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Tate Selected to Lead State House; Becomes Michigan’s First African American Speaker

Photo: Eric Seals via Imagn / USA Today

LANSING, November 15, 2022 ~ Democrat State Representative Joe Tate has been selected by his peers to lead the Michigan State House, becoming the state’s first African American speaker.

Tate represents Michigan’s 2nd House District, a diverse community that in part covers Detroit’s lower east side, the city where he was born and raised. His mother, a Detroit public school teacher, and his father, a Detroit firefighter, inspired their son to a life of service by instilling within him the values of giving back and serving others.

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November 15, 2022 ~ State Representative Joe Tate talks with Kevin and Tom about being the upcoming Michigan Speaker of the House and the legislature next year.

(CONTINUED) Through his scholarship to play football at Michigan State University, Tate went on to play two seasons in the NFL before joining the Marine Corps and serving two tours of duty in Afghanistan.

After the Marines, Tate returned home to earn a Master’s in Business Administration and a Master of Science in Environmental Policy and Planning from the University of Michigan. He then worked to help small businesses as a program manager for the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation before being elected twice to serve in the Michigan State House.

I think the voters expressed their power last Tuesday,” said Representative Tate to 760 WJR’s Tom Jordan and Kevin Dietz. “How are we building healthy communities, investing in education, improving our infrastructure…that is what you will see from us.”

Tate says that the legislative priorities for the Democrat-controlled congress will include gun laws, renewable energy, education, bringing business and investments into the state, and more, all while creating more transparency in government.

The 102 Michigan Legislature gavels into control January 13, 2023.

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