State Representative Roy Schmidt (Grand Rapids) has a long
history of public service. During his 16 years as a Grand Rapids city commissioner, Schmidt built his reputation on
listening to residents and taking their concerns seriously, and these continue to be top priorities to him as a state
legislator.
"I am here to serve our residents – it's that simple," Schmidt said. "We are facing a number of challenges in Michigan, and we undoubtedly have some hard choices to make. Only by listening to our residents can I truly make the best decisions for our community and make Michigan a great place to live, work, do business and raise a family."
Health care reform is a top concern for Schmidt during his first term. As a member of the Health Policy Committee, he plays a crucial role in determining the health care legislation that reaches the House floor.
Before coming to the House, Schmidt worked as a sales representative for Wyeth Inc. He served as president for many of his 16 years on the Grand Rapids City Commission, and was also a board member and president of the West Grand Neighborhood Organizations. Schmidt and his wife, Donna, live in Grand Rapids and have three sons, Eric, Ryan and Tyler.