to do and proud to say that I support her.
Rich
10:32 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
The "right thing" for who ? All citizens, or just the special interest public union groups who are squeezing the life-blood out of this state ?
Robert Gauthier
9:51 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Rich why you being such a Richard?
Rich
10:28 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012
Is that the best you can do ? My 5th grader could come-up with something better. Are you representative of the average intelligence of a smiley-face supporter ?